Flyers' Giroux playing tonight

NEW YORK _ Claude Giroux's new nickname should be Lazarus.

The Flyers' captain will face the Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 8.

"He's a good healer," coach Craig Berube said.

GM Ron Hextall said he was  "as surprised as you guys, and maybe more so" by Giroux's quick recovery.

Hextall said Giroux skated at the team's practice facility in Voorhees on Tuesday morning and, after seeing a specialist, was cleared to play. "Our doctor said he can play if he can handle the pain...I give Claude credit; he's a tough kid."

On Tuesday, Hextall said Giroux would not play Wednesday and he probably would also miss Thursday's game against Minnesota because of a lower-body injury.

At 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Giroux walked into Madison Square Garden with a boot on his left foot. Yet, the Flyers say he will take part in the pre-game skate.

Giroux, who tested his injured ankle in pre-game warmups, will center Brayden Schenn and Jake Voracek.

The Flyers are seemingly taking a major risk if they play Giroux ($8.25 million cap hit) and his injury becomes worse.

"We wouldn't put him out there if there was a risk of him re-injuring himself," Hextall said.

Told that the Giroux episode _ which started when he missed a meet-and-greet with season-ticket holders Monday because he was being examined by a doctor _ was shrouded in mystery, Berube smiled.

"That's what we do," he said.

Breakaways.

Scott Laughton will center the fourth line, with Zac Rinaldo and Chris VandeVelde.