Posted: Monday, May 17, 2010, 2:09 PM | 57 comments |
 

Lappy close to returning; Carter doubtful for series
options
 

   The news keeps getting better in Flyersland.

   Gritty right winger Ian Laperriere, who has been sidelined with a brain bruise and concussion since April 22, passed an MRI on Monday morning and participated in the Flyers' practice. He will not play in Game 2 Tuesday against Montreal, but could return later in the conference finals, GM Paul Holmgren said.

    Provided he is cleared to play by four neurologists, it's possible Laperriere will return in Games 3 or 4 in Montreal. Game 5 may be more realistic.

    Center Jeff Carter skated on his own Monday for the first time since he broke his right foot on April 20 against New Jersey. Holmgren said it was "encouraging" but that it was "a stretch" that Carter would return in this series.

     If Laperriere returns, Andreas Nodl _ who has played extremely well _ figures to be a healthy scratch.

     Who gets scratched if Carter returns?

     That's a little trickier because Ville Leino has made it almost impossible for the Flyers to take him out of the lineup.

      Darroll Powe could be the odd man out.

     Again, a lot of things have to happen for Laperriere and especially Carter to return. But if they do, the Flyers' lines could look like this:

    Gagne-Richards-Carter.

    Leino-Briere-Hartnell.

    JVR-Giroux-Asham.

    Carcillo-Betts-Lappy.

     * * * * * * * * *

      After allowing three goals in the first 14:10 of Game 7 in Boston, goalie Michael Leighton has not yielded a goal in the last 105:50.

    * * * * * * * * * * 

    When the series shifts to Montreal, the Flyers will show Game 3 (Thursday at 7 p.m.) and Game 4 (Saturday at 3 p.m.) on their huge Wachovia Center scoreboard. Admission and parking are free.

 
Posted by Sam Carchidi @ 2:09 PM  Permalink | 57 comments
57
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:04 PM, 05/17/2010
    No rush - make sure each is good to go before we commit them. But these guys getting healthy is great news. When they are ready to come back should make for some interesting choices for Laviolette. LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!
    — ferg_1977
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:05 PM, 05/17/2010
    Lappy back would be huge.
    — Freddy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:09 PM, 05/17/2010
    Fantastic news! I really hope that this isn't going to be a case of coming back too soon from the injury though.
    — jlcharles
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:16 PM, 05/17/2010
    id love to see lappy back..carter im not sure about..brieres doin just fine at centre ice,id hate to see him get pushed to wing now..put carter on the wing with richards and gagne and put carcillo down on the 4th line where he belongs..GO FLYERS!!
    — flyerfan18
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:19 PM, 05/17/2010
    Hopefully Lappy will wear a shield going forward. Would be nice to add him to the Betts line and make us even tougher on the puck. GO FLYERS
    — Crosbysucks
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:19 PM, 05/17/2010
    If they get both Lappy and Carter back Nodl and Carcillo are scratched!
    — JohnnyThunderCak
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:23 PM, 05/17/2010
    I don't think Lappy is going to cause a tough decision when he returns. Unless you are a big Andreas Nodl fan.
    — realzeel
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:25 PM, 05/17/2010
    if we could get mcnabb back..that would be huge..my man.
    — wolf 4
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:27 PM, 05/17/2010
    Watching the last few Flyers games you get the special feeling that something amazing is in the works. The team is not impressed with winning a semi final game 6-0 and all of a sudden the players that have been criticized have found their scoring touches again. The confidence level seems real high right now and they are going to be hard to stop. Cant wait to see the next game.. Hope this ride continues.
    — bradco
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:28 PM, 05/17/2010
    Crosbysucks (love that name) - yeah, Lappy is wearing an extended visor - they showed him skating with the team yesterday and it comes down nearly to his mouth. He looks pretty good. I like the idea of Carter (when he comes back and it doesn't need to be tomorrow) going on Richie's wing-love Danny, but Carter could make that top line even more dynamic. Lappy would take Nodl's spot (who is also playing well). Like I said above - Laviolette would have some interesting choices to make. LET'S GO FLYERS!!!
    — ferg_1977
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:34 PM, 05/17/2010
    ferg_1977 thanks for the info. I saw him on Comcast wearing the visor but hopefully he wears it for the rest of his career as well because we all know this guy will do anything to get in front of the puck and block one for the team. At least with a shield he will have a better chance of dodging a puck to the face.
    — Crosbysucks
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:44 PM, 05/17/2010
    This is great news! If we get to the Cup round - and we will, we're going to need Carter's face off expertise, shots on net, goals and special teams play. And of course Lappy and his awesome penality killing and shot blocking. Go Flyers!!
    — dianne16
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:45 PM, 05/17/2010
    Saw Lappy at the Skate Center on Saturday...he looked real good. This is awesome news
    — grev63
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:00 PM, 05/17/2010
    i love my flyers but..until we face a top 3 team like chicago or san jose im just enjoying the ride
    — lifemaster


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About Sam Carchidi
Sam Carchidi is in his fourth year as the Flyers' beat reporter. He became an Inquirer staff writer in 1984 and covered mostly South Jersey high school sports and the Phillies before taking the Flyers beat.

Carchidi has written three books _ the nationally acclaimed Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story, which he co-authored with Scott Brown; Bill Campbell: The Voice of Philadelphia Sports; and Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He also contributed to a 1993 Inquirer book on the Phillies.

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Carchidi lives in Wenonah with his wife, JoAnn, and their two children, Sara and Sammy.

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