Flyers' Gostisbehere makes season debut vs. Devils

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was removed from the club's COVID-19 protocol list, the team announced Tuesday.

A few hours later, the club confirmed Gostisbehere has been reunited with Ivan Provorov on the blue line, meaning the rearguard nicknamed "Ghost" will make his season debut against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Gostibehere ultimately cracked the starting lineup alongside Provorov, his usual defense partner.

The 27-year-old previously tested positive for COVID-19 and rejoined the Flyers at practice Monday for the first time since Jan. 8.

Gostisbehere is looking to rebound from a down season in which he recorded a career-low 12 points through 42 contests. He was made a healthy scratch early in 2019-2020 and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January, which kept him out of the lineup for 14 games down the stretch.

He ranks first in points (153) and power-play goals (14) and second in total goals (34) among Flyers blue-liners since the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

Philadelphia will hope Gostisbehere can provide a defensive boost, as the Flyers rank 25th in goals against per game (3.50) heading into Tuesday's action.

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