Russian defenseman Evgeny Medvedev will return to the Flyers' lineup Thursday night against Washington after missing five games with what sources said was a concussion.
It’s welcomed news all around because the Flyers missed him on special teams and in their breakout.
“We’ve seen at times Meddy play extremely well,” general manager Ron Hextall said (more from Hextall on Flyers here). “He’s a good skater, he moves the puck well.
“If we get a little puck moving back there to get it to our forwards, and getting back for pucks quick — when he’s playing his game, he’s done a good job for us.”
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol has changed his defensive pairs for Thursday’s game against the Caps. Medvedev will be paired with Mark Streit. That’s a brand-new pairing.
Michael Del Zotto will go with Radko Gudas. Earlier in the season, they played two games together. Nick Schultz will continue to work with Luke Schenn.
“I feel pretty good,” Medvedev said. “Last time, my play was not good, even the power play. Many shots, no goals. I’m ready today.”
The second-unit power play missed him. Overall, the Flyers were 2 for 11 on the power play during his absence.
“He came out of the lineup that first night healthy and then he ran into that health issue,” Hakstol said, referring to benching Medvedev.
He was benched in Vancouver to allow him to watch some specific things in the press box.
On the plane ride to Edmonton after the game, Medvedev informed the club he had some issues with headaches. He was sent back to Philadelphia where it was confirmed he was concussed.
“It’s nice to have him back in tonight,” Hakstol said. “We want him to keep making steps and strides forward. Obviously, we didn’t want to have him out of the lineup for the length of time he was out. That is what his health dictated.
“Hoepfully, he can bring a good, stable force on the blue line. And he is a guy who can bring a little offense. We need that from him.”
Medvedev has just one point (assist) in 10 games. While he really stood out in exhibition play, it’s been a little tougher in the real games.
“He moved from preseason to regular season and it’s a whole different pace,” Hakstol said. “I think that was another adjustment. Mostly, I’ve seen positives out of the growth of his game.
“There’s been a couple bumps in the road and those are things we expected when he came over [from Russia] and adjusts to the NHL game from the game he is used to the first 10-plus games of his career.”
Mason back
Steve Mason will make his first start in goal since Nov. 2 in Vancouver, a 4-1 loss.
“It’s been a lot longer than you’d like sitting out,” Mason said. “I’m not going to take the game by storm. Try to go out and be steady out there and focus on shot by shot.
“When you haven’t played in a long time, it’s easy to get over-excited. My goal is to go out there and be a calming presence back there and give the team a chance.”
Mason’s biggest challenge tonight is Caps forward Alex Ovechkin, who is eighth in the NHL in scoring with 16 points (eight goals).
“He’s a special talent and has a great shot,” Mason said. “Great offensive instincts. When he is on the ice, you are definitely aware of it, just because he is so dangerous.”
Loose pucks
With Medvedev returning, Brandon Manning will be a healthy scratch. … Goalie Michal Neuvirth took the full skate and can play if need be. He had some minor issue bothering him. … Hextall announced that forward R.J. Umberger will miss 7-10 days. Umberger has a bad left foot, the result of a shot block in Winnipeg. “We thought he was fine but he is not as fine as we hoped,” Hextall said. Umberger will not go on injured reserve, Hextall said.