BOSTON — A year ago, the return of Simon Gagne from a foot injury helped spark Philadelphia's shocking rally from a 3-0 deficit in the second round against the Bruins.
Gagne scored four goals, including two game-winners, in the four games he played. The Flyers won all four to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
This year, with the Flyers facing a 2-0 hole against Boston, they're hoping to get a similar lift from the return of Jeff Carter.
Carter led the Flyers with 36 goals in the regular season and added a goal and an assist in four games against Buffalo in the opening round before suffering a sprained right knee. He missed the final three games against the Sabres and the first two games of this series, but skated in practice on Tuesday and joined the team for its morning skate at the Garden on Wednesday.
As they usually are regarding injuries in the playoffs, the Flyers are being tight-lipped about his status for Wednesday night's Game 3. Even Carter himself after the skate answered a query about his status with the party line.
"We don't talk about injuries," Carter said with a faint laugh. "It's been like that all playoffs."
Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolette was even more evasive. When asked what kind of workload Carter could get if and when he does return, Laviolette replied, "I think I'm going to pass on all theoretical questions."
Laviolette then responded to a follow-up question about Carter's status by noting simply, "Jeff Carter looked good [Wednesday] morning."
Carter himself is not worried about how much he'll play when he returns. He just wants to get back in the lineup.
"I'm not worried about that," Carter said when asked about the minutes he might get if he plays. "I'm worried about getting myself out there. When I'm healthy, I'll worry about the other stuff."
When asked if there was more urgency to return with his club down two games, Carter added, "Of course. You want to be in every game."
The Flyers definitely want him back in games as soon as possible.
"He's a big-time goal scorer," Philadelphia forward Scott Hartnell said. "He skates the puck really well. Defensively, he's not a liability. If we get Carts back, whenever it is, it will be a big lift for us. … With him in the lineup, it definitely adds a different element to the game."
Hartnell was quick to add, however, that the Flyers have become accustomed to dealing with injuries. They already are without top defenseman Chris Pronger, who missed Game 2 with a lower-body injury and is doubtful for Game 3 after not participating in the morning skate.
"We're just looking to get wins," Hartnell said. "We've done a great job all year with injuries, guys stepping up and playing. It's no different now that we're in the playoffs."
But the Flyers are a different team with Carter in the lineup, a fact not lost on the Bruins.
"He's an unbelievable player," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "It just adds another weapon to their arsenal. They have so much talent over there, it's almost unfair to the other teams in the league. With him, he's so big and fast and strong on the puck and great around the net, so he's definitely a dangerous threat. It's going to be tough if he's in the lineup."
The Flyers won't reveal whether or not Carter will be in their lineup until game-time, but it certainly won't be a shock to either side to see No. 17 on the ice in orange and white on Wednesday.
