The signs were there. The frustrations of the Flyers captain were on full display as the Flyers suffered a shootout loss on Thursday. His linemate Jake Voracek had just one goal in his previous 15 games – an empty-net goal in Washington on Feb. 8 – but scored a power-play goal on Thursday.
The struggles of the pair have forced the hand of Craig Berube. At Flyers practice on Friday, Claude Giroux and Voracek were on separate lines for the first time in nearly three seasons.
Giroux was centering the top line, now featuring Wayne Simmonds along with usual winger Michael Raffl. Voracek was on a line with Matt Read and Sean Couturier.
"Broken up. It sounds pretty sad," Giroux said. "I think we had a lot of chemistry in the past. After the last few games, I think we're trying to switch it up and see what we can do better."
"We haven't produced enough at 5-on-5 over the last few games," Voracek said. "Chief wanted to change it up a little bit. I'm all for it. You've got to try everything to make the playoffs."
Giroux is riding a 10-game goalless drought of his own, last scoring the overtime game-winner against Pittsburgh on Jan. 20. He has just three goals and nine assists since Jan. 1. Voracek has four goals and 10 assists since Jan. 1.
The change in lines comes as the Flyers prepare for stiff competition on the schedule. They host the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals in back-to-back games this weekend.
"I understand that they have to produce for our hockey team," Berube said. The result that they're looking for and I'm looking for are wins.
"It will loosen one of them up," Berube said. "I saw the two upcoming games and thought it was a good opportunity. Plus, they're a little cold right now."
Another change to the forward group was the addition of Zac Rinaldo. Rinaldo missed eight games with a suspension and was a healthy scratch for the last two games. He took the place of Vincent Lecavalier, who has been held without a goal in the last 19 games. Since Jan. 1, Lecavalier has six points in 21 games.
Defensively, Luke Schenn also played with the likely scratches for tomorrow's game and Andrew MacDonald was back among the regular six. MacDonald was paired with Nick Grossmann.
Lecavalier and Schenn have had similar struggles of late that go beyond the scoreboard. The Flyers have been burned by poor defensive play and turnovers all season and especially in the last four games.
The Flyers take on the Predators on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
