Mez looks ready; Couturier misses practice
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Mez looks ready; Couturier misses practice
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Based on Saturday's practice in Voorhees, it appears defenseman Andrej Meszaros will return to the lineup Sunday night in New Jersey, and that center Sean Couturier will sit out the game.
Meszaros was paired with Andreas Lilja for most of Saturday's practice; he sometimes was with Erik Gustafsson.
It appears Meszaros will be with Lilja, and that Gustafsson will be a healthy scratch.
Meszaros hasn't played since March 1; he had back surgery on March 21.
After practice, Meszaros would not say whether he is playing.
"You want to be out there," Meszaros said. "....But I've got a lot of years ahead of me, and it's a tough decision."
Couturier injured his leg in Thursday''s 4-3 OT loss. He skated for a few minutes before practice Saturday, but was not with the team at practice.
Coach Peter Laviolette juggled the lines at Saturday's session. Afterward, he said not to put much stock into them. Here is how they looked:
JVR-G-Simmonds.
Hartnell-Briere-Voracek.
Read-Schenn-Jagr.
Rinaldo-Talbot-Wellwood.
Sucks losing Couts but at least he skated a bit hopefully he comes back next week. This series isnt over by far dont care what some of these fairweather fans say. Get the win tomorrow and bring some momentm home!— shanehockey28- This team has full capability to winthe Cup this year. Tomorrow a good test of will...I believe the team will pass with "Flying" colors!— JBP
- They Flyers can still win this series easily if they decide to compete hader and put pucks on net. Brodeur has been very average. I don't like Lavy mixing up the lines, it smells like a panick move on his part. He should stay with wants worked.— dman74
- The Devils are quicker and press the Flyers in their own end everytime. It doesn't look good for the cup this year (again)— farley
- Why not just dress 7 d-men since we all know Rinaldo is going to play for about 3-4 minutes, and Mez can't have much stamina.— FlyerAdam30
- I like that Hartnell, Briere, Voracek line. Briere and Vorecek have been lethal together and Hartnell has well known chemistry there as well— plowboy7250
- Lilja should be the healthly scratch.— kadhia
- I like the first two lnes but Jagr-Schenn-Read seems like a defensive nightmare! With Mez back the PP just got another big shot from the point.— Fabulous
- It would be nice to get Sestito back in the the line-up to keep things interesting!— quigly46
- Liija is slow and passive. He's exploited almost every time he's on the ice. Scratch him, not the kid, who at least has wheels.— eagle1971
- More Jam = More Forechecking— Diamond Jim Brady
- This is why we never develop defensemen!!!, the kid makes 1 mistake(it was bound to happen sooner or later) and now hes a healthy scratch....I know some veterans that should sit if mistakes are the criteria.....— CROSSI
- If they sit Gus, it's because of a lack of size. The Devils have played a very physical game and Lilja surely can play the body. Just like Mesz and Rinaldo. We already have one smallish defenseman in Kimmo and Lavy wants to fire the guys up a little I guess.— flyerdommo
- people wonder why homer didnt win executive of the year.two reasons,Bryzgalov 2nd highest player in league at 10 mill and trading for Kubina.— sammydelphia
- Lavy is a joke...how can you play Lilja...how? He is awful slow and can't pass. This is why we are losing, b/c Lavy's adjustments are atrocious. He was slow in the Boston series to match up with Krejci's line, he is getting hammered by the Devils forecheck and we have zero adjustments...his line changes have cost us two games....I'm at a loss on why this guy does not get more scrutiny...b/c he calls a timeout in the 1st period? He's done an above average job with the rookies, but his preparation and in game strategies are awful...plain and simple. Someone please explain to me that I'm off base, b/c I want to root for the guy.
