Flyers Notes: Downie an unhappy scratch for Rangers game

NEW YORK - Flyers forward Steve Downie didn't hide his disappointment over being a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the New York Rangers. It was the first time he was a healthy scratch since the Oct. 31 trade with Colorado that returned him to the Flyers for Max Talbot.

Downie began his career with the Flyers after being selected in the first round of the 2005 draft.

"It wasn't my decision," Downie said after Sunday's morning skate at Madison Square Garden. "I want to play."

Coach Craig Berube didn't mince words in explaining his decision.

"I think Steve's intensity level isn't high enough on a shift-in, shift-out basis for me," Berube said. "He has to find that intensity level and has to play on the edge but without being undisciplined."

Downie, who was replaced by Jay Rosehill, suffered an upper-body injury during a 5-4 home win over Columbus on Dec. 19. He missed the next two games but had played every game since.

In his last nine games, Downie did not have a point and was minus-3.

Berube said Downie is healthy.

When asked whether he was still dealing with the injury, Downie responded, "There are a couple of issues - not much, though. It is not an excuse and I won't use it as one."

After going 16 games without scoring a goal, Flyers center Brayden Schenn went on a tear. He had four goals and four assists in his next seven games leading up to Sunday's matchup with New York.

He ended his slump when he scored during a 4-3 shootout win at Vancouver on Dec. 30.

"Once one goes in, the confidence gets going and you start to feel the game instead of thinking the game, and it definitely helps," Schenn said after the morning skate.

Schenn scored the game-winner in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win at New Jersey. He showed his toughness after he was cut in the stomach by a skate. He returned soon after.

"It looked bad on camera and a little bit worse than it was," Schenn said of the gash. "It is fine - there were no stitches needed and I was really lucky."

Forward Matt Read, who missed his sixth straight game with concussion symptoms, was a full participant in the Flyers' morning skate. He is listed as day-to-day.