Flyers' Claude Giroux injured; Gagner in lineup

TORONTO -- Claude Giroux, the Flyers' captain and leading scorer, missed Saturday's game in Toronto and was replaced by Sam Gagner, who entered the night goal-less since Oct. 21.

The Flyers said Giroux had an upper-body injury; they said the injury was not serious and listed the center as day to day.

Giroux was elbowed by Montreal's P.K. Subban late in the Canadiens' 3-2 shootout win on Friday. Surprisingly, Subban was not penalized.

Giroux, who was not available to the media Saturday, appeared to take an elbow to the head and he fell to the ice in pain. He returned to the game

An NHL spokesman said the league looked at the hit. There was no fine and no review was needed for a suspension, the spokesman said.

"I thought it was high, but it's tough to tell," Gagner said before the game, before he ended his scoring drought with a first-period goal.. "...It's one of those bang-bang plays."

Coach Dave Hakstol declined commenting on the hit.

"I've learned in my short time here, it's not my area," Hakstol said. "I'm not getting into it. That's the league's area, not my area."

In 57 games, Giroux has 16 goals and a team-high 49 points.

"It's a huge impact when your best player goes down, your leader, captain," rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. "It's time for everyone to step up. It's really gut-check for us now."

Gostisbehere said Giroux "makes everything happen. He's the head of the snake, you can sort of say. It's a big opportunity for guys to step up in key situations, and I think it's going to be a good test for us."

The Flyers are without their top two centers: Sean Couturier is sidelined with an injured right foot/ankle.

"It happens in the game of hockey," Gostisbehere said of injuries. "You just can't have excuses for yourself."

Gagner, 26, played left wing on the top line, and Brayden Schenn moved from left wing to center. Wayne Simmonds remained at right wing.

"G is one of the top 10 players in this league," Gagner said before the game. "For me, I just have to be myself. I know I can play in this league. It's an opportunity for me to show that. I haven't gotten many this year in a top-six role, so I'm just going to take it and run with it."

Because of a concussion and various benchings, Gagner had played in just 28 games before Saturday and had two goals and seven points. He had been a healthy scratch in two of the previous three games.

Gagner had been in a top-six role many times during his career.

"Obviously this year has been a little different," he said. "I know what it takes to be successful in this type of role."

The Flyers began Saturday five points out of a playoff spot with 24 games remaining.