Report: Flyers' Ian Laperriere to Return for Game 4

(UPDATE: The Flyers have officially announced Laperriere will play in Game 4, as will forward Jeff Carter. TSN's Darren Dreger reports Andreas Nodl and Daniel Carcillo will sit out.)

MONTREAL --- Ian Laperriere walked past a group of reporters who were informed minutes prior that neither he nor fellow injured Philadelphia Flyers forward Jeff Cater were allowed to talk to the media by order of GM Paul Holmgren.

"Hey, I'm talking," he joked Friday as he ducked into a side room.

While the Flyers were mum on the status of Laperriere and Carter, French-language sports channel RDS is reporting Laperriere will play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals at the Bell Centre on Saturday.

Flyers lead series, 2-1
Flyers vs. Canadiens: Series Page | Full NHL Playoffs Coverage

Laperriere has been skating with the team the entire week as he rehabbed from a mild concussion and and a brain contusion when he blocked the shot with his face in Game 5 of the first-round series against the New Jersey Devils on April 22. He's also been adjusting to a face shield.

"He's a guy who is very energetic in the dressing room as much as on the ice to get us going, to get us pumped up," Flyers forward Danny Briere said. "He talks a lot in the dressing room and on the ice. So just his presence I think is going to bring a lot."

Carter, who has been out of the lineup since he injured his left foot in Game 4 against the Devils, skated for the second consecutive day.

Who's Watching the Kids: At age 15, Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michael Leighton eyed an Itech goalie mask he wanted.

"It was a new-style helmet,' his mother, Virginia Leighton, said. "Michael babysat one summer, his first job ever, to buy that helmet. It was $800 and we couldn't afford it. "

To come up with the rest of the cash, Michael Leighton took up a job at a bakery near his family's Ontario, Canada, home where he began work each day at 3 a.m.

Leighton's parents said the two big expenses linked to their three sons: the orthodontist and hockey gear, made even more expensive since Michael and his older brother, Randy, were goalies.

"Unfortunately, both grew up at different times and were different sizes, so we couldn't hand down equipment," said Michael's dad, Terry.

Been There, Done That: The Canadiens have overcome 3-1 and 3-2 series deficits through the first two rounds to advance, but Montreal had enjoyed early leads against both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Montreal won Game 1 in the first round and was even with the Pens at 1-1 then 2-2. Of course, panic won't set in if the Habs manage to lose Game 3 and fall to a 3-1 deficit.

"Well, we've had enough practice," Montreal coach Jacques Martin smiled. "You know, basically since the Olympic break, we've been playing desperate hockey. ... I think it speaks for the character of the players in the room and the leadership in the room."