Flyers Notes: Flyers coach downplays leadership issue

Flyers Notes

NEWARK, N.J. - Flyers coach Peter Laviolette downplayed the leadership his team has lost with fiery defenseman Chris Pronger sidelined by a hand injury. So did veteran defenseman Sean O'Donnell.

Before Friday's game in New Jersey, both acknowledged that the Flyers are much better when Pronger is in the lineup, but said that other players have become more outspoken in his absence.

Pronger is "not really that vocal all the time. He's one of those guys that when things aren't going well, he likes to speak his mind," said O'Donnell, one of the defenseman's closest friends. "When he's not there, other guys have done a good job of doing it. As much as we want Chris back, our record shows we've been able to get by without him. Obviously, he's a strong presence, but I think we've made it by committee when he's not around."

Pronger, 36, isn't expected to return to the lineup until the playoffs. He has been sidelined three times this season, and entering Friday, the Flyers were 15-7-5 without him.

Along with Pronger, the Flyers miss the leadership of winger Jody Shelley, who is recovering from surgery to repair a broken orbital bone on the left side of his face.

Laviolette praised captain Mike Richards, Danny Briere, and Kimmo Timonen for "making sure our team is ready."

In addition to Pronger and Shelley, "we have other guys who are vocal," Laviolette said. "It's not like it's completely quiet in there just because we're missing a couple of guys . . .. Everybody has chipped in, on and off the ice."

Zherdev returns

After being a healthy scratch for 12 consecutive games, winger Nik Zherdev was back in the lineup Friday and replaced Andreas Nodl. He was on a line with Claude Giroux and Jeff Carter

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Shutout-less streak

The Flyers started Friday as the only NHL team without a shutout this season. In franchise history, the Flyers have had only two seasons (1981-82 and 1989-90) in which they have not registered a shutout.

Breakaways

Goalie Brian Boucher made just his second start in the last eight games. . . . Johan Hedberg started for the Devils, ending a streak in which Martin Brodeur made 15 consecutive starts. . . . The Flyers cannot recall goalie Michael Leighton or defenseman Matt Walker from the AHL's Phantoms unless they clear reentry waivers. . . . Flyers defenseman Nick Boynton is a second cousin of Phillies utility man Pete Orr. . . . Entering Friday, the Flyers had a 73-86-15 record against New Jersey since it relocated from Colorado in 1982. . . . Darroll Powe, the pride of Princeton University, played in his 200th career game Friday night.

- Sam Carchidi