VOORHEES, N.J. – Setting up the possibility of a dramatic return late in the Eastern Conference Finals, Eric Lindros skated by himself for just under 30 minutes yesterday at the Flyers’ practice facility.

He left the ice to work out on a stationary bicycle be-

fore the Flyers began their morning skate in preparation for Game 2 last night, when they would attempt to even the series against the Devils at the First Union Center in Philadelphia.

Lindros, the Flyers’ star center, has not played in a game since suffering a concussion on March 12. As he prepared a comeback, he suffered yet another concussion (his fourth of the season) during a controlled scrimmage when he was hit by a Flyer minor-league prospect. Beside the head injury, Lindros needed 20 stitches to close a cut on his upper lip.

Lindros, 27, was unavailable for comment yesterday, but teammates said he seemed upbeat when they saw him in the dressing room.

“He said he’s feeling real good,” backup goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck said.

After receiving treatment in his hometown of Toronto this past weekend, the 6-foot-4, 236-pound Lindros returned to South Jersey to begin a vigorous on- and off-ice conditioning program yesterday.

The eighth-year Flyer is expected to skate privately again today, before starting a four-day stretch of practicing his stick-handling with another player and a goaltender. Then he is to undergo neuro

psychological testing in Philadelphia before traveling on May 22 to Chicago to be examined by Dr. James Kelly.

If cleared, Lindros is expected to participate in full

team practices on May 23, one day before Game 6 at Meadowlands Arena. That is, if the series lasts that long.

For the Flyers, Lindros’ return for Game 6 or 7 would be their version of the Knicks’ Willis Reed coming out for Game 7 against the Lakers in 1970’s NBA championship.

“It would be an inspiration,” defenseman Andy Delmore said. “He’s a phenomenal player. It would be great for the whole team. Everyone would be excited.”

But in a season filled with adversities and extraordinary circumstances, a Lindros comeback would just add to the Flyers’ continuing saga.

Events began unfolding last July 14 when Gene Hart, “the Voice of the Flyers” for 28 years died from kidney and liver failure at 68. Nine days later, defenseman Dmitri Tertyshny was killed in a boating accident.

On Feb. 19, coach Roger Neilson coached his last game before beginning treatments for multiple myeloma, a form of bone-marrow cancer. And on March 27, General Manager Bobby Clarke stripped Lindros of the team’s captaincy for criticizing the training and medical staff.

By May 23, the Flyers will know if Lindros is ready for his close-up. In the meantime, interim coach Craig Ramsay refuses to give it any thought.

“I don’t think about anybody who’s not ready to play,” Ramsay said. “When he becomes ready we’ll welcome him back.”