Neuvirth returns to Flyers practice

For the first time since he suffered a knee injury last month, Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth practiced with the team Tuesday in Voorhees.

"It went good, and I'm going to go day by day," Neuvirth said. "It's been a long time, and for me right now it's about getting back to 100 percent and feeling good about myself again."

The Czech Republic native got off to a disappointing start, compiling a 3.54 goals-against average and .859 save percentage in nine appearances. He has missed the last 20 games, and Steve Mason has started 18 of them.

Neuvirth, 28, who can become a unrestricted free agent in July, will make the three-game road trip that starts in St. Louis on Wednesday, but he is not expected to play until the team returns home.

"I was doing everything, and it was the first good test for me, and it went well," Neuvirth said of Tuesday's practice. "I'm really happy about it."

Mason said the holiday break came at a good time.

"It was nice to just completely leave hockey for a few days and just enjoy time with family and friends," he said. "I think everybody needed it. It's been such a busy start to the year. It's amazing we've already played almost half the season. We want to have a good month of January to set us up for the final push."

After St. Louis, the Flyers will play in San Jose and Anaheim.

"We play three extremely big, strong teams, so it's going to be a good test for us," Mason said.

Defenseman Mark Streit (shoulder) practiced Tuesday but said he needs more time before he is ready to play. Like Matt Read (oblique injury), he will make the three-game road trip but likely won't play until next week.

"I'm not quite there yet, but it feels good to be out there with the team," Streit said. "It's going to be a process."

Veteran defenseman Nick Schultz, who has been a healthy scratch the last 22 games, is expected to replace Brandon Manning in Wednesday's lineup. . . . Wayne Simmonds on playing Wednesday after a long layoff: "We don't want to feel our way into it. We just want to go into it full bore." . . . Mason has been watching the Flyers' prospects compete in the World Junior Championship. "Anybody who has been a part of it [knows] it's a big part of your development," he said.