Flyers Fine Tune Lineup in Hopes to Split in Chicago

Written By Unknown On Monday, May 31, 2010

James Van Riemsdyk is out to make room for Carcillo.


We learned yesterday that Danny Carcillo will return to the lineup for Game Two against the Chicago Blackhawks, but we didn’t know who was going to make an exit until today.

The Flyers announced that rookie James van Riemsdyk will be a healthy scratch in order to make room for the Energizer Bunny Carcillo.

“I have a lot of pent up energy that you’ll probably see released tonight.” said Carcillo. Carcillo will replace left winger Simon Gagne on the top line, allowing Gagne to move onto a line with Claude Giroux and Arron Asham.

The Flyers second and fourth line will remain the same, which means Danny Briere will continue to center Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell.

It’s not the only change as defenseman Oskars Bartulis enters to take Ryan Parent’s place on the third defensive pairing.

Parent skated for only one 41-second shift in Game One against the Blackhawks, and was benched for the remainder of the game after being responsible for Chicago’s first goal.

Bartulis, who hasn’t played since Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, isn’t much of an upgrade from Parent, but he will contribute seven or eight crucial minutes to give Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen extra rest.

Peter Laviolette is well known for pushing the right buttons at the right time, and I have to give him credit for making changes that were needed.

Scratching the talented 21-year-old van Riemsdyk was no easy task, but it’s better than dressing 13 forwards or benching Darroll Powe, who has earned his roster spot.

“When you lose, obviously you want to try to shake things up,” van Riemsdyk told Frank Servalli. “I don’t know, the decision is up to him.”

The Flyers also announced that goaltender Michael Leighton will start in goal after a disappointing effort in his debut in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Leighton has earned the right to have a chance to rebound so give him one more shot, although he should be on a very short leash.


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