Neuvirth a long shot to return in regular season

PITTSBURGH - Goalie Michal Neuvirth, who hasn't played since a 3-2 win in Chicago on March 16 because of a knee injury, will resume skating Monday but is still a long shot to be ready during the final weekend of the regular season, general manager Ron Hextall said.

"Is it impossible? No," Hextall said Sunday when asked if Neuvirth could play next weekend. He said it would depend on how Neuvirth feels and what he can do on the ice. "There's a possibility, but a probability, I'd say no."

If the Flyers make the playoffs, Hextall said, he believes Neuvirth would be ready for the opening round.

Hextall said he is hopeful Neuvirth can join the team's practice Tuesday.

Neuvirth was having an outstanding season before suffering the injury, compiling a 17-8-4 record, a 2.28 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage.

Without Neuvirth, Steve Mason has excelled while carrying the workload. On Sunday, Mason made his 14th start in the last 15 games, including the last nine, as the Flyers dropped a 6-2 decision in Pittsburgh.

Sunday marked the first time in the last eight games that the Flyers had not allowed two goals or fewer.

Captain Claude Giroux was blunt when examining Sunday's loss.

"The whole game, we weren't very good," he said. "I think we competed, but we just didn't play the right way."

The Flyers will not play again until Wednesday's critical game in Detroit.

"Rest is going to be important for us," Giroux said. "We have to get as much rest as we can, and obviously the next game is a big one."

The Flyers are 2-0 against the Red Wings this season, including a 2-1 shootout win in Detroit on Jan. 17.

With their WHL seasons over in Calgary, Travis Sanheim and Radel Fazleev will join the Phantoms for the end of the AHL team's season. Asked if Ivan Provorov would join the Phantoms if his junior season ended, Hextall cracked: "Well, he's with my alma mater, the Brandon Wheat Kings, so their season is not going to end." . . . Jake Voracek scored his first goal in his last 11 games. . . . The Flyers are 21-7-13 in one-goal games.