Overview
- Coach Rick Tocchet said he does not think the issue is long term but acknowledged the timeline is unknown.
- Couturier played 15:23 in Wednesday’s overtime win in Anaheim and took the opening OT faceoff, with no clear play indicating an injury.
- Luke Glendening is in consideration to handle the center spot with Couturier out, though Tocchet listed him among game-time decisions.
- Noah Cates is poised for increased minutes, with penalty-kill duties likely redistributed to Cates and Christian Dvorak and potential faceoff work for Trevor Zegras.
- The absence comes during a down season for Couturier, who has seven goals in 66 games and has recently been used in a bottom-six role.