Ian Laperriere Out Indefinitely as Flyers Await Round Two Opponent

Let’s face it folks, with all the turmoil and player injuries surrounding this club, the Philadelphia Flyers should not be in the position they are right now, awaiting their second round opponent for the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Throughout the season the Flyers were decimated by long-term injuries to the likes of Jeff Carter, Ray Emery, Michael Leighton, Simon Gagne, Daniel Briere, and others.

Now, fresh off their series victory over the heavily favored New Jersey Devils, the Flyers will once again have to face some adversity. Not only are Carter and Gagne expected to be out for the series, but so too is Ian Laperriere, who has been diagnosed with a mild concussion as a result of taking a puck to the face in Game Five of round one.

Laperriere was a difference maker in the first series, making opposing forwards' lives miserable with his rugged play while also getting in Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur’s crease.

Laperriere is not expected back for up to four weeks, which means he will likely not be ready to return to the Flyers lineup until the Stanley Cup Finals (should the Orange and Black make it that far).

“Lappy," as Laperriere is affectionately known by the fans, is one of Paul Holmgren’s go-to guys when it comes to checking opposing forwards and is also very valuable on the penalty kill. He will be missed and, in some ways, is irreplaceable.

The Montreal Canadiens will take on the Washington Capitals tonight at 7:00 PM in Washington to decide which team will face the Flyers in the second round.

After a shaky start to the series, Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak has been red-hot, stopping everything that comes his way and earning the Game Six victory.

If momentum means anything at all in these playoffs you have to like the Canadiens' chances. The Capitals have looked confused on the ice and have been unable to penetrate the Habs' ultra-tough penalty kill, which has held the Capitals to a minuscule 3.3 percent success rate on the power play.

That said, the Capitals will have home ice advantage this evening, something that may spark the suddenly listless Caps. One has to think that if this Game Seven was in Montreal the Caps would be dead. As it stands, I’ll still take the Habs over the Caps, 3-1 final!

For more NHL news and notes check out my Web site at www.theslapshot.com.

***Also, check out Louis Pisano (fellow BR writer) and I, Mark “The Hard Hitter" Ritter) NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 31ST at 6:00 PM through 7:00 PM EST as we throw down our hockey podcast “GET THE PUCK OUT” at www.morencysports.com

If you are wondering if this is the same Gabe Morency that was a fixture in the Montreal sports scene for years and was a member of “THE SCORE”—yes, it’s that MORENCY!—it’s his Web site!

We’ll be throwing out our picks for next week's games, talking about the playoffs, and venting all the rage we have built up!!! Bring your comments, questions, and insight. Give us a call (toll free) at 1-866-964-5710—let’s talk some puck!

Until next time,

Peace!