The Philadelphia Flyers are facing the rival New York Rangers without one of their best forwards, Travis Konecny, who is out of the contest with an undisclosed injury.
Coach John Tortorella confirmed before the game that the 2024 All-Star would not dress for the game after sustaining the injury in practice and is deploying veteran defenseman Marc Staal in his stead.
Konecny, who paces the Flyers in goals (27), assists (27), and points (54), had not missed a game in 2023-24 before the injury. His ailment will bring back bad memories for Philadelphia fans, who saw the 26-year-old’s breakout campaign cut short by injury last season.
Though ‘TK’ is not in the lineup for Saturday’s contest, rookie Tyson Foerster returned to the fold after missing four games with a foot injury. The rookie has had ups and downs on offense (10G, 21P in 52GP) but is one of the Flyers’ top play drivers.
The timetable of Konecny’s injury could have implications for Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere’s trade deadline strategy. If the Flyers star is out long-term, his team may adopt an aggressive selling strategy despite their 7-point cushion in the Metropolitan Division’s third playoff berth.
The contradictory nature of the Flyers’ possible return to the playoffs during a rebuild has made their strategy at the deadline one of the most intriguing storylines in the NHL.
Before then, Philadelphia will work on dispatching the white-hot Rangers, winners of their last eight and second in the league in points. Former Flyers bench boss Peter Laviolette has established the Rangers as a powerhouse in the East despite ample injury concerns of their own.
Even without perpetual agitator Konecny, there have already been fireworks between the teams in the form of a nasty scrap between Flyers enforcer Nic Deslauriers and Rangers rookie Matt Rempe. There is no score in the game through nearly a period.
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