Giroux skates again but not rushing return

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DENVER -- Claude Giroux skated a hard 90 minutes Monday at Pepsi Center and says he continues to have good days in succession.

He is recovering from a concussion suffered on Dec. 10 against Tampa Bay.

Its progress and you want to test yourself a little bit more every day, Giroux said. Obviously, in Colorado its a little harder to get back in shape (thin air). But it was a good test to see where I was. I felt good.

He has not had any hard contact with other players yet. The Flyers meet the Colorado Avalanche tonight.

As for the 90-minute workout...

If theres no symptoms, I see no reason why not to push yourself, Giroux said. I told myself when I got back on the ice, I wasnt going on and just cruise about the ice. I want to skate hard. I have a habit of going hard every shift.

Giroux would not say whether he is at the point where he feels he can return to the lineup. The Flyers were not expecting him to play on this road trip.

I try not to think about it, he said on coming back. I go day-by-dayIf its the Rangers or even Christmas, I dont see why to push it. Its December.

Giroux said he wont jeopardize his health in returning too soon.

Im aware of what could happen if I come back too fast, he said. My reaction could be slower. Im aware of stuff. The coaching staff and trainer Jim McCrossin are making sure I dont rush into it.

Lineup changes
Matt Walker is in the lineup replacing Kevin Marshall and will be paired with Matt Carle. Walker last played Oct. 29 at Montreal.Marc-Andre Bourdon will be paired with Andrej Meszaros.Tommy Sestito replaces Jody Shelley.Ben Holmstrom, who is from Colorado Springs, will center Harry Zolnierczyk and Zac Rinaldo.Defenseman Erik Gustafsson skated, but said he is still a ways off from playing as his left wrist is still healing from the fracture he suffered in early November. He expects to play after the Christmas holidays. He still cant shoot the puck with authority just yet.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

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