Lappy close to returning; Carter doubtful for series
The news keeps getting better in Flyersland.
Lappy close to returning; Carter doubtful for series
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The news keeps getting better in Flyersland.
Gritty right winger Ian Laperriere, who has been sidelined with a brain bruise and concussion since April 22, passed an MRI on Monday morning and participated in the Flyers' practice. He will not play in Game 2 Tuesday against Montreal, but could return later in the conference finals, GM Paul Holmgren said.
Provided he is cleared to play by four neurologists, it's possible Laperriere will return in Games 3 or 4 in Montreal. Game 5 may be more realistic.
Center Jeff Carter skated on his own Monday for the first time since he broke his right foot on April 20 against New Jersey. Holmgren said it was "encouraging" but that it was "a stretch" that Carter would return in this series.
If Laperriere returns, Andreas Nodl _ who has played extremely well _ figures to be a healthy scratch.
Who gets scratched if Carter returns?
That's a little trickier because Ville Leino has made it almost impossible for the Flyers to take him out of the lineup.
Darroll Powe could be the odd man out.
Again, a lot of things have to happen for Laperriere and especially Carter to return. But if they do, the Flyers' lines could look like this:
Gagne-Richards-Carter.
Leino-Briere-Hartnell.
JVR-Giroux-Asham.
Carcillo-Betts-Lappy.
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After allowing three goals in the first 14:10 of Game 7 in Boston, goalie Michael Leighton has not yielded a goal in the last 105:50.
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When the series shifts to Montreal, the Flyers will show Game 3 (Thursday at 7 p.m.) and Game 4 (Saturday at 3 p.m.) on their huge Wachovia Center scoreboard. Admission and parking are free.
Buy Flyers tix to Game 2 
lappy is crazy. i had similar brain injuries, and it took like 18+ months for my head to feel normal again. and i didn't come back to big guys slamming into me at 90mph. personally, i'd be even worried about playing again in september, let alone next week. unless the flyers start losing, lappy should sit out.— Evilvet
flyerfan18, briere is playing some great hockey but that has NOTHING to do with his work as a center man, he's simply not that great of a centerman, never has been. i'd be wary of shaking up the lines, but if we can get carter back playing center and move briere to wing that's a big plus— flyers70
Nodl has been a great addition and has stepped up big. It will be hard to see him take a hit, but having Lappy back is a huge boost.— Inchon- Nodl has been a great addition and has stepped up big. It will be hard to see him take a hit, but having Lappy back is a huge boost.— Inchon
- So who is the second scratch if both of them come back? Nodl is the obvious first one. Powe? Leino's a tough scratch now. Can't bench Hartnell now that he's remembered how to play. Carcillo?— roadtriptoday
- I'm with you lifemaster but in a 7 game series anything can (and will) happen. If they get by the Cannucks I loike the odds! Go Flyers - you guys are men and already have shown the true sports fans in Philly what a TEAM properly coached, managed and motivated can do! Wolf u r an idiot!— jakster
- Anything to get Nodl off the ice!— Florida Frank
- If both Carts and Lappy come back, scratches should be Nodl and Powe. If just Lappy, bye bye Nodl. No way you can scratch Leino with his increasing quality of play.— bsbullie
- Hey Lifemaster (and any other doubters), remember that the Caps & Pens were "top 3 teams" too... one of them being the defending Stanley Cup champs! And the team that beat both of them just took an authoritative beating from the Flyers -- and that, while both teams were still riding major highs. If you'll say the West is tougher, Pittsburgh just out-toughed them all last June; and these Flyers, to me -- especially if Lappy returns -- look every bit as tough as the Pens did last year, if not tougher. The Flyers are a freight train right now, and IF anyone can stop the engine (which I doubt), they're at least gonna get severely damaged from the impact in the process. Brace yourself for more great history in the making... GO FLYERS!!!— FlyerTuck
- Let's say both guys do get back eventually - Lappy for Nodl's obvious, but which guy do you think they'll sit for Carter? JohnnyThunder suggested Carcillo, and I think that makes a kind of sense, but who knows, they might go back to the Carcillo-Betts-Lappy 4th line, and then throw Leino-Briere-Hartnell, Asham-Giroux-JVR, and then, sounds crazy, but Richards-Gagne-Carter, which would make Powe the odd man out. Man, it'd be nice to have this problem!— elpel
- Flyers are playing on another planet right now -- I'm not sure any team can bring them back to earth. Lappy returning is nice, I was pretty surprised he returned so soon from that injury. Carter coming back for possibly the next series would be a huge boost. This team is just clicking right now. LOVE IT - GO FLYERS!!!!!!— dsh129
// i love my flyers but..until we face a top 3 team like chicago or san jose im just enjoying the ride/// -- They faced a #2 team in New Jersey and beat them soundly -- what makes you so negative if they face San Jose or Chicago? This is anyone's cup this year. A hot goalie, a lucky bounce, a big injury, and everything changes.- These guys are the toughest athletes out there— thebaron
- a sore toe is one thing, but I wouldn't be messing with a brain injury— petemagoop
- Getting Lappy back would be awesome.— flyerdup
