Nick Cousins replacing Sean Couturier as Flyers' No. 2 center

TAMPA - Nick Cousins is getting the first crack at replacing Sean Couturier as the Flyers' second-line center.

Couturier will miss four to six weeks with a knee injury, suffered early in the second period of Tuesday's 3-1 win against Florida.

On Wednesday, Cousins will center Travis Konecny and Wayne Simmonds against host Tampa Bay at 7:40 p.m.

Coach Dave Hakstol said he liked Cousins' results when he played on the second line Tuesday. He contributed a power-play goal in the game.

"I thought Cuz did an excellent job at both ends of the rink," Hakstol said before Wednesday's game. "You take a look and break down all the small parts of the game, Cuz did an excellent job."

Scott Laughton, promoted from the Phantoms earlier in the day (see story), will assume Cousins' old position as the fourth-line center. Laughton will center Chris VandeVelde and Dale Weise.

Cousins and Laughton are also slated for some penalty-killing time, Hakstol said.

Goalie Steve Mason will make his fifth straight start.

Hakstol had wanted to get Anthony Stolarz into one of the back-to-back games, but Mason played so well Tuesday that he is back in the nets.

"This could have been a good opportunity for Stolie," Hakstol said. "Certainly, we have confidence to go with them, but....Mase's game was so strong last night and he needs to be rewarded to start again."

Hakstol made it seem like Laughton would get a long look.

"I don't expect this to be a one-game stint," he said.

Laughton suffered a knee injury in the preseason and went to the Phantoms, where he had eight points in eight games.

He said he "played in the middle of the ice, where I was comfortable" with Lehigh Valley.

"I'm just get excited to get the opportunity and prove that I can play in this league," said Laughton, who was notified of his promotion on Tuesday night.