Flyers Without Foerster, Ristolainen for Stadium Series Game vs Devils

All signs point to the Philadelphia Flyers being without a key duo against the New Jersey Devils.

Winger Tyson Foerster (minor lower-body) and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (minor upper-body) were not present for Friday’s practice at MetLife Stadium ahead of Saturday’s Stadium Series game against the Devils, which all but rules them out for that game.

The Flyers announced on Wednesday that Foerster would need a “few extra days”, while no timetable was able to be provided on Ristolainen’s return. Both players played in last Saturday’s Flyers game against the Seattle Kraken and have yet to practice in any capacity since. Foerster is suspected to have gotten injured blocking a shot in the 3-2 win.

It is unclear where or when Ristolainen suffered his upper-body injury.

“Someone else fills in, that’s the way it works,’ head coach John Tortorella said of the team’s situation on defense. “We have eight D. That gives other guys other opportunities for ice time. We just go about it; injuries are part of it.”

Cam York, who left Thursday’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs early, told the media after Friday’s practice at MetLife Stadium that he’s “not sure” if he’ll play on Saturday. If he doesn’t, the Flyers will be forced to move away from their preferred 11-forward, seven-defensemen lineup in favor of the standard 12 forwards and six defensemen.

New Flyers captain Sean Couturier suffered a stinger after an uncalled, blatant slash by Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi but will be good to go for Saturday’s Stadium Series game against New Jersey.

Both Ristolainen and Foerster were hopefuls to return by the weekend, but the Flyers will now have to make do without them.