Tyson Foerster returned to the Flyers lineup Thursday and scored in his first game back after missing 49 games with an upper-body injury, a comeback that came after he was initially expected to sit out the rest of the season.
Foerster had not played since Dec. 1, when he was hurt on the follow-through of a one-timer against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He underwent surgery in mid-December and spent the next four months in rehab skating before finally getting back on the ice against the Detroit Red Wings.
Foerster said he thought he would be out for the whole season, though he kept joking with teammates that he might return for the stretch run. He said the moment it really hit him came when the starting lineup was announced and the fans roared, making his return feel real.
The goal was more than a personal milestone. Foerster entered the night with 11 goals and 14 points in 24 games, and in three games since his return he has one goal and eight shots. For a Flyers team that has missed his finish and puck sense, the timing matters now because it gives them another scorer as the schedule tightens.
Philadelphia also slotted Foerster on his off-wing with Trevor Zegras down the middle and Owen Tippett on the right, and the combination produced immediate results. In a little more than 28 minutes together at five-on-five, the trio generated 25 shot attempts, 10 shots, 14 scoring chances and two goals for, while also being on the ice for two goals against.
Coach Rick Tocchet called Foerster a real smart player and a real glue guy for the Flyers, praising the way he can keep a shift alive in the corner and make the simple play under pressure. He also pointed to the fit with Tippett, saying one player flies while Foerster can make a play or shoot under pressure.
Foerster said the line has been fun and believes it can battle a little. After four months away, the only thing that looked out of place Thursday was how quickly he fit back in.
