Sealed with 36 stitches, John LeClair looked like he had a vertical zipper on the right side of his nose yesterday.
LeClair’s blood-pouring gash came late in the third period Thursday, when he was accidentally struck by the blade of Martin Brodeur’s stick during the third game of the Flyers-Devils playoff series. The blade also caught an area around LeClair’s right eye, which required another three stitches, as well.
Wearing sunglasses to hide the swelling, the Flyers’ star forward said yesterday at Meadowlands Arena that he would wear a face shield tonight during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“It’s not a huge adjustment,” said LeClair, who did not participate in an optional skate yesterday. “It really won’t be.”
LeClair, who had an assist in the Flyers’ 4-2 road victory against the Devils in Game 3, said his vision was not blurred. As for the scar along his nose, he said, “It’s a cut, a pretty good cut, but I feel fine.”
The incident occurred when Brodeur was clearing a puck from behind the goal. LeClair was struck on Brodeur’s follow through, and said he realizes the bloodletting was unintentional.
“I came from behind, it’s one of those plays that happen, he never saw me,” LeClair said.
LeClair, 30, doesn’t expect the Devils to take it easy on him as a result of the injury.
“I’m sure I’m going to get a glove in the face,” he said.
Right wing Rick Tocchet said that having LeClair return for Game 4 will give the club a boost.
“That just gives us more inspiration,” Tocchet said.
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Still recuperating from a concussion that he suffered in Game 2, center Daymond Langkow is questionable for tonight’s game. He did not play in Game 3, and is not with the club. A Flyers spokesman said that Langkow was improving, but remained day to day.
Coach Craig Ramsay said that he doesn’t believe the Flyers have the momentum in the series, despite having won two straight games and leading two games to one.
“We never underestimate the Devils,” he said. “They’ll be on top of their game.”
Added LeClair, “The series isn’t over. It’s a one-game advantage. It could be evened tomorrow.”