Flyers D Timonen ready for Game Four

Apr 16, 2008 - 10:06 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers received some good news on Wednesday.

All-Star defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who suffered an upper body injury late in the second period of the Flyers' 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game Three on Tuesday, declared himself ready to play in Thursday's Game Four of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Flyers lead the best-of-seven series two games to one.

That's music to the ears for coach John Stevens.

"Kimmo has such a good presence on our team. We all know about his power play prowess and the things he's done there, but he's shown an ability to be a really sound defender and he makes such great decisions with the puck," Stevens said. "He's so good at both ends of the rink that he's a guy we're excited that he's going to be able to keep playing."

Timonen was checked into the Capitals' net by Brooks Laich with less than a minute remaining in the second. The Finnish blue-liner appeared to collide with the camera stationed at the bottom of the net and remained on the ice in obvious pain before being attended to by a team trainer and retreating to the locker room.

"I couldn't do anything. I was in the air flying into the camera, so I knew right away, this is probably going to hurt," Timonen said.

While Timonen's return is good news for the Flyers, Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals may beg to differ.

The 32-year-old defenseman has played a significant role in shutting down the Russian superstar.

"If you can get there right away and check (Ovechkin) you do it, and if not, you just give him that room in front of you. That's how Kimmo's handled him," Flyers veteran defenseman Derian Hatcher said. "If he can get there right away he does, and if not, just leave him be on the outside until you feel comfortable you can close and shut him down."

Timonen has eight goals and 36 assists in 80 games this season.