Jagr out, van Riemsdyk moves to top line

Though there are conflicting reports on what part of Jaromir Jagr's body is injured, this much is certain: The veteran winger's absence will hurt the Flyers' struggling offense and weaken their power play.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren announced Tuesday that Jagr would miss seven to 10 days because of a mild groin strain. Holmgren declined a request to speak with reporters and instead issued a statement about Jagr's condition.

After Monday's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers in the Winter Classic, Jagr said he had aggravated a calf injury.

In any event, another player who has been slowed by injuries this season, James van Riemsdyk, figures to get a chance to shine on the top line, with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

Van Riemsdyk, who has nine goals in 32 games, replaced Jagr on the top line for much of Monday's game at Citizens Bank Park. He started the game on the fourth line.

"Obviously, you work hard and wait for breaks like that. I think I have good chemistry with [Giroux], and [Hartnell] is obviously a great player, too," van Riemsdyk said after the Flyers' optional practice in Voorhees on Tuesday. "It's definitely something that can help [me]. . . . You don't even have to think when you're playing with these guys. I just get open, and [Giroux] is unbelievable at finding guys."

"I thought he showed some jump up there," coach Peter Laviolette said, referring to van Riemsdyk. "He was more noticeable in his game."

Jagr, 39, who is third on the Flyers with 31 points, is expected to miss three to five games. He missed four games earlier this season with a groin injury.

The Flyers are 2-5 in their last seven games, during which they have managed a total of 15 goals.

Next: Blackhawks. The Flyers (22-11-4) will host Western Conference-leading Chicago (24-11-4) on Thursday.

"They have a lot of world-class players, and it's going to be a big challenge for us," van Riemsdyk said.

The Flyers will try to rebound after blowing a two-goal lead against the Rangers. From their perspective, there are two ways to look at their Winter Classic loss.

Optimistic view: After coughing up a late lead and dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Boston in the 2010 Winter Classic, the Flyers regrouped and reached the Stanley Cup Finals against Chicago.

"I've thought about that, but I don't know if that necessarily guarantees us a trip back," Laviolette said. "If it does, I'm all for it."

Pessimistic view: No matter whom they use, the Flyers rarely have a goalie who raises his level of play in big games. Sergei Bobrovsky allowed a soft third-period goal that tied the score and keyed New York's comeback.

When the Flyers lost to Boston in the 2010 Winter Classic, they stumbled in their next game.

"We had a hiccup the last time we left the Classic. Went up to Ottawa and got tanked up there," said Laviolette, referring to a 7-4 loss. "So we have our work cut out for us to get dialed back in. We've got a tough opponent coming in, [but] it's good to have an extra day where guys get to decompress a little bit and make sure we have a real good practice" on Wednesday.

Bryz silent. Struggling goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who is expected to start Thursday, didn't want to speak to the media after Tuesday's practice. "I would be boring, boring, boring," he said.

Breakaways. NBC drew a 2.4 overnight rating for the Winter Classic, which was up against the Outback Bowl (5.0 rating) and Rose Bowl (9.0). . . . Saturday's alumni game on Comcast SportsNet was watched in 186,000 households. . . . Feisty winger Zac Rinaldo on being a healthy scratch for the Winter Classic: "It was hard, but to look at the positive side, it'll make me stronger and make me a better hockey player." . . . The Blackhawks are led by Marian Hossa's 41 points and plus-23 rating. Laviolette said Hossa is "extremely dangerous because he's a combination of speed and skill." . . . Goalie Michael Leighton will start for Adirondack when the Phantoms play Hershey at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. . . . HBO, which has been filming 24/7, is no longer following the Flyers. "See how quiet it is in here. Shhhhhh," Laviolette said. The final installment of 24/7 will be shown Thursday at 10 p.m.