Flyers hope LW Gagne can play Tuesday

Jan 5, 2009 - 9:14 PM VOORHEES, New Jersey (Ticker) -- While the Philadelphia Flyers' injury list seems to grow longer by the day, they hope to have one member of their walking wounded back Tuesday.

Left wing Simon Gagne, who has missed the last two games with a shoulder strain, could return for Tuesday's contest against the Washington Capitals.

"Simon is actually doing better," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Monday. "We'll still say day-to-day, but we're kind of hoping he'll play tomorrow."

However, Holmgren said that right wing Joffrey Lupul is expected to miss two weeks with a pulled abdominal muscle suffered in Friday's 5-4 shootout win in Anaheim. Backup goaltender Antero Niittymaki will be out for seven to 10 days with a strained groin sustained in Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss at Los Angeles.

Rookie center Jonathon Kalinski had surgery Monday to have blood drained from a leg contusion sustained against Los Angeles while right Claude Giroux, another rookie, is day-to-day with a mild concussion.

Center Daniel Briere has missed 14 games with a groin injury, while right wing Arron Asham (knee) and left wings Darroll Powe (hip) and Josh Gratton (abdominal pull) are listed as questionable for Tuesday's game.

Briere said Monday he is at least another week or two away from returning to the lineup.

Despite the injury epidemic, the Flyers are in first place in the Atlantic Division - one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.