Flyers’ captain Sean Couturier expected to be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Maple Leafs

It looks like the Philadelphia Flyers will make their captain a healthy scratch on Tuesday night.

Sean Couturier, who was named team captain on Feb. 14, skated with the group of players who get extra work in on game days, indicating he’ll be a healthy scratch against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Flyers’ reporter Dylan H. Robillard first reported that Couturier may be a healthy scratch for Monday’s game. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has the highest cap hit on the Flyers with $7.75 million. He is in the second year of an eight-year deal extension, which lasts until the end of the 2029-30 campaign.

Couturier, 31, started the season strong, scoring nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in 31 games, solid production for someone who missed the entire 2022-23 season with injuries and only played 29 games in 2021-22.

But in his last 27 games, Couturier only has one goal, combined with eight assists for nine points. In his last nine games, Couturier has only recorded one assist and is averaging 14:04 of ice time, well below his season average of 18:36.

The Flyers are 34-26-8 with 76 points, third in the Metropolitan Division. They’re only one point ahead of the Washington Capitals, who currently hold onto the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and three points ahead of the New York Islanders, who have a game in hand on Philadelphia.

After their Tuesday match against the Maple Leafs, the Flyers are on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, then host the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.