Flyers' Steve Downie 'questionable' to return Friday vs. Maple Leafs
Steve Downie sat out his second straight game last night in New York, but Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren listed him as "questionable" for a return against the Maple Leafs tomorrow night.
NEW YORK - Steve Downie sat out his second straight game last night in New York, but Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren listed him as "questionable" for a return against the Maple Leafs tomorrow night.
Downie, 26, left Saturday's win over St. Louis after a hit only 45 seconds into the game. The Flyers have yet to reveal anything other than an ailment of the "upper-body" variety, even though a concussion has been speculated since the moment of impact.
Downie was hospitalized with a concussion on Nov. 1. Besides this one, there was one other extended absence this season in which many believe a concussion was a possibility.
"I wouldn't say it's a concussion," Holmgren said. "He's got a lot of things going on. That might be one. We haven't been able to diagnose it as such, but we're treating it like that, along with the other issues he has. I'm not going to give you any more than that, just because you're talking about a guy that plays the game a certain way and when he comes back, he may still have issues like that."
Downie was replaced last night by Tye McGinn, who is amid his fifth call-up of the season. Despite playing 39 fewer games this season, McGinn (nine shots) and Downie (62) have the same number of goals (three). McGinn played on a line with Sean Couturier and Read last night.
"This is the best time of year to play hockey," McGinn said before his debut at Madison Square Garden. "I'm just trying to do my best, wherever I am."
Blog: ph.ly/FrequentFlyers