Injuries Catching Up to the Flyers
According to philadelphiaflyers.com, Joffrey Lupul has been diagnosed with a mild concussion and a spinal cord contusion after colliding with Derien Hatcher during the game between the Flyers and Maple Leafs on Saturday Night. He will be completely shut down from all hockey activities for two weeks, at which point his status will be re-evalutated. Sami Kapanen, who took a puck to the face midway through the first period Saturday night, is listed as day-to-day after receiving 25 stitches.
Additionally, winger Scottie Upshall is still recovering from a mild ankle sprain, which has kept him out of the lineup for three games. Simon Gagne, who suffered a concussion on October 27, is hoping to return to the ice sometime this week, although he has stated that he would not play until he is 100%; he continues to be bothered by a nagging neck injury as well. Both Upshall and Gagne are listed as “day-to-day.”
Captain Jason Smith is also listed as “day-to-day” after suffering a lower-body injury while blocking a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning a week ago.
Injuries are now catching up to the Flyers. Beginning with the team’s next game on Tuesday in Atlanta, they will be relying on other players for leadership and scoring. Joffrey Lupul, who was finally living up to his first-round draft pick potential, suffered a devestating blow to his season on Saturday. Kapanen, Smith, and Gagne are all vital pieces to the Flyers because of their leadership. It is important for the other players on the team to pick up the slack if the Flyers want to stay in the playoff hunt.
For the latest on the injuries, click here:
http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=18891