Backlund to make NHL debut tomorrow
Daily News Flyers blog
Backlund to make NHL debut tomorrow
It’s an intrepid move, but it’s one that Flyers coach Peter Laviolette hopes will give his team a spark they desperately need tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
Johan Backlund, the Phantoms’ starter for most of the season, will make his NHL debut in net for the Flyers tomorrow afternoon in their final appearance at Mellon Arena. It is the Flyers' first of back-to-back games this weekend, with the Devils visiting the Wachovia Center on Sunday night.
"I hope they trust me," Backlund told reporters after today's practice. "It would be a great chance to play my first game and try to help the team. We have to win games here to [stay] in the playoffs."
Backlund's name was at the top of the Flyers' depth chart for practice today, even though Laviolette wouldn't give any hints as to his lineup.
Backlund, 28, is far from a rookie – even though this is his first professional season in North America. He started more than 50 games each of the past four seasons in the Swedish Elite League.
He posted a 2.79 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 41 starts with the Phantoms this season.
Backlund will replace Brian Boucher, who hasn’t been able to hold down the Flyers’ starting job when it has been handed to him this season. Boucher allowed three unanswered goals – including the game-winner, which he kicked into his own net – in the Flyers’ 4-3 overtime loss to Minnesota on Thursday. It was the Flyers’ fourth consecutive loss.
Speaking before Laviolette had made his decision, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren had high praise for Backlund. Holmgren said before Thursday night's loss that he would be comfortable with Backlund in net.
"I'd actually relish the opportunity to watch him," Holmgren said. "He's done everything we've asked in the American League and he's won games singlehandedly down there."
More coming…
Awesome. At least there is a reason to watch tomorrow's game now.— duffers- Where are all those who claimed Boucher was better then Leighton? The guy sucks. He can't even keep the job with a good defense.— ChrisM
- good— eglftbl1
- The Pens are playing great right now, beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!— oldhat
- Adios Booooooooooooooooooosh.
- Let's face it...Backlund is the unknown; maybe he'll be great, maybe not. We all know what the deal with Bouch is.. he can't play. Give Backlund a chance , maybe he'll surprise; I don't think they'll even make the playoffs if they stay with Boucher.— drbob1
- Yup, ole Lumbering Leighton would have won all those games, stopped all those goals. Wait, maybe not. His save pct. in his last four starts was .872!!!!, and that includes the Chicago game, one of maybe two good games the TEAM has played since the olympics.— eagle1971
- good to hear. It does give a real reason to watch the game tomorrow. Maybe he can cover up mistakes the way Biron used to.— cnova000
- Backlund probably should have been given a chance closer to when Leighton went down considering that Boosh has not shown anything this year with several opportunities already. Not looking good right now, hopefully they can pull this nose diving ship back up.— billybob212
give the guy a shot. boucher has looked off balance, unsure and blind at times. leightons injury really hurt this team...go flyers
Comment removed.- Yeah baby! Give 'em hell rook-- you WILL do it. Go Flyers!
- oldhat...the pens aren't playing great right now. They haven't scored more than 3 goals in a game in a couple of weeks.— arb
- How bad is Bernie"s eye?— cleflyer
- Agreed Bouch has overstayed his welcome as a starter. Not that anyone trusted him in that role anyway. On to Backlund!— taintaugustine
