Flyers Bellemare, Streit expected to play Thursday

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Mark Streit are looking to use the experience they gained from the World Cup and help the Flyers prepare for the regular season.

Both Bellemare and Streit played on Team Europe, which ended up losing to Team Canada in the finals. They returned for their first practice with the Flyers, and are looking to pick up right where they left off.

"I played 14 games already, so my season is already started," Bellemare said. "The level of competition was so hard, so you get already into like February/March kind of hockey."

"It was a different kind of preparation," Streit said. "I'm curious because I took a few day off. It's my first practice now, and I actually might play on Thursday. I am looking forward to it."

Bellemare was surprised to make the World Cup team over players such as the Dallas Stars' Antoine Roussel, who had a better NHL season. Bellemare made the most of his opportunity and played well as a two-way center on Team Europe's fourth line.

"He proved it throughout the tournament that he is excellent in that role," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. "He did a really good job penalty-killing through the tournament."

Streit, 38, who is entering his 11th season in the NHL, feels much better coming into this season then he did the previous year. He also underwent surgery in November to repair a pubic plate detachment.

"The year before I had a few problems with my hamstrings and muscle problems, but this year I felt way better," Streit said.

The team had a light practice Tuesday after defeating the New York Rangers, 4-3, Monday night in overtime. Bellemare and Streit were able skate with the team for the first time at practice, and are fully healthy.

Hakstol is pleased to see that the players from the team who participated in the World Cup have all come back healthy and ready to play. He expects Bellemare and Streit to play on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers, but will make sure to keep a close eye on them.

"We'll see how the next 24 hours go," Hakstol said. "[Streit] will probably play on Thursday, but we will monitor his minutes, then we'll go from there in terms of a decision for Saturday."

Bellemare will likely see time at center, but he could be moved around depending on how Hakstol uses Boyd Gordon. Gordon is also a good two-center, so both players will most likely be seeing time in the pivot Thursday night.

Bellemare and Streit are excited to get be back in the locker room and on the ice with the rest of the team.

"I've already played so many games, it feels like such a long time since I've seen the boys," Bellemare said.

"The World Cup was a great experience, but I also was looking forward to coming back and see the guys," Streit said.