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Flyers Notes: Another backup goalie awaits Flyers in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - For the second straight game, the Flyers will catch a break by facing a backup goalie because the standout starter is recovering from an injury.

Lightning goalie Anders Lindback (39), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Lightning goalie Anders Lindback (39), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. (Chris O'Meara/AP)Read more
    by By Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

TAMPA, Fla. - For the second straight game, the Flyers will catch a break by facing a backup goalie because the standout starter is recovering from an injury.

The Flyers will be opposed by Anders Lindback (6-12-2 record) when the teams meet Thursday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Lindback, who has played just three games since Jan. 13, made 25 saves in relief of the injured Ben Bishop (37-14-7) and helped the Lightning beat Toronto, 3-0, on Tuesday. Bishop left the ice early in the first period after diving to glove a floating puck.

"It doesn't make much difference to us who plays," Flyers winger Jake Voracek said after Wednesday's practice at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. "Lindback is solid as well."

The 6-foot-7 Bishop (2.23 GAA, .924 save percentage), who will miss the rest of the regular season, has been one of the NHL's best goalies. Lindback (3.11 GAA, .884), who stands 6-foot-6, has been inconsistent as his backup.

"We just have to make sure we work hard and get traffic in front of him," Voracek said.

On Tuesday, Florida goalie Roberto Luongo was injured in warm-ups, and the Flyers shelled his replacement, Dan Ellis, and registered a 5-2 win.

Chief's fingerprints

Defenseman Kimmo Timonen said there are a lot of reasons for the Flyers' dramatic turnaround from a 1-7 start.

"And obviously the coaching change was the first step," he said, referring to Craig Berube's replacing Peter Laviolette after the third game. ". . . We started playing as a team - that's the big thing."

Goalie decision

Berube plans to alternate goalies in the weekend games - Saturday in Pittsburgh, Sunday against visiting Carolina - but said he was unsure who would start Thursday in Tampa.

Ray Emery has better numbers than Steve Mason against the Lightning this season. In two periods of action, Mason allowed five goals and had a .706 save percentage in an eventual 6-3 loss to Tampa on Jan. 11. Emery has a 2.29 GAA and .927 save percentage in two appearances against the Lightning this season.

Power-play work

At Wednesday's practice, the Flyers did extra work on their struggling five-on-three power play, which is just 2-for-15, placing them 25th in the 30-team league.

"Too much passing and not enough shooting," said Berube, adding he may get Voracek more involved in the five-on-three set up.