Flyers Notes: Flyers' Pronger still expects to be back for playoffs

ATLANTA - Two days after he had surgery to repair a small fracture in his right hand, Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger reiterated that he plans to be 100 percent for the playoffs.

In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Pronger said doctors feel he will be back to his usual form for the postseason. "But none of us are Kreskin," he said.

Pronger, 36, said he would have the bandages taken off his swollen hand on Sunday. A short time later, he will have a splint placed on the hand, and he hopes to begin skating and riding an exercise bike.

It is hard to sit out during the stretch run, Pronger said.

"You always want to be part of the team and part of the action and playing," he said. "It's tough, but I'm going to use this time wisely, and make sure when I do get back I'm ready to go and kind of jump in - hopefully seamlessly."

The Flyers are hoping that Pronger can return for the last few regular-season games to get ready for the playoffs.

As expected, rookie defenseman Erik Gustafsson, promoted from AHL Adirondack earlier in the week, replaced veteran Nick Boynton in Thursday's lineup against Atlanta.

In his only other appearance with the Flyers, Gustafsson was paired with Matt Carle last month. In Thursday's first period, he played alongside different partners and was used sparingly, while Carle was primarily with Andrej Meszaros.

"It's all about communication, no matter who you're with," Carle said before the game. "He's a good young player who reads the plays very well, and makes plays with the puck. He doesn't seem like he's too hurried out there. He's a pretty poised player out there, and it's nice to know a guy like that can come up and you know what he's capable of."

Goalie Brian Boucher made his second straight start. . . . Entering the night, the Flyers were ninth in the 30-team league on the penalty kill (83.6 percent success rate) and 19th on the power play (17 percent). . . . Jeff Carter started the night tied for sixth in the NHL with 32 goals. He was tied with Anaheim's Bobby Ryan (Cherry Hill) and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, who hasn't played since Jan. 5 because of a concussion. . . . The Flyers' April 3 game against the visiting New York Rangers has been moved to 12:30 p.m. because it will be telecast on NBC.

- Sam Carchidi