After the return of Claude Giroux last night, the Philadelphia Flyers will get another player back on Saturday vs the Sabres. This time on defense.
Justin Braun is the latest Philadelphia Flyers player to clear covid protocol & return to the lineup.
Braun, who cleared protocol on Wednesday, could have returned last night vs the Rangers. But, airing on the side of caution, the Flyers held Braun out due to conditioning.
“Brauner will come back tomorrow,” head coach Alain Vigneault said on Tuesday. “But, obviously will be his first day (back) so he will not play tomorrow.”
This caution was warranted. Especially with Justin Braun comments, like Claude Giroux said as well on Tuesday, about his battle with covid wasn’t easy.
“I had it and it was tough,” Justin Braun said on Wednesday. “There were probably four or five days when I was not in good shape.”
Braun added “I feel good now and it’s great to be back on the ice today. Hopefully Saturday I can get back in there and get back to a little normalcy.”
With Justin Braun expected to return on Sunday, head coach Alain Vigneault has a decision to make on which defensemen exits. Which will likely be between Robert Hagg & Erik Gustafsson.
But, will Justin Braun be the only decision head coach Alain Vigneault will have to make on Saturday?
Another player the Flyers could get back is Jake Voracek. Who passed his protocol today & was removed from the covid list.
Voracek, who head coach Alain Vigneault said never had symptoms, is expected to practice tomorrow & possibly return to the lineup on Saturday. Hopefully providing the same spark that Claude Giroux provided last night in his return.
“Jake’s been chomping at the bit,” head coach Alain Vigneault said last Friday.
If Jake Voracek returns, expect Alain Vigneault to move Nolan Patrick back to his 3rd line center position & put Voracek with Claude Giroux & Kevin Hayes.
Photo Credit : Bob Fina – Inside Hockey
