Carter Hart’s early departure from Friday morning skating was not harmless.
Hart, who was originally to support Brian Elliott for the game against the Bruins on Friday night, did not fit in due to back spasms. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is considered day-to-day.
An hour before the game, Alex Lyon was recalled from the taxi team in an emergency to back Elliott.
Hart left Friday morning skating early during the team’s power play at the end of practice. Lyon had to skate to the other side to fill in for Hart, who apparently did not work seriously when he walked to the locker room.
“Carter splashed a bit on the ice this morning, so we were just a little bit precautionary there,” Vigneault said after the Flyers’ 2-1 defeat on Friday. “He has to go well and practice tomorrow.”
Elliott would already start Friday night in the Flyers’ 12th game of the season.
The Flyers had no players on the NHL’s COVID protocol list Friday night.
Hart pulled himself out of training last season in January and was later diagnosed with a right lower abdominal strain.
The Flyers were also without defender Philippe Myers on Friday night, who has a torso injury. The 24-year-old took part in the morning skating and was expected to play alongside Travis Sanheim.
Myers missed four games in January due to a broken rib injury. In his three games back he was very good and gave up two assistants and a plus-4 point in 22 plus minutes per game.
‘Phil sustained a torso injury; “I will know a little more tomorrow,” Vigneault said. “That’s all I have now.”
Robert Hagg stood in line for Myers.
The Flyers visit the Capitals for a two-game series on Sunday (afternoon ET / NBC) and Tuesday (18:00 ET / NBCSP).
The Flyers have been without Sean Couturier (costochondral separation) since mid-January. The 2019-20 Frank J. Selke Trophy continued its rehabilitation work Friday morning and is closer to return.
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