Flyers' van Riemsdyk, Flu, May Play Against Devils

Sunday, November 15, 2009

By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com

On a Sunday when the Flyers did not skate, but met for meetings to prep for Monday’s encounter against New Jersey, they got some welcome news.

Rookie forward James van Riemsdyk, who missed Saturday’s 3-2 loss against Buffalo with the flu, is feeling better.

“He stayed home again today, but [trainer Jim McCrossin] talked to him and he’s feeling a lot better, he’s starting to eat and getting his energy back,” said coach John Stevens. “We’re hopeful he can play tomorrow.”

The Flyers have been taking extra precautions this season to assure that every player has his own water bottle at practice and games, and that they are sterilized daily. There are enough Purell dispensers on the walls to fill a vat.

If JVR is healthy enough and no longer considered infectious, it prevents the Flyers from making a tough call.

The team is slated to leave for the West Coast immediately after Monday night’s game against New Jersey. Given how sick van Riemsdyk was on Saturday, it’s likely he would have had to remain behind had the Flyers been leaving that night for California or if his flu worsened.

Stevens admitted he wanted JVR away from the team. His symptoms were much worse, he said, than other players who had the flu the past two weeks.

Monday’s game against the Devils, who overtook Pittsburgh last week as the Atlantic Division leader, is huge given New Jersey now has a seven-point lead on the Flyers.

“It will be a good test,” Stevens said. “Jersey is playing extremely well. They’re probably the most patient team in the league. Defensively, they will wait you out to the 60th minute if they have to, to beat you. They’re very good at.”

As much as the Islanders may be the “surprise” team in the Atlantic Division, Jacques Lemaire has done a commendable job getting the Devils playing the kind of hockey that beckons back to their Stanley Cup years.

“They don’t give you a lot of opportunities,” Stevens said. “We’re going to have to show some determination and patience in our own end here. You are not going to get the wide open chances … they’re playing with confidence right now. And [Marty] Brodeur is playing with confidence.”

After a shaky start, Brodeur has catapulted himself to the No. 1 spot among all NHL goaltenders with a 2.16 goals against average, .921 save percentage at 12-4-0 record, while having played 971 minutes in 16 games.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net