Sean Couturier did everything he could to help his team pull off an upset against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. But even playing through a serious injury wasn’t enough to get the job done.
The Flyers received a scare when defenceman Radko Gudas collided with the 25-year-old in practice. Couturier was forced to miss Game 4 but was able to return to close out the series. After the Flyers were officially eliminated, the team announced their prized forward played through a torn MCL. The injury does not require surgery but would have sidelined Couturier for four weeks.
Wow.
The news is especially eye-opening when you consider Couturier recorded five points in Game 6. He also scored the game-winning goal in Philadelphia’s 4-2 win over Pittsburgh in Game 5.
Couturier isn’t the first to play through a torn MCL and likely won’t be the last. San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton played through a torn ACL and MCL during the 2017 postseason.
Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images
More recently, New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist revealed he won’t be competing in the 2018 IIHF World Championship after playing through a torn MCL injury during the 2017-18 season.
In the playoffs, players will seemingly do anything for a chance at winning the Stanley Cup. Hockey fans will likely agree the 2011 first round pick deserves nothing but respect for his toughness.
(H/T Bob McKenzie)
