PHILADELPHIA : The Flyers announced on Tuesday that defenseman Phil Myers will miss four weeks with a fractured patella in his right leg.
Shayne Gostisbehere will replace Myers vs. the Bruins on Tuesday night. He’s played only one game since undergoing knee surgery in January.
Myers, who suffered the injury in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Buffalo, took part in the morning skate at the Wells Fargo Center but was scratched late Tuesday afternoon.
Laughton two-way standout
How do you go from a team goal differential of minus-37 one year to plus-38 the next?
Scott Laughton is a perfect example.
The center/left wing finished last season a minus-11 and a lot of that number had to do with the team’s uneven play.
This season he’s a plus-13 and did we mention he also has set a new season high for goals, 13, with 14 games left to play.
Laughton might not win the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy for most improved player (voted on by the players) but he should be among the finalists.
“It’s been a lot of fun,’’ said Laughton, a 2012 first-round (20th overall) draft pick who turns 26 in May. “Just find ways in the offensive zone to get opportunities – we’ve done a good job just trying to create energy.’’
The Oakville, Ont. native’s versatility makes him quite valuable. He’s played on the second, third and fourth lines and can play the middle or the wing with equal skill.
It might have taken a month or so back in the fall to earn coach Alain Vigneault’s trust but now he’s one of the most valued players.
And don’t forget, Laughton has registered those 13 goals despite missing a combined total of 20 games due to a broken finger and groin injury.
That said, Laughton has seen time with offensive-minded center Kevin Hayes and other key players.
“I’ve been playing with a lot of good guys,’’ Laughton said. “That’s been huge for me. It’s given me a lot of confidence. That (offense) stems from it.’’
>Hart looks to continue home excellence
Second-year goalie Carter Hart is putting together one of the best home records in Flyers history. He entered Tuesday night’s game with a record of 20-2-2, 1.61 goals-against average, .944 save percentage at the Wells Fargo Center.
“He plays well and we need him to play well,’’ Vigneault said. “Goaltending is such a big part of today’s game. Carter is a young goaltender who has improved, he’s getting more experience, has a great relationship with (goaltending coach) Kim (Dillabaugh).
“They really work on his knowledge of the game, understanding the reads he needs to make. . .he’s going to continue to improve.’’
>Impact of coronavirus
NHL teams are taking extra precautions to deal with the coronavirus and the Flyers are following protocol.
“For that stuff, we have a lot of experts,’’ Vigneault said. “I let them tell me what to do. As far as our guys coming to the rink, everybody knows we’re playing the Bruins tonight, the best team in the league.
“We’re focused on that.’’
>Wylie signed to contract
The Flyers have signed defenseman Wyatte Wylie to a three-year entry-level contract that begins next season, according to general manager Chuck Fletcher.
The 20-year-old Wylie is in his fourth season with his hometown Everett (Washington) Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, where he was a teammate of Flyers goalie Carter Hart for two seasons.
Wylie has appeared in 62 games for the Silvertips this year, recording 14 goals and 50 assists for 64 points. Wylie is fourth on the roster in scoring and first among defensemen as the Silvertips head into their final five regular season games.
They are currently second overall in the WHL with a record of 46-13-3-1 and will start their playoffs on March 27.
In 272 career games with Everett, Wylie has recorded 31 goals and 121 assists for 152 points. He was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
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