Chris Pronger continues to improve and took several wrist shots during the Flyers' pregame skate today. He's not playing tonight in Game Four but it's looking much more likely that he will, in fact, play in this series. In fact, there's plenty of chatter in the Flyers' locker room that Game Five is a distinct possibility if the Sabres pull even in the series tonight.
I've felt all along, however, that the Flyers' goal in this series has been to get through it without using Pronger at all if that's possible. If they take a 3-1 lead, they're getting very close to that goal.
As is his custom, coach Peter Laviolette would not provide any clues. The Flyers ferret all injury updates through GM Paul Holmgren rather than Laviolette.
"Just having Chris on the ice is always a positive," Laviolette said. "I can't shed absolutely any light [on his status]. Not allowed."
As for Game Four, it's a huge game for the Flyers. Take a 3-1 lead in Buffalo and they might not have to come back here for Game Six on Easter Sunday.
"I'm not sure how the game will be played but we're looking at it as an opportunity, as a big game for us to get a chance to get that third win," Laviolette said. "We want to make sure we're ready to play, establish our game and do what we need to do to be succesful."
To hear more from Laviolette on the Flyers' playoff experience, dealing with the Sabres' use of defensemen in the rush, the penalty-killers on both sides, and the playoff magic of Danny Briere, click below.
Peter Laviolette
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
Philadelphia Flyers
