Colin McDonald joins Flyers to face his old team

NEW YORK — The reigning veteran of Barclays Center was at dead center ice leading the Flyers in stretches.

It was before his first game with Flyers and Colin McDonald had a two-game lead on everyone else in the building. He played a pair of exhibition games back when he was with the New York Islanders, Wednesday's opponent.

Called up to replace Sam Gagner, who suffered a pressure cut above his left eye Monday in an overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes, McDonald is back in the NHL after starting the season as captain of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

"Funny how sports works these things out," said McDonald, 31. "Just to get another day in the NHL I’m obviously very happy. A chance to play against my former team, it’s a chance to prove and play with a chip on my shoulder."

Gagner may not be back for a little while. It was reported that he was hospitalized Monday night, but general manager Ron Hextall wouldn't confirm that. McDonald is really here to replicate the play of Ryan White, who has been out of the lineup with a shoulder injury since Nov. 14.

"Whenever you're looking to recall somebody, you're looking for a guy who fits in a certain place and brings qualities you feel you need in a certain place in your lineup and Mac, right now, was the fit," Hextall said. "We talked about three or four guys, and we thought Mac fit the spot we needed."

That is why he passed up on recalling Petr Straka, the Czech who is tied for the lead the American Hockey League in goals with 12.

"I mean, he's played very well and we're happy with him," Hextall added, "but if you look at every player and say, 'Where's he going to be in your lineup and what type of opportunities is he going to have?' Petr is the type of guy that you kind of want to put him on a line where he has a chance to score, and Mac's the type of guy you want to put on a line where they are going to grind it out, work hard, spend time in the offensive zone, cycle the puck."

McDonald, who returned last week from a "lower-body injury" suffered in the Phantoms' season opener, was surprised to be in the lineup after he was called up. Vinny Lecavalier is a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game.

"Just when you think you’ve seen it all in this game, something like this happens," McDonald said. "Yes I was a bit surprised. I thought they might want to give me more time in the American League to get my timing down. I did feel really good last weekend – three road games. Maybe coaches liked what they saw and thought I was ready to play (here)."

Dave Isaac; (856) 486-2479; disaac@gannettnj.com