Flyers D Coburn doubtful for Game Three

May 12, 2008 - 7:51 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Already without their top defenseman, the Philadelphia Flyers may be forced to continue their Eastern Conference final series against the Pittsburgh Penguins with their No. 2 blue-liner on the sidelines.

According to a report on the team's web site Monday, Braydon Coburn is doubtful for Game Three on Tuesday as a result of a facial injury suffered in Sunday's 4-2 loss in Game Two.

The Flyers trail in the series, two games to none.

Coburn left Sunday's setback at the Mellon Arena just 1:51 into the first period after being on the receiving end of a puck to the face.

Pittsburgh defenseman Hal Gill blasted a shot from the left point that deflected off All-Star Evgeni Malkin's stick and into the face of Coburn, hitting the 23-year-old near the left eye. Coburn immediately fell to the ice and was bleeding profusely.

After being attended to by trainers, Coburn quickly retreated to the locker room and did not return.

"He had no loss of consciousness," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Monday. "At the time, he was cognizant and aware when (trainer Jim McCrossin) got to him."

Holmgren still is unsure of the exact injury.

"We're still waiting to hear word on how his eye actually is," Holmgren said. "Right now, it's swollen shut, there are no fractures and he's doing better. We have no reason to think that there's anything wrong with the eye itself.

"Last night, our doctors who were at the game thought he was fine, but we just wanted him to get checked out by an actual ophthalmologist. Assuming there are no issues there, we'll just wait for the swelling to go down. I would say for the game (Tuesday), he's probably doubtful."

Holmgren admitted Coburn still was feeling the effects of the injury when the team returned to Philadelphia following Sunday's game.

"He did have some issues on the plane last night, but I think everybody thinks it was due to loss of blood," the GM said. "He lost a lot of blood from that injury."

The potential loss of Coburn is yet another blow to Philadelphia, which began the conference finals without All-Star defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who was diagnosed with a blood clot in his left foot on Thursday. The Finn will miss the entire series, and likely the Stanley Cup Finals should the Flyers advance.