Flyers' Elliott expected to start for 1st time in nearly 2 months

The Philadelphia Flyers will likely have their most experienced goaltender in the crease for the critical penultimate game of the regular season.

Brian Elliott will start against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, assuming there are no setbacks, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 32-year-old netminder hasn't played since Feb. 10 and underwent core muscle surgery three days later. His original timetable was five-to-six weeks.

Philadelphia enters Thursday's action occupying the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, four points ahead of the Florida Panthers, who have a game in hand.

The Flyers can clinch a playoff berth with either a win of any kind and a Panthers loss of any kind, or a single point and a Panthers loss in regulation.