Six years ago, 19-year-old Sean Couturier had the unenviable task of trying to defend Evgeni Malkin in the Flyers' opening-round series against Pittsburgh. Malkin, the Hart and Art Ross winner that season, scored eight points (three goals and five assists). Despite that, Couturier won the matchup and the Flyers won the series in six wild games.
Couturier recorded a hat trick in Game 2, the youngest player to accomplish the feat in a playoff game in 67 years, and frustrated Malkin to the point the Russian took a two-handed slash to the back of the rookie's legs. These days, Couturier is centering the Flyers' top line with Claude Giroux and could expect to see a lot of Sidney Crosby in this year's first round series against the Penguins, which begins Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena.
This time around, Malkin might be going up against another Philadelphia youngster: Nolan Patrick.
The second overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft told reporters after Monday's practice at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., that he would welcome the opportunity.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a challenge,’’ Patrick said . “(Malkin) is one of the best centermen in the league. Just try to embrace it and match up as best as I can.’’
Patrick, who was selected behind only the Devils' Nico Hischier last summer, has enjoyed a solid but unspectacular first season, recording 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists). After playing in 73 regular season games, he said he's ready for the second season to begin.
“I’m more excited than I would be nervous,’’ Patrick said. “I know everything ramps up at playoff time but I’m excited to get going.’’
If Patrick doesn't get the Malkin assignment, the Flyers might go with veteran Valtteri Filppula. Either way, coach Dave Hakstol wasn't tipping his hand.
“It might change from game to game,’’ Hakstol said. “Most importantly, it’s going to be each and every player’s focus and level of play from shift to shift, regardless of who (Malkin) is playing against.’’
• It appears Hakstol will use the same lineup from Saturday's playoff-clinching win over the Rangers. The Flyers used the following lines and combinations:
Giroux-Couturier-Raffl
Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek
Konecny-Filppula-Simmonds
Laughton-Lehtera-Read
Provorov-Gostisbehere
Sanheim-MacDonald
Manning-Gudas
• The Flyers will practice Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. in Pittsburgh.