Flyers C Briere out vs. Penguins

Nov 14, 2008 - 12:09 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers center Daniel Briere will not play in Thursday's game against the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 31-year-old will be sidelined five to seven days due to a slight left groin strain.

After scoring a goal with 6:40 remaining in the second period, Briere left Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders with the injury.

Briere, who has notched five goals and four assists in eight contests this season, stressed that the injury is not related to his previous one, which sidelined him for six games prior to his return against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

"It's not related. It's another injury, and that's what's so frustrating," he said. "It's not the same area."

"It's unfortunate," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "I thought he came back and played well, and obviously he's a big part of our team."

To accommodate for the loss of Briere, Stevens will shift defenseman Lasse Kukkonen to center for Thursday's game against the Penguins.

"With the amount of call-ups we've had already, we're a little restricted there. We'll use the guys that we have here," Stevens said. "If he gives us a good two or three shifts a period, I think it would be invaluable."

Although relatively unaccustomed to the position, Kukkonen has an idea how to handle the change.

"I'll let (Arron Asham) and (Josh Gratton) go and do the forecheck, and I'll try and be the third guy high," the Finn said. "Just keep it simple."