Flyers Notes: Hartnell looks to end a long scoring slump

Scott Hartnell has scored just 14 goals - 16 fewer than last season - and is in a mind-boggling slump.

The Flyers left winger has scored three goals in his last 41 games - and none in his last 17 contests.

He's looking at the playoffs as a chance to redeem himself.

"It's been a tough year, but we're in the second round of the playoffs and guys have stepped up," he said after Wednesday's practice in Voorhees. "I feel pretty good. It takes one to kind of get going, so I just want to get off to a good start to the series and go to the net. That's where my game is - the front of the net, and winning puck battles."

With Ian Laperriere likely lost for the playoffs because of a brain bruise and concussion, Hartnell may see some time on the penalty kill in Round 2 against Boston. He played just 53 seconds, total, in shorthanded situations against New Jersey.

"It's an opportunity to help the team win more. You're in the game more. You're out there for 20, 30 seconds, stopping their best players from scoring," Hartnell said. "You've got to be able to block shots like Lappy and work hard. If I get the chance - I haven't heard if I'll be the fourth, fifth, or sixth guy - but it's all about taking pride in your team and stopping the other guys from scoring."

Like Hartnell, rookie James van Riemsdyk has struggled mightily in the second half of the season. Van Riemsdyk finished with 15 goals, but has scored just once in his last 25 games, including the playoffs. He has three goals in his last 37 games.

Van Riemsdyk, who played at the University of New Hampshire last year, isn't accustomed to playing such a long season, but he said he was not worn down. "I feel great out there," he said. "I just have to start putting them in the back of the net."

When they resume play Saturday, the Flyers will have had eight days between playoff games. That's the second-longest stretch in the club's playoff history.

The longest was the nine days between the Stanley Cup quarterfinals and semifinals in 1975.

That was the year the Flyers won their last Cup.

P.S. The Flyers scored a 4-0 win over the Islanders in their first game back from their long 1975 playoff break.

Based on hints dropped by coach Peter Laviolette, it appears Andreas Nodl will take Laperriere's spot as the fourth-line right winger. He has been practicing on a line with Blair Betts and Darroll Powe.

Nodl, an Austria native, scored 14 goals in 65 games with the AHL Phantoms and was used on their penalty kill this season. He also could see time on the Flyers' PK.

"I'm really hoping I will get a chance to play," said Nodl, 23, who had no goals and one assist and was minus-2 in 10 games with the Flyers this season. "I'm obviously not going to replace Lappy because that's impossible, but I'll try to do the best I can."

Goalie Michael Leighton, trying to recover from a high ankle sprain, had a setback and was not on the ice Wednesday. General manager Paul Holmgren said it was a "long stretch" that Leighton would return in the conference semifinals.

The Flyers have not allowed an even-strength goal in their last three playoff games. . . . In light of Laperriere's injury, Holmgren said he would consider making face shields mandatory for his team next season.

- Sam Carchidi