PITTSBURGH – Sean Couturier, usually the Flyers’ first-line center, returned to the lineup Friday but was placed on the third line between wingers Scott Laughton and Wayne Simmonds.
The Flyers were facing elimination in Game 5 in Pittsburgh.
Couturier, 25, missed the previous game because of apparent right-knee injury. At Friday’s morning skate, he did more skating than in his previous two days.
“It was a good day,” said Couturier, who still isn’t at 100 percent.
It was decided he would play after he took part in the pre-game warm-ups.
Couturier set career highs in goals (31), assists (45) and points (76) this season, finishing with a plus-34 rating and becoming a Selke finalist as the league’s best defensive forward.