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Laviolette says 'Bob' is No. 1 goalie

With Michael Leighton now back in the Flyers' fold after clearing re-entry waivers on Wednesday at noon, coach Peter Laviolette wasted no time in declaring his intentions.

And not just for the the Flyers' next contest in Buffalo on Friday night, but for the playoffs.

Laviolette said after the Flyers' practice on Wednesday that Sergei Bobrovsky is his "No. 1 goalie for the playoffs" and that Brian Boucher is his backup. It comes as no surprise, as Bobrovsky has started 8 of the Flyers' last 10 games.

"To start the playoffs, 'Bob' will be that guy," Laviolette said.

That put to bed a lot of rumors circulating that Leighton, who returns to the Flyers after posting back-to-back shutouts for the Phantoms last weekend, would see action immediately for the Flyers on Friday.

After stating his intentions for the playoffs, which are set to open on April 14 at the Wells Fargo Center for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Laviolette was asked if he would be open to starting Leighton on Saturday night against the Islanders.

"I haven't gotten that far," Laviolette responded. "We spent yesterday [Tuesday] trying to figure out if he would get through [waivers] and when he would get through. Having Michael and his experience here gives us that depth."

Leighton was not with the Flyers at practice on Wednesday but arrived later in the evening for a conference call with reporters, which you can read about in Thursday's Daily News.

ROSTER MOVES: Forward Ben Holmstrom was re-assigned to the Phantoms, which means either Danny Briere, Jody Shelley or Blair Betts will be ready to play on Friday to replace him.

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers