Tyler Pitlick of the Flyers checks Mathew Barzal of the Islanders during the first period in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday in Toronto. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
When the Islanders and Flyers both lost their first-line centers, Mathew Barzal and Sean Couturier, late in Game 5 of their second-round NHL playoff series, it provided a stark reminder: It still is dangerous out there!
Both teams were hoping for the best from the centers as they prepared for Game 6 on Thursday night, but preparing for the worst. Barzal was in the lineup, but Couturier was not.