|
Meltzer's Musings: Workload, Goalie Home Ice Edge, Raffl and More |
|
|
|
|
|
POST-PRACTICE UPDATES: FEB. 3
After taking an off-day on Monday, the Flyers resumed practice on Tuesday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. The Metropolitan Division leading New York Islanders come to town on Thursday.
The Flyers featured a new line at Tuesday's practice, as Scott Laughton centered a line with Ryan White on left wing and Wayne Simmonds on right wing. Laughton should be a go for Thursday night after missing seven games due to a concussion.
Flyers coach Craig Berube said he likes the combination of speed and grit the line offers. The coach said of White (who played center in his first three games) that he likes the player's versatility in playing different positions, his energy and his physicality.
After skating on Saturday and Sunday and laboring to get through practice, Michael Raffl was not on the ice on Tuesday. Raffl has been battling a respiratory illness since the All-Star break. Berube deferred all questions about Raffl's status to general manager Ron Hextall. Roughly an hour later, the Flyers announced that Raffl has pneumonia in his lower left lung.
Starting goaltender Steve Mason could get tabbed for 11 of the 12 games on the team's February docket. He said he feels fine physically and is prepared to play every game.
In regard to the Flyers' far superior home record compared to its road record, Mason said there is such a thing as a home-ice advantage for goaltenders as well as the team in general.
Defenseman Nicklas Grossmann continues to practice in preparation to return from a right shoulder injury. He could be in the lineup on Thursday. There is no update yet on a final decision on whether Kimmo Timonen will attempt to play this season.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»