Flyers goalie Ray Emery hurt; Stolarz is called up

RALEIGH, N.C. - As the Flyers continue their spirited playoff run Tuesday in Carolina, only their third- and fourth-string goalies will be available for the matchup with the Hurricanes.

Ray Emery suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury Monday at practice in Voorhees, forcing the Flyers to recall Anthony Stolarz from the AHL's Phantoms.

That means Rob Zepp, 33, who is in his first NHL season, will make his third consecutive start Tuesday, and Stolarz will be his backup.

General manager Ron Hextall, whose team is four points out of a playoff spot, said that Emery had been dealing with a nagging injury before Monday, and that he probably would be sidelined a "few days."

Zepp is expected to face veteran Cam Ward, who would become the fourth active goalie to play in his 500th career game.

Steve Mason, making a comeback from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, has not practiced yet with the team, and is not ready. Mason made the trip, and there is a slight chance he can play Thursday in Toronto.

Mason will skate Tuesday morning "and we'll see where he's at and go from there," Hextall said.

Hextall said it is more likely that Mason will return Saturday night against the visiting New York Rangers. Defenseman Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) also may return in that game.

The Flyers (26-23-11) and Hurricanes (21-30-7) have split a pair of games this season, and they will meet five times.

- Sam Carchidi