Flyers' Briere draws 2-game suspension

The Flyers' already thin offense got thinner yesterday.

Danny Briere, who leads the Flyers with 10 goals, was suspended for two games because of a hit the NHL deemed illegal on Colorado's Scott Hannan after the defenseman scored a goal in the Avalanche's 5-4 win Monday.

A center who has been playing right wing, Briere will miss tonight's game in Long Island against the New York Islanders, along with Friday's matinee against Buffalo at the Wachovia Center

"I respect the decision," said Briere, whose team is missing injured forwards Simon Gagne, Darroll Powe, Blair Betts, and Arron Asham. "I'll live with it and try to move on."

Midway through the second period Monday, Briere appeared to leap and check Hannan in the head, forcing the player to leave the game; Briere was not penalized for the hit.

Briere finished Monday with a pair of goals and two assists - his first four-point game since last year and the third in his three seasons with the Flyers.

"It's obviously disappointing to not have Danny in the lineup for the next few games, but it's a decision that the league has come down with, and we'll live with it," general manager Paul Holmgren said.

Briere will forfeit $67,357.52 in salary. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Flyers (12-8-1) are 1-3 on the five-game road trip, which ends tonight against the much-improved Islanders (9-8-7). The Flyers have defeated the Isles 10 straight times.

In Monday's loss, the Flyers were woeful in the first two periods before dominating the final 20 minutes - outshooting the Avs, 10-4, and outscoring them, 2-0, in the last period.

"We had a stretch of games where we were playing consistent hockey for 60 minutes and we were winning those games," said defenseman Chris Pronger, whose team has three straight regulation losses for the first time since last November

"The last three games, we have not played consistent hockey for 60 minutes."

Coach John Stevens called the Islanders "a hardworking team that is playing with a lot of confidence.  This game is not only critical for the road trip but critical for where we are in the standings."

The game matches two of the league's elite rookies: the Islanders' John Tavares (19 points) and the Flyers' James van Riemsdyk (18). They are ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, among NHL rookie scorers.

Former Flyer Marty Biron could start for the Islanders.

Boucher in net. Backup goalie Brian Boucher will get tonight's start. He relieved Ray Emery midway through Monday's second period and allowed just one goal.

"It's important to get Boosh back into the net," Stevens said. "He has played better and better, and he was sharp when he came in relief."

Asham ready? Asham, who has missed the last four games with a strained side, practiced with the team in Long Island yesterday and may return to the lineup tonight.

Asham will do some battling drills along the walls during today's morning skate, after which the Flyers will decide if he is ready to return.

"I am here if they need me," said Asham, adding he was pain-free yesterday. "Hopefully, I can be in the lineup."

Timonen OK. Stevens denied that Kimmo Timonen was hurt even though he used to defenseman sparingly in the third period Monday, and Timonen did not practice with the team yesterday.

"We are just giving him a day of rest so he can get ready" for tonight's game, Stevens said.