Peter Forsberg really is sick of losing.
The Flyers captain and former NHL MVP skipped practice with the flu and might miss Saturday’s game against Buffalo, leaving Philadelphia without its best player against the Eastern Conference’s top team.
Even with a sniffle-free Forsberg in the lineup, the Flyers have been the worst team in the league this season. While Philadelphia wasn’t picked as a legitimate preseason Stanley Cup contender, no one could have predicted this dramatic fall to the bottom of the standings.
“It looks so bad right now,” Forsberg said.
The Flyers are 3-11-1 overall for a league-worst seven points. They are the only team in the East with a single-digit point total.
One-timers
Coyotes captain Shane Doan doesn’t need surgery but will be sidelined up to three weeks with a lingering back injury, team officials said. . . . Sabres goalie Ryan Miller missed Friday night’s game against Florida with a lower-body muscle strain. Miller developed soreness during off-ice exercises and doesn’t know how much time he’ll miss.
THREE STARS
1. Dominik Hasek
Red Wings
Stopped 21 shots to record 2nd consecutive shutout in 3-0 victory over Predators. It gave him 71 career shutouts.
2. Michael Nylander
Rangers
Scored 2 goals, including one 15 seconds into game, and added assist in 5-2 win over Thrashers. Rangers won for 4th time in 5 games.
3. Ryan Smyth
Oilers
Scored twice as Oilers snapped 4-game losing streak with 4-1 win over Blue Jackets. The defending Western Conference champion Oilers had lost 6 of 7 to fall to 9th place in conference.
