Flyers’ Carter Hart to miss time with right lower abdominal strain injury

It won't matter how well the Flyers are playing. This season, the team will be thankful for its NHL-mandated bye week from Jan. 22-30.

Especially after Carter Hart's right lower abdominal strain injury, which will keep the 21-year-old goalie out for two to three weeks.

As a result, the Flyers on Wednesday called up Alex Lyon under emergency conditions from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. The Flyers needed cap space and roster room for Lyon, so rookie Joel Farabee was loaned to the Phantoms, while the team also placed veteran Chris Stewart on waivers.

Hart, who has been instrumental in the Flyers' improvements, left practice early Tuesday with the injury. Because of the break, Hart may miss only four to seven games. Shayne Gostisbehere will also use the break to rest up from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

In his first full NHL season, Hart has gone 15-11-3 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .905 save percentage over 32 games, while he has been dominant at home, going 13-2-2 with a 1.69 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.

Brian Elliott was already slated to start Wednesday in St. Louis against the Blues (8 p.m. ET/NBCSN). Lyon could be called upon to start Thursday's game against the Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Farabee is not expected to be with the Phantoms for long and is an important piece to the Flyers' youth movement ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline (see story). Stewart will play Wednesday night and if he clears waivers, he can report to Lehigh Valley, while a roster spot would be open for Farabee's return.

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