Philadelphia Flyers: Chris Pronger Doubtful Against Buffalo, Richards Will Play

Article also found at News of Delaware County

Philadelphia Flyers veteran defender Chris Pronger appears to be doubtful for the team’s playoff opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday in Philadelphia.

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“We’ll get Pronger in the lineup when he’s ready,” head coach Peter Laviolette said after practice Wednesday. “You just have to keep playing hard.”

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Holmgren insisted all players were healthy, noting that Chris Pronger would be a game-time decision. The problem is that he still isn’t taking shots, although he has been stickhandling and practicing with the team.

Odds are that Pronger will be back during the first round at some point, but Pronger offered no clear answers, as usual.

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"I guess you'll have to wait and find out, won't you?" Pronger said.

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Flyers captain Mike Richards also missed Wednesday’s practice and head coach Laviolette said that he knew he would not be practicing today.

Officially, general manager Paul Holmgren said that Richards was given a "maintenance day" off.

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"(Pronger) is not available to us, so we prepare and plan to play Buffalo with the guys we have on the ice today," Laviolette said. "Injuries are part of the game. It's not a cliche, but it's an opportunity for others to step up."

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Richards will be available for Game 1 in Philadelphia and the team looks to play solid while Pronger makes his way back into the lineup.

While the Buffalo Sabres come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the Flyers' depth and experience will probably be too much for the Sabres to handle.