Flyers’ Scott Laughton off to impressive start, Nolan Patrick’s return could be soon
The winger, who crashed hard into the boards in Saturday's game, was in the lineup Tuesday against Florida. He has been perhaps the Flyers' most pleasant surprise in the season's first two weeks.
Scott Laughton, the Flyers' most pleasant surprise in the season's first two weeks, shook off the effects of crashing into the boards Saturday and was in the lineup Tuesday against Florida.
In Saturday's 1-0 loss to Vegas, Laughton went hard into the wall after being denied on a shorthanded breakaway in the second period. He returned midway through the third period.
"No setbacks, so I feel good," Laughton, 24, said before Tuesday's 6-5 shootout win over Florida.
Laughton, who had become the Flyers' third-line left winger because of an injury to James van Riemsdyk, saw his season pass before his eyes briefly on Saturday.
"It's scary. I mean, I know I'm going to hit the boards," Laughton said before moving to center in Tuesday's second period, replacing Mikhail Vorobyev, and setting up a goal. "I've had a couple nasty falls in my career. … It's a tough play because you're helpless. You're not going in feet-first, where you can put our feet in and [dull the impact]. I'm just really fortunate my head's OK and everything is good to go."
Laughton and Claude Giroux are second on the Flyers with three goals, behind Wayne Simmonds' five tallies.
"I feel comfortable out there. Feel confident skating and moving my feet with the puck," said Laughton, the Flyers' first-round selection (20th overall) in the 2012 draft. "The biggest thing is continuing that pace and that speed and playing with it for the whole year. I'm just comfortable in my role right now and knowing what they want from me. It definitely helps being on the penalty kill and getting the minutes."
Playing on the penalty kill "gets you into a rhythm," Laughton said. "You start sweating and you're playing more minutes. Even though you're not touching the puck like the guys who go out on the power play, I take a lot of pride in that role."
Patrick getting closer
Center Nolan Patrick skated again Tuesday and appears to be almost ready to return. It wouldn't be surprising if he is in the lineup Thursday in Columbus.
MacDonald benched
Flyers defenseman Andrew MacDonald was benched and replaced by Christian Folin, who was paired with Robert Hagg. In five games, MacDonald had one assist and was minus-1.
In Tuesday's win, Folin had an assist, delivered three hits, and was plus-4.
Breakaways
Center/winger Corban Knight was activated but was a healthy scratch. Knight's number was changed from 38 to 10. … Travis Konecny has not scored in the first six games but has hit iron three times. "He has to stay with what he's doing; he's getting good opportunities," coach Dave Hakstol said before Konecny had an assist and four shots Tuesday.