Another Scorer Drops for Flyers

Primeau will be out at least three weeks with a sprained knee, team physician Art Bartolozzi said Tuesday.

Primeau, who has 34 goals and 73 points, injured his left knee Monday night when he caught his skate in a rut as he was hit by Ottawa`s Chris Phillips in the third period of the Flyers` 3-3 tie with the Senators.

"I knew it was bad right away," Primeau said before an examination and an MRI on Tuesday confirmed he had a Grade 2 sprain of the MCL.

"At this point in the season you feel like you are letting your teammates down," Primeau said. "At this point you hope you are prepared for the playoffs."

Bartolozzi said Primeau will not be ready for the April 11 start of the NHL playoffs.

"He will be out for at least three weeks, and will be re-evaluated at that time," Bartolozzi said.

Despite not having Lindros and LeClair for almost the entire season, the Flyers trail New Jersey by six points for first place in the Atlantic Division entering the Devils` game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Lindros, a restricted free agent, refuses to play for the Flyers, and continues waiting for a trade. LeClair just returned Saturday after missing all but eight games this season with back problems.

LeClair underwent back surgery Oct. 21 in Los Angeles and returned to action Nov. 26, about one week sooner than expected. He then played six more games, developed back spasms on Dec. 10, and five weeks later learned he had a staph infection in his lower back.

The Flyers also were without All-Star forward Simon Gagne for 12 games until Saturday because of a dislocated shoulder. Mark Recchi, Justin Williams and Daymond Langkow also have missed time this season.

"It`s the way it`s been all season," Primeau said. "We have to continue fighting to win and get home-ice advantage for the playoffs."

With six games remaining in the regular season, Philadelphia is three points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference. The top four teams get home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Primeau, acquired last January from Carolina in a trade for Rod Brind`Amour, is one point shy of a career-high 74 points. Without Lindros, he became the top-line center and the team`s lone scoring threat at that position.

"It`s another major challenge," Flyers coach Bill Barber said. "Keith has been a major part of the success we`ve had. He`s tough to replace."

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)