Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Michal Neuvirth returns for Flyers; Alex Lyon recalled

Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth returned to practice Tuesday and will likely start Wednesday in Washington.

Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth warms-up against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in Philadelphia.
Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth warms-up against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, January 25, 2018 in Philadelphia.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Veteran goalie Michal Neuvirth, who had been battling a stomach virus, returned to the Flyers' practice Tuesday in Voorhees and is ready to face his former team, the Washington Capitals, on Wednesday.

Brian Elliott was still sidelined with an undisclosed lower-body injury, and the Flyers recalled Alex Lyon from the Phantoms.

Neuvirth will likely start Wednesday in Washington and get a chance to redeem himself after a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.

"It's good to have Neuvy out there. He had a good practice and looked strong," coach Dave Hakstol said.

Hakstol hinted that Lyon, 25, would make his NHL debut Thursday in New Jersey, saying there was a "strong possibility that both guys will play one" of the next two games.

"I know he's had his ups and downs in the American Hockey League, but certainly his play of late has been excellent down there," Hakstol said of Lyon. "Anytime he's with us, he carries himself with a poise and a presence of readiness. You see that off the ice, and for sure today in practice, you see on the ice as well."

Lyon was 13-8-2 with the Phantoms this season with a 2.90 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Neuvirth is 5-6-1 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Stolarz skates

In a surprise, goalie Anthony Stolarz returned to the ice and skated before practice.

In September, Stolarz had surgery on his left knee to repair a meniscus tear. That came after April surgery in which the 6-foot-6, 210-pound goaltender had a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee repaired.

Stolarz, 24, who hails from Jackson, N.J.,was surprisingly protected by the Flyers in last year's expansion draft.