Flyers notes: Richards misses practice with cold

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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Posted: 1:30 p.m.Updated: 2:20 p.m.
By Tim PanaccioCSNPhilly.com

It was no surprise that Chris Pronger wasn't on the ice with his teammates at Wednesdays Flyers practice. Hes rehabbing on his own with the Black Aces.

But when team captain Mike Richards comes to the rink then goes home, and general manager Paul Holmgren says hes taking a maintenance day, thats five alarms.

You'd think no Stanley Cup playoff captain would take a maintenance day the day before the playoffs begin against the Buffalo Sabresunless he were nursing an undisclosed injury. But in a text message to Comcast SportsNet's Lisa Hillary, Richards said he had just a minor head cold and will play Thursday.

It's a little unusual not to have your captain here the day before a playoff series, isnt it?

Its unusual not to have Mike here, yeah, because hes here every other day of the year, Laviolette said.

But Laviolette also said he knew that Richards would not be available.

Bit of a disadvantage not having Richards on the ice. And if he is hurt and its serious, how does that affect the lineup?

We would have liked to have him out there today, sure, and Pronger and everyone else, Laviolette said.
First encounter
Danny Briere has been a Flyer for four seasons now. This is the first time, however, he goes to meet his former team in the playoffs.

I mean, its been a few years so its a little different than if it were the first year after I left, Briere said earlier this week.

Its been quite some time now so its probably not as crazy, but theres still a little something there. Its going to be special, theres no doubt about it. Ill be facing a lot of friends but for a couple weeks there well have the leave that behind us. Im definitely excited.

He seemed surprised to find that in Buffalo, Ryan Miller was jokingly talking about payback for leaving the Sabres.

They couldnt afford me, Briere said of leaving, adding he bears no grudges against any players or management.

Not really, its different now in the sense that the people who didnt want me there are gone now. There is nothing really personal about it as far as leaving and going somewhere else. I dont see it as payback.

The motivation is easy to find because I played there so long. I know a lot of the guys. I have lots of friends there on the team and around town. I dont feel like its about payback at all.

Incidentally, Miller said that Briere is a very different player on the ice than off it.

Hell stick you, hell trip you, hell whack you, Miller said. Hes always in your face, and if he scores, hes going to have a celebration. If you stop him, hes going to be hovering over top of you trying to get you off your game.

I think thats the right kind of dynamic for a good relationship between some of the boys here and the guy on the opposing team. You go out there and you dont leave anything out.
Lines
Here are the new lines without Richards: Danny Briere again centering Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino. Doesn't change. Claude Giroux centering James van Riemsdyk and Jeff Carter; Kris Versteeg with Andreas Nodl and Nikolay Zherdev; Blair Betts with Darroll Powe and Dan CarcilloJody Shelley.
The Olean Times Herald contributed to this story.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

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