Timonen day-to-day, X-rays negative

Flyers fans feared the worst after top defenseman Kimmo Timonen was forced to leave yesterday's game after being checked into the Capitals goal, but it appears that he could be ready to play again as soon as Thursday. Timonen left the game in the second period to get X-rayed, but, according to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, the results were negative. Timonen is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. While those injury details are vague, it appears that Timonen has avoided a major injury.

Losing Timonen would be a huge blow for the Flyers, as he has been key in making Alexander Ovechkin look human. He is the only Flyers' d-man who has the speed to keep up with Ovechkin and also has the toughness to knock him around. Without Timonen, the Flyers would be forced to have Braydon Coburn and Derian Hatcher try to shut down Ovechkin, and while both players would be able to rough him up, neither has the speed to keep up with the Capitals' star.

Timonen has been the best Flyers d-man this season. He contributes on the power play, penalty kill and he commonly matches up with the opponents best player. Missing him for any stretch of games would cripple the Flyers defense. Luckily, it appears that he won't miss any significant time, but I would still expect him miss at least the next game.