Brian Boucher’s chances of suiting up for Game 1 looking good

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher is helped from the ice after teammate Ryan Parent and Boston Bruins right wing Miroslav Satan landed on him during the second period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL playoff hockey series in Boston, Monday, May 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP

As I speculated earlier this week, it sounds like there’s a good chance that Brian Boucher will be available to back up Michael Leighton. NHL.com reports that - while it’s not a guarantee - he should be the Philadelphia Flyers No. 2 goalie for Game 1.

Boucher, who was in agonizing pain after teammate Ryan Parent fell on his legs during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, practiced Friday at United Center on the eve of Game 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Boucher says nothing is official, but he’s “99 percent” sure he’ll be backing up Michael Leighton Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS).

“Medically I’m ready to go,” Boucher said. “If it doesn’t happen it will be a coach’s decision, but I don’t anticipate that being the case.”

It’s surprising that Boucher is coming back so soon after spraining both his knees not that long ago. Then again, this is the time of year when players defy logic and medical science to fight through injuries.