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[Dark Knight]

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

Washington at Buffalo
Atlanta at Toronto
Boston at Pittsburgh
Montreal at TBL
Chicago at Detroit
NJD at STL
Philadelphia at Vancouver
Ottawa at Edmonton

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

After two ineffective games, Milan Lucic was dropped to the third line in Monday's practice, with P.J. Axelsson getting bumped up to the top line. Meanwhile, Axelsson was bumped off the powerplay unit in favour of Martin St. Pierre. - Boston Globe

Curtis Glencross skated for the entire practice and stayed on late. He did not skate at all yesterday because of the flu. He says he feels better today but he's still not 100 percent. Nothing is for certain tomorrow's game against Edmonton. - TSN

Defenceman Frantisek Kaberle cleared waivers today. - TSN

Nikolai Khabibulin will start tonight against Detroit in the first of back-to-back games against the Red Wings. The Winter Classic in Chicago is the second game. Defenceman Brent Sopel has been placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, and Adam burish has been called up from the AHL. - Chicago Sun Times/TSN

Nick Lidstrom had another MRI on his injured ankle Monday and results were negative (they showed no fractures). He did not practice Monday but will try skating today. His condidtion is still considered day-to-day, but a return to action tonight would appear to be questionable. Goaltender Chris Osgood (groin) has returned to practice but is unlikely to play tonight. - Detroit Free Press

Ales Hemsky will not play tonight, and likely won't play tomorrow night against Calgary, after getting hit by Nashville's Jordan Tootoo. Hemsky hurt his nose, hasn't slept well, and is having breathing trouble. - TSN

Jassen Cullimore (hand) returned to the lineup Monday. Rostislav Olesz (groin) skated for the first time since sustaining the injury December 4, and he hopes to play in about a week. - Miami Herald

When goaltender Erik Ersberg (groin) returns to the lineup, probably later this week, don't assume that Jonathan Quick will be sent back to the AHL. The Kings have been impressed with Quick and there is a good chance he could stay with the Kings. - LA Daily news

General Manager Bob Gainey announced that forwards Kyle Chipchura and Max Pacioretty have been recalled to the Canadiens from the AHL. - Media Release

Colin White (upper body injury) will not play tonight against the Blues, but Bryce Salvador is expected to return to the Devils lineup. - Star Ledger

Doug Weight (groin) was back in the lineup Monday after missing three games. Rick DiPietro (groin) missed a second straight game, but is considereed day-to-day. - New York Times

Daniel Briere (groin) skated again Monday and is eligible to come of the long-term injury list Friday, but was not optimistic that he would be ready. Scott Hartnell (toe) did not skate Monday but is expected to play tonight. - Philadephia Inquirer

Defenceman Hal Gill (shoulder) will play tonight against Boston after missing 10 games. - Post Gazette

Defenceman Christian Ehrhoff (healthy scratch) and forward David Setoguchi (personal) both missed Monday's game, but will be in the lineup Wednesday against Minnesota. - Contra Costa Times

Veteran winger Claude Lemieux cleared waivers today. - TSN

T.J. Oshie (ankle) is expected back in the lineup after missing a total of 24 games. He skated on a line with Keith Tkachuk and David Backes in practice Monday. - Post Dispatch

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski signed a standard three-year entry level contract on Tuesday. Currently, Tokarski is a member of Canada's entry at the World Junior Hockey Championship. - Media Release

Head coach Ron Wilson plans to start goaltender Curtis Joseph in tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers as well as the New Year's Day contest against the Buffalo Sabres. - TSN

Mats Sundin skated with the Canucks in practice today and did an extra 30 minutes of skating afterwards, but he won't play tonight. He will not make the road trip with Vancouver tomorrow. He will practice with the team again on January 4 prior to the Dallas game, but will not play that night, either. Roberto Luongo (groin) skated in full gear for about 10 minutes today prior to the team's practice. He did not take any shots, but stretched and worked on his movements in the crease. - TSN

Jose Theodore starts in goal against Buffalo tonight. Tomas Fleischmann (pneumonia), Alexander Semin (back), Sergei Fedorov (ankle), Tom Poti (groin) and John Erskine (concussion) are out. Karl Alzner (hand) will be a game-time decision. - Washington Post

[DropThePuck]

4 - Laich, B. (PPG, 01:57 in 1st), Bourque, C. (09:02 in 1st), Backstrom, N. (PPG, 12:11 in 2nd), Gordon, B. (SHG, 19:17 in 3rd)
2 - Mair, A. (07:41 in 3rd), MacArthur, C. (PPG, 19:49 in 3rd)


Derek Roy #9 of the Buffalo Sabres wins a faceoff against David Steckel #39 of the Washington Capitals on December 30, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Alexandre Giroux #33 of the Washington Capitals gets a shot off on Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres on December 30, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals controls the puck as he is checked by Jochen Hecht #55 of the Buffalo Sabres on December 30, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)


David Steckel #39 of the Washington Capitals takes a shot against the Buffalo Sabres on December 30, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

5 - Chara, Z. (PPG, 04:46 in 2nd), Savard, M. (PPG, 09:30 in 2nd), Kessel, P. (16:43 in 2nd), St. Pierre, M. (SHG, 05:28 in 3rd), Wideman, D. (09:38 in 3rd)
2 - Sykora, P. (17:00 in 1st), Dupuis, P. (15:13 in 2nd)


Pittsburgh Penguins coach Michel Therrien reacts to the final goal scored by the Boston Bruins in an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. At left on bench is Pascal Dupuis, and at right is Petr Sykora, of the Czech Republic.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins' Tim Wallace, right, fights with Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Forward Marc Savard #91 of the Boston Bruins checks defenseman Brooks Orpik #44 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period on December 30, 2008 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)


Goaltender Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins keeps his eyes on the puck looking through the legs of forward Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins as defenseman Shane Hnidy #34 of the Bruins defends on December 30, 2008 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Latendresse, G. (00:46 in 3rd), Lapierre, M. (00:00 in SO)
1 - Prospal, V. (PPG, 13:18 in 1st)


Montreal Canadiens' Francis Bouillon (51) sends Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos flying on a second-period check during an NHL hockey game Tuesday night, Dec. 30, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec (14), of the Czech Repubic, is upended by Tampa Bay Lighting's Matt Smaby during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday night, Dec. 30, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Montreal Canadiens' Guillaume Latendresse, left, slides the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning's Andrej Meszaros (14), of Slovakia, and goalie Mike Smith (41), tying the score during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday night, Dec. 30, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)


Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price stops a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning's Vincent Lecavalier (4) during the shootout in an NHL hockey game Tuesday night, Dec. 30, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

[DropThePuck]

0
4 - Datsyuk, P. (PPG, 15:51 in 1st), Franzen, J. (PPG, 06:58 in 2nd), Franzen, J. (00:37 in 3rd), Kopecky, T. (12:05 in 3rd)


Detroit Red Wings' Johan Franzen of Sweden, center, and teammate Valtteri Filppula, right, of Finland, try to keep the puck in their offensive end while being challenged by Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith (2) during the second period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)


Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk (13) of Russia makes a move toward the goal against Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)


Detroit Red Wings' goalie Ty Conklin, left, and teammate Brad Stuart successfully defend against this offensive rush by Chicago Blackhawks' Ben Eager during the first period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)


Detroit Red Wings' goalie Ty Conklin, left, deflects a shot while being pressured by Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews (19) during the first period of their NHL hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Parise, Z. (01:02 in 1st), Rolston, B. (02:37 in 2nd), Parise, Z. (14:19 in 3rd), Pandolfo, J. (16:33 in 3rd)
3 - Boyes, B. (04:19 in 1st), Backes, D. (07:41 in 1st), Steen, A. (19:30 in 3rd)


New Jersey Devils' Zach Parise, second from left, watches his pass go under the legs of teammate Travis Zajac (19) as St. Louis Blues goaltender Manny Legace, left, and Blues' Roman Polak watcj during the first period an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)


New Jersey Devils' Jamie Langenbrunner, left, controls the puck as teammate Zach Parise (9) screens St. Louis Blues' Roman Polak next to goalie Manny Legace during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)


New Jersey Devils' Mike Mottau, left, gets knocked down by St. Louis Blues' Patrik Berglund (21) near Devils' Dainius Zubrus (8) and goalie Scott Clemmensen during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)


New Jersey Devils' Travis Zajac, right, fights for the puck with St. Louis Blues' Barret Jackman during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Carter, J. (03:16 in 1st), Hartnell, S. (17:39 in 1st), Kalinski, J. (02:36 in 2nd)
2 - Sedin, D. (PPG, 16:54 in 1st), Kesler, R. (11:56 in 2nd)


Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Martin Biron reaches for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)


Vancouver Canucks' goalie Curtis Sanford sits on the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)


Vancouver Canucks' Cory Schneider, right, and Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux follow the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)


Philadelphia Flyers' Andrew Alberts, left, checks Vancouver Canucks' Henrik Sedin, of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Spezza, J. (09:56 in 1st), Alfredsson, D. (04:07 in 2nd), Lee, B. (PPG, 11:32 in 3rd)
2 - Moreau, E. (13:57 in 1st), Reddox, L. (13:22 in 2nd)


Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza, left, scores on Edmonton Oilers' Mathieu Garon during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in Edmonton, Alberta.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)


Edmonton Oilers' Erik Cole, right, collides with Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Edmonton's Rexall Place on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)


Edmonton Oilers' Tom Gilbert, right, takes a hit from Ottawa Senators' Shean Donovan during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in Edmonton, Alberta.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)


Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson, right, hooks Edmonton Oilers' Lubomir Visnovsky, and is called for a penalty during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, in Edmonton, Alberta.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Ulan)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Little, B. (PPG, 04:51 in 1st), Slater, J. (06:49 in 1st), Armstrong, C. (PPG, 13:17 in 3rd)
4 - Kulemin, N. (08:29 in 1st), Stempniak, L. (04:16 in 2nd), Blake, J. (18:34 in 2nd), Kubina, P. (PPG, 00:33 in OT)


Curtis Joseph #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is congratulated on his 450th career victory by teammate Jamal Mayers #21 after defeating the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Chris Thorburn #27 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates after Jeff Finger #4 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Tobias Enstrom #39 of the Atlanta Thrashers carries the puck as he is defended by Niklas Hagman #9 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Jason Blake #55 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates after Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Jason Blake #55 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on the puck as Johan Hedberg #1 of the Atlanta Thrashers makes a save during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Jamal Mayers #21 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Colby Armstrong #20 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Nikolai Kulemin #41 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Niclas Havelid #28 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Atlanta Thrashers fires a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Lee Stempniak #12 of the Atlanta Thrashers puts the puck past Todd White #12 of the Atlanta Thrashers but not by Johan Hedberg #1 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Curtis Joseph #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs slides into position as Bryan Little #10 of the Atlanta Thrashers makes a move during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Curtis Joseph #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is beat on this play by Jim Slater #23 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs carries the puck as he is defended by Colby Armstrong #20 of the Atlanta Thrashers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Atlanta Thrashers defenceman Nathan Oystrick, right, is knocked into the boards by Toronto Maple Leafs center Dominic Moore (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)


Atlanta Thrashers center Jim Slater (23) looks back to see the puck trickle past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)


Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Johan Hedberg watches as Toronto Maple Leafs centre Dominic Moore, left, celebrates teammate Pavel Kubina's game-winning goal in overtime in an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)


Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Pavel Kubina (right) celebrates with goaltender Curtis Joseph after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of an NHL hockey game against the Atlanta Thrashers in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)