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Flyers Swept by Hurricanes as Sean Couturier’s Reinvention Takes Center Stage

Coach Rick Tocchet said the captain “reinvented himself” by embracing a checking role with heavy defensive minutes.

Overview

  • The Flyers’ season ended in a second-round sweep by top-seeded Carolina, with Game 4 closing a breakout run that started with a Round 1 win over Pittsburgh.
  • Head coach Rick Tocchet praised captain Sean Couturier, saying he “had to reinvent himself” and “played excellent down the stretch.”
  • After the Olympic break, Couturier took a checking-line job and at times shifted to wing, logging penalty-kill time and key defensive-zone draws.
  • The change followed a 29-game goal drought and a minus-7 stretch that fueled worries about his back surgeries and his $62 million contract.
  • Fans responded with a standing ovation and long “Cooooooots” chants as Couturier shook each teammate’s hand at the bench.