Scott Laughton and Oskar Lindblom officially off COVID list after practicing Friday

The Philadelphia Flyers are almost back to full strength. Scott Laughton and Oskar Lindblom were removed from the NHL COVID Protocol list on Friday.

Earlier this week, the Flyers got back captain Claude Giroux and Justin Braun from the NHL COVID Protocol list. Giroux was able to practice Tuesday and play Wednesday night, while Braun skated Wednesday and will return this weekend.

Claude Giroux reminded everyone just how good he is Wednesday night

Jakub Voracek was removed from the COVID list on Thursday and, as expected, returned to practice on Friday.

We speculated this morning that the Flyers could get multiple players back from COVID-related absences this weekend. That appears to be the case.

Both Scott Laughton and Oskar Lindblom practiced today and are officially off the NHL COVID Protocol list.

Reinforcements are on their way. #AnytimeAnywhere pic.twitter.com/G0UFosbR2M

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 26, 2021

Friday was also Voracek’s first practice with the team since quarantining.

“It feels good to be back with the boys after being locked in a room for 14 days,” Voracek said. “It could have been worse. I’m glad I only missed three games and I’m ready to get back on track tomorrow.”

It was expected that Voracek would be ready for this weekend’s games, but getting Laughton and Lindblom back is a huge plus. Now the only Flyers player on the COVID list is Travis Konecny.

“It’s nice getting everyone back,” Nolan Patrick said. “We’re missing TK still and we can’t wait for him to return. These guys bring a ton of energy and it was a fun skate.”

Lineup notes

Patrick was one of the players that benefited from a top-heavy lineup on Wednesday night. It looks like his line with Claude Giroux and Kevin Hayes may stay intact, too.

Lindblom, Laughton, and Voracek all practiced as the Flyers’ third line in Friday’s practice. With Voracek saying that he’s ready to go for Saturday, Lindblom and Laughton will likely be ready as well.

Defenseman Justin Braun will also be ready to go for Saturday’s game. He practiced on a pair with Travis Sanheim on Friday. Unfortunately, that may mean that Philippe Myers is a healthy scratch on Saturday after a weak performance on Wednesday night. We’ll have to wait and see.

The Flyers are getting their depth back at just the right time. They start a stretch of 19 games in 33 days with a back-to-back this weekend in Buffalo.

Photo: Heather Barry Images