Dale Weise back into Flyers' lineup for injured Jordan Weal

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The Flyers' lineup will see a few changes tonight against the visiting Penguins, but not just because head coach Dave Hakstol is looking for some kind of spark with the team's playoff hopes on life support.

Hakstol will be forced to make changes because of an injury.

Winger Jordan Weal will miss Wednesday's game with what GM Ron Hextall called a lower-body injury. Weal is considered day to day.

But one player's misfortune is another player's chance.

Dale Weise, who has sat out the last six games a healthy scratch, will draw back in vs. Pittsburgh.

Weise, who inked a four-year contract with the Flyers in the offseason, is itching to get back into the lineup and contribute. He has just two goals in the 50 games he's played this year.

"I've been scratched so many times this year, I guess you have a different mindset every time you come back in," said Weise, who's been a healthy scratch 15 times this season and was suspended for three more games for a high hit early in the year.

"First couple of times getting scratched, it's frustrating. You get a chip on your shoulder when you come back and you're motivated. When it happens so many times, you can get lost. It's really frustrating. ... I don't know what to tell you guys. It's the same thing. Play a couple games, sit out for a couple games. It's really hard to get into a rhythm that way."

Hakstol thinks Weise can help against a deep and speedy Penguins team.

"[Weise] brings a couple different things," Hakstol said. "He brings a little bit of speed to our lineup. We need a real good, tenacious two-way game out of him tonight. That's what we're looking for.

"We need a straight-lined, hard-nosed presence with some pace to it."

Since his call-up before the game vs. San Jose on Feb. 11, Weal has shown offensive talent for a Flyers team that has desperately needed it. Heading into Wednesday's game vs. their interstate rivals, the Flyers are averaging just 2.50 goals per game, good for just 24th in the league.

In 11 games this season, Weal has three goals and an assist. He's also had six games of three or more shots on net, so he's proven he's not afraid to fire away to try and make something happen.

Weal earned the trust of the coaching staff to the point where he was placed on the top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds for the last seven games, starting with the outdoor game in Pittsburgh on Feb. 25.

But with Weal out, Weise is prepared for his latest chance.

"Sometimes you lose your confidence and can't get in a rhythm," he said. "You see it happen to a ton of guys. ... Mentally, it definitely wears on you when you're in and out like that. Every time I come back in, I have a positive attitude. I mentally reset and try to go from there."

Hakstol said Weise will not take Weal’s spot on the top line. Nor will Nick Cousins, who skated with Giroux and Simmonds during Wednesday's morning skate. Cousins is expected to return Wednesday after he was a healthy scratch Monday in the loss to Columbus. Roman Lyubimov is expected to be the odd man out against the Pens.

Brayden Schenn could be the best candidate to slide up and take the top-line wing role.

"We’ve had tough lineup decisions to make all year and none of those are easy," Hakstol said.

Manning update
Brandon Manning participated in morning skate on Wednesday, but he's still day to day with nagging upper-body injuries and is not expected to play Wednesday against the Penguins.

According to CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio, Manning suffered the injuries Saturday in Boston during a first-period fight and then the injuries were exacerbated after he stayed in the game and absorbed hits.

"A couple things going on, so I'm just trying to get back to 100 percent and be at my best," Manning said. "I feel pretty good. But when you go out there and play, you need to be able to protect yourself and be able to compete and battle. I'm just not quite there yet."

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