Ray Emery thinks he is ready to go.
The Flyers' goalie who has been rehabbing a groin pull got lots of work Thursday in preparation for this weekend’s back-to-back encounter with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Emery has a 2.78 goals-against average and lifetime .894 save percentage against the Penguins -- not that good. But his GAA is lower than Steve Mason’s, which is 3.18.
The Flyers begin a challenging stretch of 12 games against opponents, each of whom are holding playoff seeds and each of whom have more points than the Flyers.
“I thought [Emery] looked good today,” coach Craig Berube said. “I asked him and he said it felt good. That’s where it ended.”
Berube said it was “possible” Emery plays one of these games on Saturday or Sunday.
“It’s nice to get a whole practice in,” Emery said. “I feel better and better.”
NHL
Emery said there was nothing he could not do on the ice in terms of movement.
“It’s just about being real confident in movement and being real sharp and game-ready type of thing,” he said.
Emery injured his groin last month in practice then tweaked it during the Flyers' 7-3 loss to San Jose on Feb. 27. He has not played since then. He has had just two full practices with the Flyers.
Loose pucks
Zac Rinaldo practiced and is ready to go after missing the New Jersey game with a neck injury. ... Cal Heeter and Chris VandeVelde were sent back to the Phantoms on Thursday night. He replaced Rinaldo in the loss to the Devils. It remains unknown whether he sticks around or goes back to the Phantoms.