NEWARK, N.J. _ In a surprise move, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette announced he is giving the sizzling Ilya Bryzgalov a rest and that Sergei Bobrovsky will start Sunday night in New Jersey.
Bryzgalov, who has shutouts in three of the last four games, had started 11 in a row. He was spectacular in the Flyers' 1-0 shootout win in Toronto on Saturday night.
“We had talked about this, looking at the schedule and what’s coming up _ the back-to-back,” Laviolette said before the game. “Eleven in a row, and every other night pretty much. It’s a chance to get a fresh goaltender in there, and he’ll be ready to play.”
Bobrovsky will be making his first start since Feb. 12, a 4-3 loss in Detroit. He was used in relief against Pittsburgh on Feb. 18.
The fifth-place Flyers are two points ahead of New Jersey in the Eastern Conference. The teams will also meet Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center.
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The Flyers recalled forward Harry Zolnierczyk from the Phantoms.
