Flyers goalie Emery out another 3 weeks due to hip injury

Four days after Ray Emery's sore left hip was scanned, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren finally had a chance to consult with the team's medical staff and formulate a plan for the starting goaltender.

Holmgren said yesterday that Emery would be sidelined for at least the next 3 weeks as he tries to rest and rehabilitate the hip he tweaked on Feb. 1 in Calgary.

Holmgren just didn't say exactly what's plaguing Emery.

"He has a hip that's been giving him some problems," Holmgren said. "I am not going to get into specifics because we are still working through some stuff here."

When asked if Emery is suffering from a torn labrum, as reported in Tuesday's Daily News, Holmgren didn't have much to add.

"There are some issues there," Holmgren said. "We are hopeful that through this period he will be fine and we will be able to march ahead."

Emery did not receive a Synvisc injection - as Holmgren originally said was planned - which is something that would "oil the joint." Instead, the Flyers are hoping that with rest and rehabilitation - coupled with cardio to stay in shape and a plan to strengthen the area - Emery would be able to avoid surgery.

Holmgren said that's the Flyers' best option right now.

"Is he going to need surgery? At some point, yeah," Holmgren admitted. "Right now, we're trying to take that out of the equation. What we're trying to do - through rehab - is prevent that.

"We're hoping this will be the right way to go."

Emery's range of motion and explosiveness have been limited with the injury. He started eight straight games after returning from abdominal surgery on Jan. 17. This season, Emery has posted a 16-11-1 record with a 2.64 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.

Hip issues are nothing new for the Flyers' butterfly-style goalies. Holmgren said Emery joins Sean Burke, Robert Esche and even Ron Hextall on the list of players to have similar injuries. The discomfort, Holmgren explained, feels like "a funny groin" before the hip issues can be pinpointed.

For now, the Flyers will continue to ride Michael Leighton - who is 10-4-1 since the Flyers nabbed him off waivers from Carolina on Dec. 15. Leighton has started four straight games in Emery's absence, with Brian Boucher as the backup.

When asked about his confidence in Leighton, Holmgren didn't voice any doubt but also didn't deem Leighton as the Flyers' long-term solution or playoff goaltender.

"I certainly feel confident in Michael Leighton right now," Holmgren said. "I think he has done a good job for us."

Holmgren also denied having interest in Dallas' Marty Turco, who is reportedly being shopped as he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Emery's absence should take the Flyers right up to the March 3 trade deadline. With the Flyers' 16-day Olympic break, Emery could miss up to five games on the current timetable.

"I would assume that we would have a better idea how Ray is progressing," Holmgren said. "I feel good about what we are doing with Ray. Based on the information we have right now, I think it is the right way to go for both the Flyers and Ray."

Having just dispatched the New Jersey Devils in two come-from-behind wins, the Flyers will open their second home-and-home series of the week tonight against Montreal. They will wrap up their pre-Olympic schedule tomorrow at Montreal.

Although the Flyers closed the gap with the Atlantic Division-leading Devils to 12 points, Montreal - which entered last night's games one point up on the Flyers for sixth place - is their only focus.

"It's a huge four points," forward Ian Laperriere said. "But our thinking has been game-by-game. We have the Montreal Canadiens next game and that's all we're worried about. We're not worried about what's coming up and who's in front of us.

"I'm a big believer that you should win your games and you will finish where you should be."

The Canadiens, who beat the Flyers, 3-1, in their first meeting on Dec. 7, halted Washington's 14-game winning streak with a 6-5 overtime victory on Wednesday. Montreal has earned at least a point in five out of its last six games.

Flyers captain Mike Richards turned 25 yesterday . . . Dan Carcillo said he "tweaked" his knee when he collided with New Jersey's Patrik Elias with 1:20 to go on Wednesday night. Carcillo did not skate in overtime but joked that wasn't "out of the ordinary" and his injury is "nothing serious." Carcillo skated with Richards and Simon Gagne on a regular shift on Wednesday . . . Reminder: Game time tonight is 6, an hour earlier than normal to accommodate the Montreal television affiliate's wish to broadcast the Olympic opening ceremonies live . . . Approximately 550 tickets remain for tonight's contest, which is Olympic night at the Wachovia Center . . . Simon Gagne has 24 points in 29 career games against Montreal.

For more news and analysis, read Frank Seravalli's blog, Frequent Flyers, at http://go.philly.com/frequentflyers.