Leighton's season over
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Leighton's season over
DALLAS – The news was worse than the Flyers could have ever hoped.
Michael Leighton’s magical run as the Flyers’ savior is over.
According to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, Leighton will be out for 8-to-10 weeks with a “severe” left high ankle sprain.
A normal high ankle sprain probably would’ve kept Leighton off the ice for 3 or 4 weeks, just in time for the start of the NHL playoffs. Leighton said he “heard a pop” when he was leaning back to make a save in the first period against Nashville on Tuesday.
Without him, the Flyers will have to rely on backup Brian Boucher for their stretch run and most likely the first two playoff rounds – should they make it that far. The regular season ends on April 11.
Tonight (8:30 p.m. game time) is Boucher's first start since Dec. 21.
Even if Leighton is healthy enough to return and the Flyers were still playing in the second or third round, it would be hard to vacate Boucher from the net.
Boucher last saw action in the playoffs in 2008 with San Jose, when he was called in to bail out Sharks starter Evgeni Nabokov. He did carry the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000… 10 years ago!
While we’re at it, let’s squash the rumors that the Flyers have interest in signing former goalie Robert Esche. Yes, Esche wrapped up his fine season in the Russian Kontinental League – and his play could earn a contract – but Esche would not be eligible for the playoffs since he wasn’t on the team roster by the March 3 trade deadline.
It would be nice to have a backup with NHL experience but why delay the inevitable with Boucher and force him to find rhythm in the first game of the playoffs.
The truth: the Flyers will live and die with Boucher.
ALSO: The Flyers could be without forward Scott Hartnell for tonight’s game in Dallas.
Hartnell was the only Flyer to miss the team’s morning skate at the American Airlines Center, his jersey and equipment hung neatly in his locker.
Holmgren said in a text message to the Daily News that Hartnell is “OK” but teammates said Hartnell is sick, possibly suffering from some sort of stomach virus.
Both Ville Leino and Darroll Powe said they are in the lineup tonight but Peter Laviolette said he “wasn’t sure yet” who was going to play.
Here were the lines this morning:
Gagne – Richards – Carcillo
Leino – Carter - Briere
Van Riemsdyk – Giroux - Asham
Powe – Betts – Laperriere
I’d say that lineup is subject to change. Arron Asham skated for a long time after practice – usually reserved for healthy scratches – so he could be out if Hartnell is better.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNFlyers).
Booosh!!!— Inchon
Flyers will now struggle to make the playoffs and endgame scenario is...they won't.— ESFjellin
Comment removed.- season's over!!!— sawgrass
What a shame, he finally gets a chance but then gets hurt. The same could be said of Boucher.— potus- If Lavy can keep the boys somewhat sober, we might have a shot at making the playoffs.— PinkGargoyle
- That's a kick in the nuts. Boucher then who, exactly? Expectations just went from a playoff run to a playoff appearance, maybe.— Denali
- His season is done completely because if they (and it's a friggin big if) have a long playoff run there's no way barring injury they would replace Boosh with Leighton at that point. But what am I saying? The best goalie to ever put the pads on just got hurt and now they're doomed. That's the sole reason they won't make the playoffs. Is that what some of you want to hear?— dj.curly
- the optimism here is encouraging— duuuuude
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- We lost Michael Leighton, not Martin Brodeur. Boosh is just as capable as Leighton. The playoff fate like always going to come down to whether they can score and play good defense. Goaltending being a problem in Philly is overrated.— booman55
- If they make the playoffs and finish seventh or eighth they will be an early exit, they need to find a way to stay in sixth or move up to fifth. Basically they need to get in gear and play every game hard, something we really cant count on since its been an issue all year.— Crosbysucks
- Does it speak volumes to anyone else, that when the season is at risk because you lost Michael Leighton for the rest of the year?! No disrespect to him, but come on....— tim17600
- get the golf clubs ready, the boys will be teeing off probably before the 2nd round— Phillyaddicted
