Now that third-string goaltender Michael Leighton has proven himself human with a 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, does Flyers coach Peter Laviolette yank him in favor of Ray Emery when the Flyers visit Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon? The early odds say he does not. Laviolette was extremely loyal to Leighton during his magnificent 8-0-1 run and defended his goalie following Thursday night’s shutout loss, saying he kept the Flyers in the game early. In truth, Leighton had no chance on three of the Leafs’ four goals as the Flyers allowed one odd-man rush after another. Emery has been practicing with the Flyers for a week now, but has not played a game since Dec. 5 when the Flyers were blown out 8-2 in Laviolette’s debut as coach. Emery pulled himself from the lineup after that game and underwent surgery to repair an abdominal tear. Emery’s recovery was expected to be six weeks but he was back in less than five and fulfilled a conditioning assignment with the AHL Phantoms last weekend

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