It has been a long and winding road back for Sean Couturier.
Following nearly two lost seasons and two surgeries on his back, Couturier looks healthy.
The forward scored a goal for the first time since Dec. 10, 2021 and the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 on Tuesday.
The Flyers will now look for their second consecutive victory when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
“Obviously I dream about scoring goals in the NHL, but coming into the game I just focus on doing the little details right, play the right way and lead by example, and chances will come, points will come,” Couturier said. “Just got to stick to it.”
Couturier’s goal came on a rare penalty shot as he was slashed by Vancouver forward Elias Pettersson.
“He’s missed a long time and for him to come back and work his way back and play the way he’s playing right now,” said goaltender Carter Hart after stopping all 25 shots for his sixth career shutout. “He’s a huge part of our team and a leader. He’s been here for a long time, and we look to him for leadership and he’s done an amazing job.
“He’s got a tremendous work ethic to work all the way back after not playing for that long and he’s come in like he hasn’t missed a beat.”
Egor Zamula also notched his first career goal in the National Hockey League.
Hart took care of the rest.
“We did an unbelievable job just keeping the pressure on them,” Hart said. “Establishing our forecheck, throwing pucks to the net and generating some chances off rebounds and making some plays. We played really well tonight.”
After being swept in a home-and-home matchup with the Canucks to open the season, the Oilers bounced back in a big way.
The Oilers were dominant from start to finish in a 6-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman each picked up four points and goaltender Jack Campbell made 42 saves.
Draisaitl scored his 127th and 128th career power-play goals which catapulted him past Glenn Anderson and Ryan Smyth for the Oilers’ all-time franchise record.
Draisaitl has scored in all three games this season.
“Obviously, I’m proud of it,” Draisaitl said of the record. “I’ll take it, but with that being said I’m very well aware of how much four other guys on that unit look out for me and put me into great spots.”
Hyman was also stellar with one goal and three assists as the Oilers put relentless pressure on the Predators.
“I felt pretty good today, and I thought our line was good on the forecheck and getting pucks back,” Hyman said. “I think it was important to establish our five-on-five game, and I thought we did a good job with that.”
The Oilers, who are stocked with talent, didn’t panic after the two losses to Vancouver.
Now they’ll aim to even their record against the Flyers.
“No one scripted starting 0-2, but things happen,” Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I think what you do is you try and maintain a level head. You do your work and you make sure you’re addressing the areas that you’ve got to get better at.”
–Field Level Media
