Brayden Schenn feels 'better than I thought' after hit

Flyers center Brayden Schenn was relieved Wednesday after surviving a nasty hit from Washington's Tom Wilson during Tuesday's 5-2 win over the visiting Capitals.

Skating at full speed, Wilson hit Schenn, whose head crashed into the boards. Schenn needed to be helped off the ice. He said he has a stiff upper back and neck from the incident.

"I feel good, better than I thought," Schenn said after he sat out Wednesday's optional practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.

According to general manager Paul Holmgren, a formal concussion test was not needed after a preliminary evaluation. Schenn agreed.

"I have had a concussion before and I know what they are like," Schenn said. "I had it for a month's time and I had no symptoms" this time.

Schenn is listed as day-to-day by the Flyers, who host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

"I would probably say he is questionable for [the game], but there is a chance he could play," Holmgren said. "We will see [Thursday] morning."

Schenn said he received a text message from Wilson on Wednesday. The two players are represented by the same agency, Schenn said.

"He reached out to me, and I appreciate the text and there is really nothing more than that," Schenn said.

Schenn and Wilson fought during the Flyers' final preseason game this year, a 6-3 loss at Washington on Sept. 27. Schenn said he did not believe that the fight factored into the latest hit.

"We had a fight earlier in the year, but I don't think I ever talked to him out on the ice," Schenn said. "I don't think it is anything personal at all."

The league's Department of Player Safety will interview Wilson by telephone on Thursday.

Neither Flyers coach Craig Berube nor Holmgren would comment on whether Wilson should be suspended. Berube said that Wilson needed to play more under control.

"You can't run around recklessly, because plays like that happen," Berube said.

Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn, Brayden's brother, was relieved that the injury wasn't more severe.

"It's pretty tough because he is my brother, but to see anybody going into the boards like that headfirst is really tough," Luke Schenn said after practice. "Those boards have absolutely no give, and the first thing you think of is the neck and back of the head."

Reliving the experience has been difficult for Brayden Schenn.

"It was pretty tough to watch last night, and I feel I got really lucky," he said. "I don't think I have ever gone headfirst into the boards before without getting my arms up or anything like that."

This will be Flyers goalie Steve Mason's first time facing Columbus since he was traded by the Blue Jackets on April 3. Berube would not say for sure whether Mason would be in goal, but the goalie sounded as if he was ready to face his ex-teammates.

"As the season has gone on, it is not something I have looked ahead to, but now that it has come it is an exciting time," Mason said.

Vinny Lecavalier skated for about a half-hour as he continues to recover from a non-displaced fracture in his back that has sidelined him for eight games.

"The fact he was out there today was a good sign," Holmgren said. "I would say he is probably at least two to three weeks away from playing, but it could be quicker than that if he feels good."