Flyers' backup goalie Backlund could compete for playoff start

TORONTO - Johan Backlund stood patiently in the Flyers' tunnel at the Air Canada Centre yesterday morning, waiting for another crack at the net during his team's skate a few hours before their clash with the Maple Leafs.

Backlund was waiting for Brian Boucher, the Flyers' starter last night, to finish his game-day routine to open up a net.

Backlund, slowly recuperating from a reaggravated groin injury, could return sooner rather than later.

General manager Paul Holmgren said yesterday that Backlund will be counted on once the Flyers' regular-season schedule expires and current backup Sebastien Caron, who was signed for the final five games, is ineligible for the postseason.

Holmgren said it isn't out of the question that Backlund could be considered for the Flyers' starting job in the postseason.

"I don't think you can rule anything out at this point," Holmgren said. "[Yesterday] was his best day in a long time. It was actually the first time that he had gone down in a full butterfly position to stop shots and he didn't have any problems with that.

"He's certainly on the right track. Rest and strengthening that area are the only things you can do for that injury."

Backlund, 28, had to leave his first NHL start in Pittsburgh on March 27 after the second period because of a groin strain that originally prevented him from being recalled from AHL Adirondack before Jeremy Duchesne. Holmgren said it was "unfortunate" that Backlund got hurt when he did, after a strong initial showing against the Penguins.

In the meantime, Backlund could be sent to Adirondack for a conditioning stint before the regular seasons end for both the Flyers and Phantoms.

"Our main focus is just to get him healthy," Holmgren said. "Then we'll see how everything goes."

For a few weeks now, Bill Hartnell, back in Lloydminster, Alberta, has been telling his son, Scott, to shoot the puck more.

Last night against the Maple Leafs, Scott probably heard about it more from Peter Laviolette and the Flyers' coaching staff, who didn't know Hartnell had not registered a shot on goal in his last four contests.

"I haven't gotten too many shots this season, especially the last few games," Hartnell said. "That's one thing I've been making a note of, getting the puck to the net more.

"I've talked to my dad about it and just working on my game. He's been one of my teachers since I've been growing up. It's nice to hear it from a guy that's always been on your side, it's nice when someone tells you."

Hartnell got his first shot on goal since the March 27 contest at Pittsburgh - a one-timer - with 6 minutes left in the first period last night against the Maple Leafs. It was his only shot.

Hartnell was seen taking extra one-timer shots in front of the net Monday after practice with defenseman Braydon Coburn. It almost paid off last night.

"I've stressed it to everybody," Laviolette said. "We are a team that needs to be on the attack, getting pucks to the net."

Hartnell posted a career-high 30 goals last season on 210 shots. He is projected to finish this season with 174, his lowest total since 2007, and his lowest shooting percentage since 2003.

"I need to get back to basics," Hartnell admitted. "You can't score if you don't shoot."

Abington native Chad Kolarik made his NHL debut Monday for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the same team that drafted his brother, Tyler, in 2000. Kolarik, 24, attended La Salle High School for 1 year before heading to prep school and the University of Michigan.

Kolarik, a winger, was originally drafted by Phoenix in 2004 but was acquired at the trade deadline this year by Columbus for Alexandre Picard. He posted 15 points in his last 16 games with AHL Syracuse before being called up. Because of travel difficulties, he arrived at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis just 3 minutes before pregame warmups.

Also, former Radnor High School defenseman Colby Cohen withdrew from Boston University to sign his entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Cohen, 20, scored the national championship-winning goal for the Terriers in last April's Frozen Four. Cohen, a second-round pick in 2007, will report to AHL Lake Erie.

Last night was the Maple Leafs' final home game . . . Arron Asham lost his first-period fight with Toronto tough guy Colton Orr . . . Globe and Mail reporter James Mirtle calculated that Flyers forward Blair Betts is the NHL's top defensive forward this season. Betts' name hasn't been - and probably won't be - mentioned in the Selke Trophy voting, unfortunately. Mike Richards finished second in Selke voting last year as a plus-22. He is a minus-2 this season.

"There's no turning back. There's no looking back anymore. There's no other way around it. We have to get the job done."

- Danny Briere, on the Flyers' final games this week.