Friday, April 22, 2011
Posted: 10:53 a.m.Updated: 4:45 a.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
While Chris Pronger seems to making progress on his injured right hand, a source close to the Flyers defenseman told CSNPhilly.com that he will not be available to play at any point in this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Officially, the Flyers are listing him as day-to-day.
Additionally, dont expect to see Jeff Carter in any remaining games, as well. He has a severely sprained MCL in his right knee and is wearing a brace.
Pronger is still experiencing pain in the fractured area around the right hand, the source said, adding he is still unable to take contact with the hand sufficiently to defend himself on the ice.
There is concern about what kind of impact he could have if he cant even defend himself.
The kind of game he plays, he cant play with that hand right now, the source said.
NHL
Pronger, the source said, has felt pressure from many sides, especially the media, to play in the series, but doesnt want to compromise safety only to get re-injured and perhaps suffer another setback.
Pronger took slap shots for the first time in weeks at the morning skate but also was wincing at times.
He has pain, the source said.
In fairness, Pronger's slap shots Friday morning didnt have as much authority on them as weve seen in the past. Pronger stayed on the ice after teammates left shooting pucks. He also declined interviews.
Pronger did take part in every aspect of the drills but as Matt Carle -- his on-ice partner -- said, the decision was going to likely come down to how much pain he had this morning and what he can tolerate.
Obviously, we know the answer.
If Pronger had played, it was going to be in a limited role.
When he comes out there, you expect him to be the Hall of Fame defenseman he is, Carle said, admitting he had no idea what Prongers intentions were of playing. You dont think anything less of him. We have to see how hes feeling. Hes the only one who can answer that.
Carle said teammates were encouraged to see him finally take slap shots, which he has not done since March.
Its been a long process for him and frustrating at time, but for him to be able to unload, but like I said, you dont know when he is doing that, how hes feeling. Hell probably would not tell you until the summertime when hes taking those shots how much pain he is feeling, if at all.
Coach Peter Laviolette said he thought Pronger looked good and was encouraged by his shooting.
As for Carter, the Flyers learned to live without him for 11 games in the middle of the playoffs last season with a broken right foot, courtesy of a Pronger slap shot.
How ironic both are out for this series now?
If the Flyers are going to defeat the Sabres and move on, its not about having Pronger or even Carter available. Its about having traffic and scoring some goals on Sabres goalie Ryan Miller who had shut them out twice, going into Game 5.
Whining
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff accused the Flyers of doing a lot of whining on Thursday.
Laviolette said he wasnt going to get into a rhetoric war with Ruff.
I thought it was funny, Laviolette said. One of the coaches did a little spoof on it today in the coaches office and took out the word whining and put in winning. It was pretty funny. We dont get involved in that crap. But it was funny. We had a good time with it.
Lineups
In addition to Carter (right knee sprain), Andreas Nodl (right eye) did not skate. He too will not play in Game 5.It would appear Darroll Powe will work in Carters spot on Claude Girouxs line with James van Riemsdyk and that Ben Holmstrom will replace Powe on Blair Betts fourth line with Dan Carcillo.Buzzword in the room was traffic as players said the Flyers need more traffic on Miller.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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