Flyers' Carter said to be getting close to skating

Jeff Carter could be back sooner than expected.

Carter, who wore a walking boot while watching his Flyers teammates win Game 1 last night, could resume skating as early as today, a team source has told the Daily News.

Carter has been out since April 20, when a Chris Pronger slap shot struck his right skate in Game 4 of the Flyers' first-round series against New Jersey. Carter suffered a fractured metatarsal, which was surgically repaired on April 24.

Carter was seen walking on crutches in Boston after the Flyers' Game 7 victory Friday night.

Still, general manager Paul Holmgren was unwilling to say Carter is any closer to returning now than he was last week.

"Nothing has changed," Holmgren said after last night's game. "He will see a doctor [today]."

Carter had two goals and one assist in four games against the Devils in the first round.

He will have the foot examined by doctors today, likely via MRI, searching for callus - the medical term for a protective coating that forms around a bone, evidence of healing.

Carter returned to the lineup for the final two games of the regular season after missing 2 weeks with a fractured bone in his left foot. If his MRI shows healing has begun, his return will likely depend on pain tolerance - as it did with his first injury.

One published report said if healthy, Carter could return for Game 2 but was more likely to return for Game 3.

One Flyers official frowned on that timetable.

Undoubtedly, Carter's timetable will likely depend on the Flyers' position in this series.

With a 2-0 lead heading to Montreal, the Flyers would be less likely to take a chance than if they were tied.

Ian Laperriere, the Flyers' penalty-killing ace, took part in the pregame skate yesterday. Laperriere missed the last round with a brain contusion and broken orbital bone, suffered when he blocked a shot with his face in the Game 5 clincher against New Jersey in Round 1 . . . Chris Pronger did not play the final 8:56 of the game.