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Flyers Notes: Zac Rinaldo gets 20 stitches, is questionable for Tuesday

BUFFALO - Feisty Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo was accidentally cut by the skate of Buffalo's Robyn Regehr during a first-period collision Sunday and had 20 stitches administered above his right knee.

Feisty Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo was accidentally cut by the skate of Buffalo's Robyn Regehr during a first-period collision Sunday and had 20 stitches administered above his right knee. (Mel Evans/AP)
Feisty Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo was accidentally cut by the skate of Buffalo's Robyn Regehr during a first-period collision Sunday and had 20 stitches administered above his right knee. (Mel Evans/AP)Read more

BUFFALO - Feisty Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo was accidentally cut by the skate of Buffalo's Robyn Regehr during a first-period collision Sunday and had 20 stitches administered above his right knee.

"It's hockey; it happens," said Rinaldo, who did not return in the Flyers' 5-2 loss to Buffalo. "We just collided funny, and I guess his skate was still in the air when my leg was there."

Rinaldo's status for Tuesday's game in New Jersey is questionable. Based on his bad limp after the game, it wouldn't be surprising if Tom Sestito took his fourth-line spot against the Devils.

In two games, Rinaldo has nine hits in just 11 minutes, 41 seconds of playing time. He will be examined again Monday.

Briere's wrist

It doesn't sound as if injured center Danny Briere will play until Saturday, at the earliest.

Briere missed the first two games with a hairline fracture in his left wrist, and he is not expected to play Tuesday or Thursday against the New York Rangers. The Flyers play at Florida on Saturday and at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

"At this point, it's probably more reasonable to shoot for the weekend," Briere said in a text message. "But we will see when I can start practice full [tilt]."

Briere skated with the team last week but wore a yellow no-contact jersey.

The Flyers miss Briere's offense. They have scored a total of three goals in the first two games.

"I think we're struggling right now right around the net, and that's where he's really good - taking pucks from behind the net and getting them out front and making passes," winger Scott Hartnell said. "We'll definitely welcome him back with open arms, especially on the power play. He gives us a different dimension with whichever unit he plays on."

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