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[Dark Knight]

Please post your thoughts, pictures and comments on tonight's games in this thread.

NYR at Montreal
NJD at Philadelphia
NYI at Washington
Pittsburgh at Carolina
Boston at TBL
Buffalo at Florida
Vancouver at Detroit
Colorado at Nashville
Toronto at Phoenix
Columbus at SJS

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

Thrashers defenceman Mathieu Schneider missed his second straight game because of an upper body injury. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

With Aaron Ward (leg) unavailable for Friday's game against Tampa Bay and Saturday's match against Florida, the Bruins had Matt Lashoff and Johnny Boychuk go through their first practice since their recalls from Providence Monday. Marco Sturm (concussion) hasn't reported any setbacks after completing two practices. Sturm has skated on the fourth line the last two days. Claude Julien said the team will determine whether he can return against the Lightning. - Boston Globe

Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin skated for the second consecutive day as he recovers from an injury suffered Nov. 26 in San Jose. Joel Quenneville said Khabibulin was "questionable" to return to action this weekend, either Saturday against the Red Wings in Detroit or at home Sunday night against Phoenix. - Chicago Tribune

Defenceman Adam Foote (neck, knee) skated before Wednesday's practice, and is making progress toward a return, Avs coach Tony Granato said. But Foote remains listed as out indefinitely. Peter Budaj will start in goal for Colorado tonight against Nashville. Centre Ben Guite (ribs) continues to be out indefinitely as well. - Denver Post

Joel Lundqvist (shoulder), who has been skating consistently, could play Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. The Stars are hopeful that Sergei Zubov (lower body) and right wing Jere Lehtinen (upper body) also could be back around that time. Steve Ott (hand) is due to return sometime in January. Mark Fistric is still in Dallas after having arthroscopic knee surgery on Nov. 25. Co-GM Les Jackson said Fistric will rejoin the Manitoba Moose in San Antonio to play against the Rampage on Sunday. - Dallas Morning News

Forward Brad Richardson left practice Wednesday to get his left skate sharpened, only to discover he had a large cut on his foot. He received "several" stitches, coach Terry Murray said. Defenceman Denis Gauthier, who missed Tuesday's game because of a deep bone bruise in his right foot, went through the first portion of practice. - LA Times

Marian Gaborik (lower body) doesn't appear to be skating, even on his own, and is rarely around the team. Coach Jacques Lemaire said he doesn't expect him back any time soon. - Star Tribune

Head coach Guy Carbonneau will stick with his lineup from Tuesday night against Atlanta when the Canadiens face the Rangers. Carey Price will start in goal and Sergei Kostitsyn and Guillaume Latendresse will be healthy scratches. - TSN

Goalie Pekka Rinne will make his third start in four games when Nashville plays host to Colorado. - Tennessean

Chris Neil (knee) is expected to play Saturday against Pittsburgh. Dean McAmmond (chest/throat infection) skated by himself Thursday morning and Alex Picard (wrist) is still dealing with soreness. Alex Auld will start in goal on Saturday. - TSN

Brian Rolston (high right ankle sprain) is expected to return tonight in Philadelphia. Devils coach Brent Sutter said after Wednesday's practice that he's "assuming" Rolston will play tonight. Rolston has practiced for only three days and probably skate at right wing on the fourth line with Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and Mike Rupp. Centre John Madden also will play tonight after missing the last four games with a bruised left ankle. Bobby Holik (broken right pinky) practiced for the second consecutive day and accompanied the team to Philadelphia to take part in today's morning skate, but Sutter said Holik will not play tonight. Saturday's game in Montreal appears to be a possibility. - Bergen Record

Radek Martinek, already playing with what is being termed an upper body injury, aggravated it during yesterday's practice when he skated into Andy Sutton. Martinek immediately hunched over and skated off the ice. His status for tonight's game in Washington is questionable. If he is unable to go, Thomas Pock likely will be replaced him. - New York Post

Henrik Lundqvist likely will start again on Thursday against Montreal. He is 7-2-1 with a 2.46 GAA in 11 career starts versus the Canadiens, and had won six straight decisions against them prior to a 6-5 shootout loss at the Bell Centre on Feb. 19. - Bergen Record

Mikael Tellqvist will be back in goal against Toronto after stopping 32 of 34 shots in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. He's 4-2-1 with a 2.03 goals-against average. - Arizona Republic

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who missed a seventh consecutive game (undisclosed injury) yesterday, worked on individual drills and took shots from injured defenceman Ryan Whitney after the Penguins' morning skate Wednesday. Fleury said his status is more day-to-day than week-to-week. Philippe Boucher (undisclosed injury) missed a second consecutive game Wednesday. - Tribune Review

Goalie Mike Smith did not practice Wednesday but is expected to start against Boston on Thursday. Judging from the line combinations during practice, Ryan Craig will be back in the lineup while Evgeny Artyukhin and Radim Vrbata could be the two forward scratches. Vincent Lecavalier left practice early for "body maintenance" purposes. - Tampa Tribune

Lee Stempniak moved to top line, with Alex Ponikarovsky moved down to the third. Vesa Toskala starts in goal. - TSN

[sugarmama]

Well this paid off: "with Alex Ponikarovsky moved down to the third." He's got the 1st 2 goals for his team so far.

Updated: Not enough. 6-3 loss for the Leafs including Hanzal's 1st career hattie.

[DropThePuck]

2 - Naslund, M. (PPG, 13:02 in 2nd), Dawes, N. (18:43 in 2nd)
6 - Kostitsyn, A. (09:52 in 1st), Begin, S. (10:47 in 1st), Tanguay, A. (17:37 in 1st), Lapierre, M. (03:35 in 2nd), Lang, R. (00:49 in 3rd), D'Agostini, M. (19:10 in 3rd)


New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, makes a save during first period NHL hockey action against Montreal Canadiens, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Montreal.
(AP Photot/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)


Montreal Canadiens' Alex Tanguay is elbowed by New York Rangers' defenseman Paul Mara during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)


Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Kostitsyn, (46) from Belarus, scores past New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, during first period NHL hockey action Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 in Montreal.
(AP Photot/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)


Montreal Canadiens' Robert Lang, of the Czech Republic, celebrates his goal against New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Parise, Z. (17:17 in 2nd), Elias, P. (18:30 in 3rd), Elias, P. (02:46 in OT)
2 - Timonen, K. (PPG, 06:48 in 2nd), Upshall, S. (PPG, 15:32 in 3rd)


Philadelphia Flyers goalie Martin Biron turns away a shot on-goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game with the New Jersey Devils, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)


New Jersey Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen turns away a shot on-goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)


The puck goes past the glove of Philadelphia Flyers goalie Martin Biron and into the net to tie the game with the New Jersey Devils in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Philadelphia. The Devil's Jamie Langenbrunner (15) ended up on top of Biron.
(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)


The game-winning goal gets past Philadelphia Flyers goalie Martin Biron (43), shot by New Jersey Devils' Patrik Elias (not shown) in the overtime period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

[TheSniper]

i love watching TO get destroyed even more now....final score PHX 6 TOR 3....hahahaha suck it burke

[DropThePuck]

2 - Streit, M. (PPG, 19:24 in 1st), Hunter, T. (13:38 in 2nd)
5 - Ovechkin, A. (PPG, 11:31 in 1st), Kozlov, V. (PPG, 13:15 in 1st), Brashear, D. (06:50 in 3rd), Fehr, E. (PPG, 16:14 in 3rd), Backstrom, N. (19:10 in 3rd)


Washington Capitals' Donald Brashear (87) tries to get the puck past New York Islanders' Thomas Pock (17) of Austria, and goalie Joey MacDonald (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)


New York Islanders' Andy Hilbert (11) tries to get the puck past Washington Capitals goalie Brent Johnson (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)


Washington Capitals' Donald Brashear, left, loses his balance as he celebrates his goal with teammate David Steckel, far right, as New York Islanders' Chris Campoli (14), Thomas Pock (17) of Austria, and Bill Guerin (13) look on during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)


Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr (16) celebrates his goal with Brooks Laich (21) as New York Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald (35) looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Washington. Islander' Mark Streit (2) is at bottom left.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

[DropThePuck]

5 - Sykora, P. (PPG, 10:53 in 1st), Dupuis, P. (12:30 in 1st), Sykora, P. (PPG, 01:53 in 2nd), Satan, M. (06:51 in 2nd), Fedotenko, R. (18:27 in 2nd)
2 - Ruutu, T. (02:12 in 2nd), Cullen, M. (PPG, 15:54 in 2nd)


The Carolina Hurricanes' new coach, Paul Maurice, right, leads his team as associate coach Ron Francis looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)


Pittsburgh Penguins' Petr Sykora (17), of the Czech Republic, scores on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Michael Leighton (49) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)


Carolina Hurricanes' Sergei Samsonov (14) has a shot blocked by Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)


Carolina Hurricanes' Matt Cullen (8) chases Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71), from Russia, as Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) skates between them during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Kessel, P. (12:21 in 2nd), Krejci, D. (SHG, 08:17 in 3rd), Kessel, P. (19:59 in 3rd)
1 - St. Louis, M. (01:21 in 1st)


Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith (41) stops a first-period shot by Boston Bruins' Chuck Kobasew (12) during an NHL hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Tampa Bay Lightning's Jussi Jokinen (36), of Finland, strips the puck away from Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, left, stops a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning's Jussi Jokinen (36), of Finland, as Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, moves in during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith (41) looks away as Boston Bruins players celebrate a second-period, shorthanded goal by David Krejci (46), of the Czech Republic, during an NHL hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 4, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Kotalik, A. (PPG, 11:19 in 3rd)
2 - Campbell, G. (15:42 in 2nd), Ballard, K. (16:17 in 2nd)


Buffalo Sabres' Ales Kotalik (12), of the Czech Republic, is unable to score as Florida Panthers' Jassen Cullimore (22) and goalie Craig Anderson defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)


Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30), right, blocks a shot by Florida Panthers' Rostislav Olesz (85), of Russia, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Teppo Numminen, of Finland, is seen at left.
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)


Buffalo Sabres' Andrej Sekera, right, of Slovakia, is checked by Florida Panthers' Stephen Weiss during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)


Buffalo Sabres' Maxim Afinogenov, left, of Russia, and Florida Panthers' Rostislav Olesz, of the Czech Republic, battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

[DropThePuck]

5 - Pyatt, T. (01:35 in 1st), Wellwood, K. (PPG, 01:32 in 2nd), Raymond, M. (04:13 in 2nd), Sedin, H. (08:20 in 3rd), Burrows, A. (18:35 in 3rd)
6 - Hudler, J. (05:04 in 1st), Hudler, J. (10:05 in 1st), Cleary, D. (09:34 in 2nd), Meech, D. (03:23 in 3rd), Lidstrom, N. (04:13 in 3rd), Cleary, D. (PPG, 06:08 in 3rd)


Detroit Red Wings' Jiri Hudler, bottom, scores his first goal of the first period against Vancouver Canucks goalie Curtis Sanford, top, during an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)


Detroit Red Wings Jiri Hudler (26), of the Czech Republic, scores his second goal of the first period against Vancouver Canucks goalie Curtis Sanford during an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)


Detroit Red Wings' Derek Meech (14) celebrates scoring a goal as Vancouver Canucks goalie Curtis Sanford reacts in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)


Detroit Red Wings' Derek Meech (14) scores a goal on Vancouver Canucks goalie Curtis Sanford in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

[DropThePuck]

Whoa! 5 goals scored in the 1st period and then nothing?!

2 - Smyth, R. (PPG, 09:03 in 1st), Wolski, W. (SHG, 16:22 in 1st)
3 - Fiddler, V. (05:15 in 1st), Weber, S. (PPG, 12:36 in 1st), Legwand, D. (19:59 in 1st)


Nashville Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo (22) is surrounded by Colorado Avalanche players Cody McCormick (11), Ryan Smyth (94), and Wojtek Wolski, third from right, of Poland, in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)


Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber, left, and right wing Joel Ward, right, chase down the puck with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jordan Leopold, center, in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)


Colorado Avalanche right wing Marek Svatos (40), of Slovakia, tries to take the puck past Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (6) in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)


Colorado Avalanche left wing Ryan Smyth, left, fights Nashville Predators defenseman Greg Zanon (5) for the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Ponikarovsky, A. (03:49 in 1st), Ponikarovsky, A. (14:13 in 1st), Blake, J. (14:55 in 2nd)
6 - Hanzal, M. (02:07 in 1st), Hanzal, M. (12:05 in 1st), Hanzal, M. (SHG, 00:27 in 2nd), Reinprecht, S. (05:21 in 3rd), Reinprecht, S. (14:22 in 3rd), Fedoruk, T. (16:08 in 3rd)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Alexei Ponikarovsky, right, of Ukraine, gets the puck past Phoenix Coyotes' Mikael Tellqvist (32), of Sweden, for a goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Matt Stajan, left, upends Phoenix Coyotes' Shane Doan (19) as the two battle for the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Vesa Toskala (35), of Finland, watches as Phoenix Coyotes' Martin Hanzal (11), of the Czech Republic, celebrates his second goal of the first period with teammates Ken Klee (2) and Daniel Winnik, top left, in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Alexei Ponikarovsky, right, of Ukraine, celebrates his second goal of the first period against the Phoenix Coyotes, with teammate Dominic Moore (19) in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

[Dark Knight]

Columbus putting forth a good fight against SJS and the refs...

[DropThePuck]

2 - Nash, R. (16:38 in 1st), Modin, F. (03:45 in 3rd)
3 - Marleau, P. (PPG, 14:57 in 2nd), Roenick, J. (PPG, 00:44 in 3rd), Thornton, J. (07:41 in 3rd)


Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks is introduced before the NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at HP Pavilion on December 4, 2008 in San Jose, California.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)


Douglas Murray #3 of the San Jose Sharks skates the puck past Derick Brassard #16 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL game at HP Pavilion on December 4, 2008 in San Jose, California.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)


Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the San Jose Sharks makes a leaping glove save on the puck as Dan Boyle #22 defends against Derick Brassard #16 and Kristian Huselius #20 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL game at HP Pavilion on December 4, 2008 in San Jose, California.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)


Rick Nash #61 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck under pressure from Rob Blake #4 of the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game at HP Pavilion on December 4, 2008 in San Jose, California.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

[Dark Knight]

Barring some unforeseen circumstance (injuries mostly), the SJS have run away with the Pacific. A 14 point deficit, plus a game in hand on a division marred by inconsistency, is deadly. They're currently on a 9 game winning streak (10 games with points).

If they can put together a playoff run, they'll be hard to beat