JVR back; Grossmann out?
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JVR back; Grossmann out?
Zac Rinaldo said he had not heard from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for his game misconduct involving repeated hits to Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek in Game 4.
But that doesn’t mean that Rinaldo will definitely be in the Flyers’ lineup for Game 5 on Friday night, as his team tries to close out the Penguins in their best-of-seven series.
That’s because James van Riemsdyk appears poised to return to the lineup any day now, after skating for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday. He skated on a line with Jakub Voracek and Matt Read.
Coach Peter Laviolette said he would not hesitate to make a lineup change, without commenting specifically on van Riemsdyk being used.
“I think lineup changes are made all the time, constantly,” Laviolette said. “I thought James looked good today. It was just a 20 minute skate. He’s looking better every day. I think, at some point, we will make that decision.”
Van Riemsdyk, who has missed 23 straight games since fracturing a bone in his left foot, has not played since March 1. Through an injury-riddled season, van Riemsdyk added 11 goals and 13 assists in 43 games.
He led the Flyers with 7 goals in last year’s 11 Stanley Cup playoff games.
“It’s always a fun time of year to play and it sucks to watch from the sidelines,” van Riemsdyk said. “I’ve always prided myself growing up in playing in these pressure-type games. Last year, I was given an opportunity to play a lot and I just ran with it.”
An extra forward, Matt Ford, joined the Flyers in practice on Thursday. He will travel with the team to Pittsburgh. The Penguins will get forwards Craig Adams and James Neal back from their suspensions for Game 5.
GROSSMANN OUT?: Defenseman Nick Grossmann missed Thursday’s practice.
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said that Grossmann suffered an “upper-body” injury in Game 4 against Pittsburgh. He is officially listed as “day-to-day.”
Grossmann left the game in the second period after taking an elbow to the head from Evgeni Malkin. NBC 10’s Howard Eskin is reporting Grossmann suffered a concussion. The Flyers had no comment on the report.
Should Grossmann not be available to play, he would be replaced by one of Erik Gustafsson or Brandon Manning. Both Phantoms players saw time with the Flyers this season and practiced with the team on Thursday.
The Flyers also re-called defenseman Oskars Bartulis from Adirondack, starting the waiver process for him. If Bartulis clears waivers, he is yet another possibility to replace Grossmann in Game 5.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
I miss having a guy like Donald Brashear, a guy who can keep the other team honest- if you're going to take cheap shots on our players, you WILL get beat up.— lookyhere- The goaltending is Horrible! You could put a manikin in front of the net and it would stop more pucks.— Chief_Negotiator
- you can yell and scream all you want about the goaltending, but those six on the blue line are just atrocious. timmo is the only one who's played even remotely well in the series, and he can't do it all.— tockeyhockey
- If Grossmann is out, we are in trouble. The Flyers D is too slow with Kubina and Lilja, any word on Mesz's status and a possible return date? I am sure Bryz's play is influenced by his injury, yet more importantly the D is giving up too many chances which is lethal against the Pens' undeniable offensive firepower.— flyerdommo
- this was probably the best way for the Flyers to lose. They felt embarrassed - you could see it in Giroux's eyes at the end of the game. I actually don't think Bryz was horrible, other than a suspect rebound on the first goal (and non-existent d) and then maybe slow lateral movement on Letang's goal - which was a pretty good shot most goalies in the league would have let in. The team D has to improve, and it will. Can't wait to dump Carle - horrible defenseman...— Vinny1925
- I believe Bryz will bounce back. The D let him down for sure, but 3 of the 5 goals were pretty soft. Up 3 games to none, with a two-day layoff, it was almost a given that the Flyers would stink up the place. Game 5 is going to be the big test for both teams. The Pens have found their groove, and I think we'll see a much better Flyers team on Friday. I predict the first low-scoring game of the series.— metapede
- it doesnt matter flyers lose in 7— geohohm
- A little "shake-up" might be needed after last night's fiasco. If JVR is near 100%, play him. If he's anything like he was in last year's playoffs, he could be very effective.— dogman5
- Was anyone else baffled by the fact that the refs were calling penalty's on anyone who so much as sneezed on an opposing player but didn't see fit to call a Penalty on the one headshot in the game, a headshot that could knock one of our best defensemen out of the series!?— cujat13
- Vinny1925, agree w everything you wrote.— Cali7
- With Bryz hurt and the Bob & Leighton combo waiting I'm glad we were up 3-0 in the series. Rinaldo out, JVR in and if Bryz can't play then start Bob. He's got good numbers at CEC. Besides, the blowout was a total team effort. I wish the doom & gloom media would stop blaming only the goalies and stop making stories where they don't exist. Philly media, you suck. Now Go Flyers and win it Friday. And for the love of all things good, don't take stupid penalties. The refs will be calling everything and the Pens' PP is lethal when they're in desperation mode, as we all witnessed.— Fly Guy
- I believe also the flyers will loose in 7............They woke up the giant.....It will take a miracle for them to win the 4......The pens are in there heads.....desperate teams are always better....plus the pens is the NHL's team.....Oh no...they will find me........— shmoo
- It does not matter if jvr plays or not.The Flyers have awakened a sleeping giant. If i were them i'd be afraid very afraid.If the Pens win the next game they will win the series.Fleury played very well the last 2 periods so just maybe he has his confidence back.Philly better win the next game or it's lights out for them.— pittguy59
- Pens will continue to win when the refs thrown them the game. You could tell the Flyers let up on numerous hits because the arm would go up. First three games your cowardly team delivered cheapshot after cheapshot and most of it went uncalled and they still lost. If the refs call a fair game, your team is toast. — ena1977
