Flyers' Downie appears ready to return

Flyers winger Steve Downie, who missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, skated at Friday's practice in Voorhees and appears ready to return to the lineup.

The Flyers play in Edmonton Saturday, starting a six-game trip that will also take them to Vancouver, Calgary, Colorado, Phoenix and New Jersey.

Downie was on the fourth line Friday, along with Chris VandeVelde and Zac Rinaldo. When he was healthy, Downie was on a productive line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read.

Scott Hartnell is now on the Couturier line.

Adam Hall was ill and did not practice Friday, but he will make the trip.

The Flyers are trying to end a five-game road losing streak (0-3-2); they have won nine straight at home.

Edmonton plays in Calgary Friday.

No word yet on whether Olilers' goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will face the Flyers on Saturday.

Hartnell thinks he will, pointing out that the game is on Hockey Night in Canada and that it would be great theater if the colorful goalie opposed his former teammates.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter at BroadStBull.