Giroux improving, Flyers say

Flyers center Claude Giroux, the NHL's leading scorer, "felt better this morning," GM Paul Holmgren said.

Giroux, who suffered a head injury on Saturday, will be evaluated again on Monday morning.

Holmgren also said goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was doing much better and should be able to play Tuesday in Washington.

Rookie Erik Gustafsson, recovering from wrist surgery, is also making strides, Holmgren said. The defenseman will start skating this week and may be ready to play in 10-14 days, according to Holmgren.

Giroux, who will turn 24 next month, was injured late in the second period of Saturday's 5-2 win over visiting Tampa Bay, getting inadvertently kneed in the back of the head by teammate Wayne Simmonds.

"He was in front of me and I tried to jump over him and I don't know where I caught him," Simmonds said.

Entering Sunday, Giroux was among the NHL leaders in several categories, including points (39, first); assists (23, tied for second); game-winning goals (five, tied for first); and goals (16, tied for fifth). He is also one of the Flyers' best penalty killers and leads the team in face-off percentage (51.5 percent).

Giroux leads Flyers forwards in average time on ice at 21:28 per game.

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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.

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