Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin checks out Michael Leighton during the Flyers' game in Nashville on March 16, 2010. (Getty Images)

(Nashville, TN) – Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton suffered a high left ankle sprain in Tuesday night’s game in Nashville and is day-to-day, according to club general manager Paul Holmgren.

FlyersTV: Leighton describes injury

Leighton left the game with 10:15 remaining in the first period after surrendering two goals on five shots to the Predators in the 4-3 shootout loss. Brian Boucher came on in relief, and allowed just one goal shortly after entering the game before Martin Erat got the only tally in the shootout.

Leighton explained what happened after the game.

“I went out to get the puck and it got away from me and I just went back on my leg and felt my [ankle] pop,” he said. “It was just the way I fell backwards. I felt something pop, and it didn’t feel good.”

The goaltender went on to say that when he stands up he feels fine, but leaning forward in his stance is when it gives him pain.

“I have to get an MRI and we’ll kind of go from there and see what the severity is of it,” he said.

Boucher will almost certainly get the start in net in the Flyers’ next game on their current road trip on Thursday night in Dallas (8:30 p.m., CSN). His last start came on December 21 vs. Florida, but he has come on in relief of Leighton in four games since then.

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was happy with Boucher’s play as Philadelphia rallied for two goals in the third to tie the Predators for a big point in the standings.

“The times that he’s been in there, once he’s settled into the games, he’s looked solid,” he said. “After the [third Nashville goal], I thought he was really good.”

Leighton, who was claimed on re-entry waivers from Carolina in December, entered Tuesday’s game with a 16-5-2 record, 2.42 goals against average and .921 save percentage in 26 games with Philadelphia.

Philadelphia will likely recall goaltender Johan Backlund from Adirondack. Backlund has dressed as the Flyers’ backup in eight games this season but has never seen any NHL action. In 41 games with the Phantoms, he is 21-17-2 with a 2.79 goals against average and .906 save percentage.

Ray Emery is out for the year with a hip condition.