11 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

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

NYR at NJD
Ottawa at Washington
Toronto at Buffalo
Boston at Atlanta
Detroit at Dallas
Chicago at Colorado
Florida at Calgary

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

The Thrashers top line is banged up as Todd White did not practice Thursday due to a stiff next after being his Wednesday in a game against the Rangers. Bryan Little was also shaken up at practice after taking a puck off his right ear, causing ringing. White will likely miss Friday's game against the Bruins while Little is expected to play. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Bruins forward Marco Sturm is skating once again however he is still experiencing dizziness due to the after effects of a concussion. He will likely miss his 11th straight game tonight against the Thrashers. - Boston Herald

Craig Conroy was centering the top line at Flames practice Friday with Jarome Iginla dna Mike Cammalleri. - TSN

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quennville stated that Nikolai Khabibulin remains his number one goaltender despite the play of Cristobal Huet during Khabibulin's absence due to injury. He did say that both goalies will get playing time as the Hawks have a stretch of five games in nine days. - Chicago Tribune

The Colorado Avalanche blue line is expected to get a boost tonight as Adam Foote is set to return to the linuep against the Blackhawks. Foote has been out since November 22nd after suffering a back injury. Forward Marek Svatos will miss the game with a stiff neck. - Denver Post

Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk didn’t practice Thursday, but both are expected to be in the lineup for Friday’s game at Dallas. Hossa has a sore groin, and Datsyuk a sore left ankle after getting hit by a puck in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime victory over Calgary. - Detroit News

Forward Robert Nilsson is likely ready to go Saturday against the Canucks, therefore the Oilers have assigned Gilbert Brule to Springfield of the American Hockey League. Brule was an emergency recall, so he had to be sent back down. Brule also has to serve a 4-game suspension in the AHLl when he gets back. - TSN

Panthers' forward Nathan Horton remains sidelined after an MRI revealed a small fracture around his heel. Horton has missed the past six games for the Panthers and remains day-to-day. - Miami Herald

Although he remains sidelined, Marian Gaborik underwent his hardest skate Thursday as he attempts to return to the Wild lineup. - Star Tribune

The Canadiens are awaiting word on the condition of captain Saku Koivu who left Thursday's game against the Lightning with a leg injury. He is scheduled for an MRI today but the team may not know the results until tonight or even tomorrow. Ben Maxwell has been called up from Hamilton of the AHL to take Koivu's spot for Saturday's game against the Capitals. Sergei Kostitsyn will slide in on right wing where injured defenceman Mike Komisarek skated today. Goaltender Carey Price continues to suffer with an illness and went to see a doctor today. Marc Denis has been called up from Hamilton.
Forward Chris Higgins will be out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury suffered during Tuesday's win over Calgary.
Defenceman Mathieu Dandenault suffered three fractured bones just above his left wrist during the win over the Flames. Doctors have put a steel plate in his arm and he is expected to miss at least six-to-eight weeks. - TSN

Forward Steve Sullivan is closing in on a date for a comeback. The Predators coaching staff will meet next week to determine the next steps for Sullivan as he has yet to suffer a setback since returning to skating. - Tennessean

The Devils have placed Peter Vrana on waivers - TSN

Forward Jon Sim was placed on waivers. The team will know by noon today whether he will be claimed. Sim is in the second year of a three-year deal worth $3 million. - Newsday

Goalie Antero Niittymaki will start tonight. He has beaten the Hurricanes twice this season. In his last five games, Niittymaki is 4-1 with a 1.60 GAA and a .944 save percentage. Defenceman Matt Carle will miss his fifth straight game because of what general manager Paul Holmgren called an injury to the intercostal muscles between the ribs. Carle said the pain runs from his back to his ribs. Carle, who is taking anti-inflammatory medication, skated yesterday at practice. He said there was no improvement in his condition. - Philadelphia Inquirer

Forward Jonathan Cheechoo participated in all three practices in the four-day gap between games, but may not be back in the lineup tonight, as he is suffering from an upper-body injury. He aggravated the injury Nov. 28 in Dallas and has missed the past four contests. Defenceman Brad Lukowich skated for a second day after missing last game with a groin injury, but it was uncertain whether Lukowich would play against the Ducks. Forwards Ryane Clowe and Devin Setoguchi each missed at least one of the past three practices for "maintenance" reasons, but both should be in action tonight, according to coach Todd McLellan. - Contra Costa Times

The Lightning have reassigned Steve Downie to Norfolk of the AHL and placed Mike Lundin on waivers - TSN

Defenceman Mike Green hopes to make a return to the Capitals lineup tonight after he woke up and did not experience pain or stiffness for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury 12 games ago. He also took slap shots at Caps practice Thursday without any discomfort. - Washington Post

[DropThePuck]

A veritable fest.
does it the hard way, all at even strength. has a PPG and 2 SHGs that make the difference.

5 - Naslund, M. (15:54 in 1st), Zherdev, N. (15:46 in 2nd), Gomez, S. (18:22 in 2nd), Mara, P. (01:28 in 3rd), Callahan, R. (11:18 in 3rd)
8 - Pandolfo, J. (SHG, 04:04 in 1st), Zajac, T. (PPG, 16:59 in 1st), Zajac, T. (01:00 in 2nd), Oduya, J. (SHG, 07:31 in 2nd), Zubrus, D. (11:33 in 2nd), Elias, P. (11:29 in 3rd), Gionta, B. (13:04 in 3rd), Langenbrunner, J. (15:07 in 3rd)


New Jersey Devils' Jay Pandolfo (20) celebrates his shorthanded goal past New York Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) of Sweden, during the first period during an NHL hockey game at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)


New York Rangers' Markus Naslund (91) of Sweden, and New Jersey Devils' goalie Scott Clemmensen (35) look back as the puck shot by the Rangers' Scott Gomez (not pictured) goes in for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)


New Jersey Devils' David Clarkson (23) lands a punch on the New York Rangers' Aaron Voros during a fight in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Newark, N.J. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)


New Jersey Devils' Brian Gionta (14) attempts to score after New York Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist, center, of Sweden, is knocked over by teammate Dmitri Kalinin, of Russia, in the second period during an NHL hockey game in Newark, N.J. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Winchester, J. (17:37 in 3rd)
5 - Semin, A. (03:55 in 1st), Laich, B. (04:48 in 2nd), Ovechkin, A. (PPG, 19:25 in 2nd), Green, M. (PPG, 13:44 in 3rd), Ovechkin, A. (PPG, 14:05 in 3rd)


Washington Capitals goalie Brent Johnson, right, makes a save against Ottawa Senators' Antoine Vermette (20) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)


Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich (21) shoots and scores a goal as Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips (4) and Ottawa Senators' Dany Heatley (15), of Germany, defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)


Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, moves the puck as Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips (4) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)


Ottawa Senators' Anton Volchenkov (24), of Russia, reaches for the puck as Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8), also of Russia, defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

[DropThePuck]

7 - Stuart, M. (03:31 in 1st), Yelle, S. (04:08 in 1st), Chara, Z. (08:41 in 1st), Ryder, M. (PPG, 11:56 in 1st), Kessel, P. (PPG, 01:15 in 3rd), Lucic, M. (07:19 in 3rd), Stuart, M. (09:57 in 3rd)
3 - White, T. (PPG, 16:16 in 1st), Kovalchuk, I. (03:14 in 3rd), Kozlov, V. (PPG, 13:00 in 3rd)


Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, and Atlanta Thrashers forward Chris Thorburn (27) throw down on the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday Dec. 12, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Amis)


Boston Bruins left wing Shawn Thornton, left, fights with Atlanta Thrashers forward Eric Boulton (36) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday Dec. 12, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Amis)


Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Boris Valabik, of Slovakia, brings a fist down on Boston Bruins left wing Shawn Thornton (22) during a fight in the the third period of an NHL hockey game, Friday Dec. 12, 2008 in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Amis)


Boston Bruins center Phil Kessel (81) celebrates the goal of Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) as Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Boris Valabik (48), of Slovakia, gets up during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Friday Dec. 12, 2008 in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Amis)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Lebda, B. (06:05 in 1st)
3 - Wandell, T. (05:47 in 2nd), Brunnstrom, F. (07:27 in 2nd), Ribeiro, M. (19:00 in 3rd)


Left wing Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings falls on the ice with Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at the American Airlines Center on December 12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)


Center Tomas Kopecky #82 of the Detroit Red Wings wins the face off with Mike Modano #9 of the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on December 12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)


Goaltender Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars makes a save against Valterri Filppula #51 of the Detroit Red Wings in the third period at the American Airlines Center on December 12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)


Right wing Mikael Samuelsson #37 of the Detroit Red Wings skates the puck against Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at the American Airlines Center on December 12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Adams, C. (02:31 in 1st), Byfuglien, D. (07:30 in 2nd), Ladd, A. (09:59 in 3rd), Byfuglien, D. (13:51 in 3rd)
3 - Stewart, C. (10:50 in 1st), Laperriere, I. (14:06 in 1st), Wolski, W. (03:43 in 3rd)


Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj, left, of Slovakia, looks on as Chicago Blackhawks right winger Kris Versteeg, right, tumbles into the net after a check in front of the crease in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)


Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj (31), of Slovakia, makes a stick-save of a shot by Chicago Blackhawks left winger Andrew Ladd, left, as Avalanche defenseman Brett Clark, center, comes in to cover in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)


Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, front, gets tangled up with Colorado Avalanche left winger Cody McLeod moving the puck toward the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)


Chicago Blackhawks left winger Andrew Ladd, left, celebrates after scoring a goal to tie the score against Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj, of Slovakia, in the third period of the Blackhawks' 4-3 victory in an NHL hockey game in downtown Denver on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Kreps, K. (SHG, 18:03 in 1st), Bouwmeester, J. (01:45 in 2nd), Weiss, S. (00:00 in SO), Weiss, S. (00:00 in SO)
2 - Bourque, R. (16:07 in 1st), Bourque, R. (03:12 in 2nd)


Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, of Finland, reacts after letting in a goal from Florida Panthers' Kamil Kreps, of the Czech Republic, (not shown) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)


Florida Panthers' Shawn Matthias, right, tries to squeeze past Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)


Florida Panthers' Kamil Kreps, right, of the Czech Republic, celebrates his short handed goal with teammate defenseman Jay Bouwmeester during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)


Florida Panthers' Gregory Camplbell, right, dives for the puck as Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, of Finland, swats it away during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Williams, J. (17:39 in 2nd), White, I. (12:04 in 3rd)
1 - Lydman, T. (06:02 in 1st)


Buffalo Sabres right winger Maxim Afinogenov, of Russia, left, fails to stick-check the puck by Toronto Maple Leafs center John Mitchell during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala, of Finland, right, makes a save on Buffalo Sabres right winger Ales Kotalik, of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


Buffalo Sabres left winger Clarke MacArthur, left, is checked by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jeff Finger in front of the Maple Leafs net during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn congratulates teammate defenseman Ian White (7) on his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)

[DropThePuck]

Buffalo Sabres left winger Thomas Vanek, of Austria, is checked into Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala, of Finland, during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ian White, right, is congratulated by teammate defenseman Mike Van Ryn after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


Alexei Ponikarovsky #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres fight for puck control after the opening faceoff on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Mikhail Grabovski #84 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates ahead of Nathan Paetsch #38 of the Buffalo Sabres on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Thomas Vanek #26 of the Buffalo Sabres stands in front of Vesa Tokala #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Jaroslav Spacek #6 of the Buffalo Sabres is checked by Nik Antropov #80 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save on a shot by Dominic Moore #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Nathan Gerbe #42 of the Buffalo Sabres and Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs try to get to the puck on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. Kaberle was called for holding on the play.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Vesa Toskala #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs deflects the puck on a shot by Jochen Hecht #55 of the Buffalo Sabres on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Vesa Toskala #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a save against the Buffalo Sabres on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Paul Gaustad #28 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a pass behind him with pressure from Jeff Finger #4 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Daniel Paille #20 of the Buffalo Sabres goes for the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 12, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)