The Flyers have been uncharacteristically healthy in the post season — that is until Wednesday. According to the team, both Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne will miss Thursday’s game five against the New Jersey Devils with right foot injuries. The Flyers lead the series 3-1.
“Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne both suffered injuries to their right foot in Tuesday night’s game,” GM Paul Holmgren told Kevin Kurz. Neither will be available to play Thursday, and both players are listed as day-to-day.”
Gagne suffered a fractured toe after blocking a shot in the second period of game four on Tuesday, but was not ruled out until the following morning. It can not be pin pointed when Carter, who scored two goals and an assist, was injured but it is not a re-aggravation of his left foot fracture suffered late in the regular season.
Ville Leino is expected to fill in for Gagne at wing, while according to CSNphilly.com, forward David Laliberte will replace Carter. Since neither Leino or Laliberte are centers, coach Peter Laviolette would be inclined to move red-hot Claude Giroux to second-line center with Darroll Powe replacing him as third-line pivot.
Phila.Bright 