With the Flyers facing elimination in today’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, they will be pulling out all the stops.  That inculdes the return of defenseman Braydon Coburn.  Coburn was hit in the face with a puck off Hal Gill’s stick in Game 2 and hasn’t played since.

Coburn’s eye was swollen shut, and once the swelling subsided he’s dealt with some vision issues, but it’s improved to the point where he should be okay to play.  Coburn will be wearing a visor, something he’s never worn in his career, which will be another adjustment.

The Flyers are saying that Coburn won’t play unless he’s 100%.  Any Flyers fan cringes at the thought of the Flyers medical staff making any type of playing decisions, so even if Coburn isn’t 100% , expect to see him on the ice.  A Coburn at 80% is better then Ryan Parent at 100%.

The offical decision will be made this morning, but I expect Coburn to be on the ice this afternoon.

Coburn might not be the only defenseman returning.  Reports have surfaced the Kimmo Timonen also might make his return today in Pittsburgh.  Timonen suffered a blood clot in his ankle after getting hit with a shot in Game 5 against the Canadiens, and has not played in any games against the Penguins.  Timonen has felt some pain and numbing during practive, but providing the doctors say there’s no risk, he’ll be on the ice. 

“I hope to be on the ice. I’ve got to trust the doctors that there is no risk at all if I play,” said Timonen, who missed the first four games of the series with a blood clot in his foot. “The symptoms won’t be gone, they will be the same, but it felt pretty good today at practice, and that’s why I’m pretty confident I’m ready to go. I talked to the doctors and our trainers in the last [week]. I just want to make sure there is no risk of me going out there, and then something bad happens. . . . That’s the only issue.”

Having Coburn and Timonen back will be a huge lift for the Flyers, who have missed their top two defenseman most of the series.  It’s effected the team through the first four games.  The duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have a combine nine points.  The Penguins are also 7-0 this playoffs at Mellon Arena.

Game 5 is today at 3:00 on NBC.