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Lecavalier has great game following demotion to fourth line

Toronto Maple Leafs v Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 28: Vincent Lecavalier #40 of the Philadelphia Flyers is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rich Schultz

Vincent Lecavalier seemed upset when he found himself paired up with Zac Rinaldo and Adam Hall on the fourth line during Philadelphia’s Friday morning skate, but the move worked in last night’s 4-2 victory over Toronto.

Flyers coach Craig Berube was very pleased with Lecavalier’s line and the 33-year-old forward, who also shifted from the wing to center, admitted that he felt more comfortable playing up the middle.

“I have to give credit to my teammates,” Lecavalier said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We were close (to scoring) a few times.”

As a line they didn’t find the back of the net, but Lecavalier scored on a one-timer during Philadelphia’s first power play of the game:

“I didn’t even see the shot,” teammate Wayne Simmonds remarked. “Normally I have time to get to the front of the net. I wasn’t even halfway there. It was in and out before I even got there, so it was an unbelievable shot.”

Like Berube, Simmonds was impressed with how well Lecavalier responded to his assignment as the team’s fourth-line center.

It remains to be seen if Lecavalier’s strong performance will lead to the lines getting shaken up again, but either way, if Berube’s goal was to spark him, then it looks like he succeeded.

Follow @RyanDadoun