"It would be nice to have three goalies for the playoffs in case something happens," said Holmgren, mindful that Leighton, Brian Boucher, and Ray Emery were each sidelined for various amounts of time in last year's playoffs.
Holmgren said that if Leighton sneaks through waivers, there is a chance he would play Friday in Buffalo.
"We've talked about it, but it would be the coach's decision," Holmgren said.
Coach Peter Laviolette did not want to comment on whether the goalie situation would be complicated if Leighton joined the team.
"We have a game to focus on tonight," he said Tuesday before the opening faceoff against the Senators. "Plus I don't have Michael Leighton. I don't want to talk about what-ifs."
Rookie Sergei Bobrovsky and veteran Boucher have had solid seasons. Entering Tuesday's game, Bobrovsky was 28-12-7 with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, while Boucher was 17-10-4 with a 2.45 GAA and a .914 save percentage.
Leighton excelled in the conference semifinals last year, notching three shutouts against Montreal. He struggled in the Stanley Cup Finals against Chicago, compiling a 3.96 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage while allowing two soft goals in the decisive Game 6.
The 29-year-old Leighton has spent most of this season at Adirondack after recovering from October back surgery. Playing for a weak team, he has a 14-12-3 record with a 2.22 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. He has five shutouts, including two in his last two starts.
If he clears waivers, Leighton is expected to join the Flyers at practice Wednesday in Voorhees.
Pronger update
Defenseman Chris Pronger, recovering from a broken right hand, is continuing off-ice workouts and is expected to resume skating later this week, Holmgren said.
Pronger was recently fitted for a brace that he will wear under his glove. The Flyers are hoping he will be ready for the first game of the playoffs.
In other injury news, Danny Briere (groin) and Blair Betts (lower-body injury) will skate Thursday, Holmgren said. That will determine whether they are ready to play Friday.
Breakaways
The Senators were missing three key players who were injured: defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Eik Karlsson and right winger Daniel Alfredsson, the team's captain. . . . Andrej Meszaros began the night at plus-30, which was tied for fifth in the NHL. He was within striking distance of league leaders Toni Lydman of Anaheim and Zdeno Chara of Boston, each at plus-32. . . . Laviolette was impressed with defenseman Danny Syvret's season debut with the Flyers Sunday against the Rangers.
- Sam Carchidi
