Flyers Notes: Flyers' Boucher surprised by decision to sit him for opener

Flyers Notes

PITTSBURGH - Brian Boucher's experience, his starring role in last season's playoffs, and his strong 2010 preseason figured to get him the starting-goaltender nod when the Eastern Conference champion Flyers opened the season in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Instead Sergei "Bob" Bobrovsky, a 22-year-old rookie, got the call.

"I was a little shocked," Boucher said before the game.

During the preseason, Bobrovsky and Boucher both excelled. Boucher, 33, had a 1.90 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Bobrovsky, signed as an undrafted free agent in May, had a 1.76 GAA and a .939 save percentage.

"It's not based on one day or two," coach Peter Laviolette said of his decision to start Bobrovsky. "From the time he's been here, he's been sharp every game, every situation, every practice. He's been really good, and I think Boosh came in and played well. It's nice to have two goaltenders, and you'll see both of them early in the season."

Laviolette made a bold move, starting a rookie against one of the NHL's top teams as it opened its new arena, the Consol Energy Center.

Bobrovsky, who played the previous two seasons in Russia, showed poise beyond his years in the preseason. Nothing fazed him. Still, most thought he would not play his first NHL game until Saturday - at the earliest - in St. Louis.

Instead, the "Bob" era began.

Starting the season as the backup did not seem to shake Boucher's confidence.

"The decision won't reflect the way I feel about myself at all," he said. "If I had a terrible camp, then maybe there would be some self-doubt. But I had a great camp and feel like last year, when it was on the line, I did what was asked. I feel good about that."

Boucher said he would be "ready at all times," and he praised Bobrovsky for his impressive preseason.

Bobrovsky, at 22 years, 17 days, become the youngest goalie to start for the Flyers in a season opener. Ron Hextall, who was 22 years, 159 days when he started the 1986 opener, had been the youngest

Pronger sits

Saying his surgically repaired right knee was improving but needed to get stronger, defenseman Chris Pronger sat out Thursday's opener. He could make his season debut Saturday in St. Louis.

The Flyers' defensive pairing Thursday: Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros; Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn; and Oskars Bartulis and Sean O'Donnell.

The lines looked like this: Danny Briere centered Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino; Mike Richards centered Dan Carcillo and Jeff Carter; Claude Giroux centered James van Riemsdyk and Nik Zherdev; and Blair Betts centered Jody Shelley and Darroll Powe.

Breakaways

Goalie Michael Leighton, sidelined with a back injury, was placed on the long-term injured reserve list, meaning his $1.55 million salary will not count against the cap and he must miss 10 games or 24 days. Andreas Nodl was recalled from Adirondack and was a healthy scratch. . . . Before Thursday, the Flyers were 3-3-1 when they opened a new arena. . . . Pittsburgh's Arron Asham, a former Flyer, sat out with a shoulder injury.

- Sam Carchidi