Couturier healthy scratch for Flyers against Maple Leafs

PHILADELPHIA -- Sean Couturier was a healthy scratch for the Philadelphia Flyers in a 4-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday.

"I guess we're going with the best lineup available tonight to get a win," Couturier said prior to the game. "So, it is what it is. ... I've got to leave my ego aside, I guess, and hopefully team finds a way to get a win here tonight and I can get back into [the lineup] soon."

The center is sixth on the Flyers with 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 64 games. However, he has one goal in his past 27 games, and his ice time has dipped to 14:10 per game in his past 10, down from 19:25 in his first 54.

"It's tough," Couturier said. "I feel like I've been putting the work in for a while and I've been struggling, trying to work on my game. Definitely frustrated with the way I've been treated [lately], I guess, but it is what it is."

Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said Monday that Couturier was one of several players he was looking to see more from.

"For me, I don't care the name, the stature, veteran, especially this time of year," Tortorella said. "I don't care who you are, I'm going to put the guys that give us the best chance to win that particular game. You certainly have discussions. And they have a right to disagree, they have a right to have a discussion with me, and I think that's how you develop a relationship within a team during a long year."

However, Couturier said he wasn't exactly sure what that means.

"I've gotten the same answers as you guys, just need to see more," he said. "Still looking to find out what that is, but I'm trying every game. It's not like I'm just sitting around or doing nothing."

Tortorella said Monday he wasn't concerned with how Couturier was handling the diminishing ice time.

"I'll never worry about him as far as effort, as far as attitude," Tortorella said. "He is a pro. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I'm not worried about that. I need him to be better, that's all."

The Flyers (35-26-8) are third in the Metropolitan Division, three points ahead of the Washington Capitals.