VOORHEES, N.J. - Defenceman Jason Smith practised Thursday and hopes to return from his upper-body injury for Game 1 of Philadelphia's NHL playoff series against Washington.

Smith, the team captain, missed the last game of the regular season and sat out a pair of practices this week as the Flyers prepped for Friday night's game.

"I feel good, I felt good out there today and I actually felt good yesterday," Smith said.

Smith had 10 points (1-9) and 86 penalty minutes in 77 regular season games. He finished third in the NHL in blocked shots (204) and hits (142).