Playoffs 2000:Primeau works out, says he might play Sunday

Primeau works out, says he might play Sunday
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers center Keith Primeau, trying to come back from a concussion suffered Tuesday, said Friday there is an outside chance he will play Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New Jersey Devils.

Primeau said his workout Friday was without any symptons from the concussion.


	Primeau

The Flyers also said center Daymond Langkow, who did not practice Thursday because of a groin injury, is fine and will play Sunday.

Primeau suffered a concussion after colliding with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Bob Boughner in the first period of Game 6 during the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Primeau underwent an MRI of his brain and neck at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital. Results were normal, according to the team.

The Flyers already were without center Eric Lindros, who's been sidelined since March 13 with a concussion. Lindros' condition, however, is getting better and he could participate in full team practices as soon as May 23 if all goes well, his doctor, James Kelly, said Wednesday.

Primeau's injury occurred 18 seconds into his shift and 48 seconds into the game. Seconds after a faceoff, Boughner skated across the neutral zone from along the right wing boards and leveled Primeau, who was skating up ice with his head down.

"I wasn't turned away from the play," Primeau said. "I was looking up ice. It was a clean hit, but it was still a few seconds after the puck had left, so I think I kind of let my guard down and unfortunately it caught me square on the chin and I went down."

The hit followed a controversy in Game 5 Sunday at Philadelphia where Luke Richardson hit Boughner in the chest with a slap shot.

The Penguins contend Richardson intentionally shot the puck at Boughner. On Monday, Boughner promised to get back at Richardson, even if it didn't occur during Game 6.

Boughner insisted the hit on Primeau was clean, and the Flyers agreed.

"I don't think he meant to hurt him," Flyers interim coach Craig Ramsay said.

Philadelphia, which lost four of five games this season to the Devils, plays host to New Jersey in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series Sunday.