Flyers Notes: Leighton gets rare start in goal

EDMONTON, Alberta - Flyers goalie

Michael Leighton

(remember him?) started against Edmonton last night, giving

Ray Emery

his first rest since he returned from an abdominal injury Jan. 17.

Coach Peter Laviolette wrestled with the decision for most of the day before finally deciding to give Leighton his first start since Jan. 14.

Emery, coming off a 3-0 win in Calgary on Monday, had started eight straight games since being sidelined for about six weeks. Emery had a 2.17 goals-against average in those eight games.

Ninety minutes before last night's contest, general manager Paul Holmgren disputed a Comcast SportsNet report that Emery had a groin injury.

Asked if Emery was injured, Holmgren said, "Absolutely not. He's fine."

Emery skated at practice yesterday morning.

Leighton rescued the Flyers' season in Emery's absence. He made 11 straight starts and was 8-1-1 with one no-decision. During that span, he had a 2.34 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Brian Boucher served as last night's backup because Laviolette wanted Emery to have a complete night off "and not have to worry about the game or do anything to prepare for it. That's one of the advantages of having three goalies. There's not many, but maybe that's one."

The Flyers took a 12-12-1 road record into the game. . . .

Dan Carcillo

played in his 200th career game last night. . . . The Flyers have five more games - three on the road, including Saturday's in Minnesota - before the Olympic break. . . . The NHL has a roster freeze and won't allow trades between 3 p.m. Feb. 12 and 11:59 p.m. Feb. 28. General managers, however, are still allowed to talk about deals during the roster freeze.

- Sam Carchidi