Flyers goalie Michael Leighton needs back surgery, out at least six weeks

PHILADELPHIA - Flyers goalie Michael Leighton will undergo surgery next week to repair a bulging disc in his back.

The procedure, a partial discectomy, will be performed Monday in Philadelphia, the Flyers said Friday. Leighton is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Leighton was strong during last year's post-season and helped the Flyers make a surprise run to the Stanley Cup final. He went 8-3 with a 2.56 goals-against average in 14 playoffs games and set a team playoff record with three shutouts as Philadelphia won its first Eastern Conference championship since 1997.

Flyers rookie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 29 shots in his first NHL game in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.