Voracek Hopes Move to Left Wing Gets him Going

VOORHEES — At this point, Jake Voracek is open to any idea that helps him put more pucks in the net.

An epic streak is continuing as last year’s leading scorer for the Flyers has one solitary goal on the season and none in his last 13 games. So the latest maneuver to help the Czech star score is to move across the ice.

The usual right winger is now on the left wing with Sean Couturier in the center of the ice and Wayne Simmonds on the right side.

“Something has got to get me going,” Voracek said. “I mean, this can’t last for much longer. Obviously it’s going to be a big difference, but I would say I’m a good enough hockey player to adjust to that. I’ve just got to find a way.”

(Listen to Dave Isaac discuss Jake Voracek's move to left wing, the goalie situation and how to handle the Shayne Gostisbehere situation)

As much as coach Dave Hakstol denies that the lineup switch is simply to put Voracek in a better decision to score, there’s really no other reason to have broken up Couturier, Simmonds and Matt Read, which has been the team’s best puck-possession line recently.

“It’s a small change with our personnel,” the first-year coach said. “Just looking to try to improve some of the little things we’re doing. I think with Jake going in there, it changes the look of that line a little bit. I don’t think it gives up a lot defensively. Maybe we can find a little more chemistry offensively.”