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[Dark Knight]

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

Ottawa at Buffalo
Montreal at Toronto
NYI at NYR
NJD at Washington
Philadelphia at Carolina
Columbus at Detroit
Atlanta at TBL
Chicago at Nashville
STL at Minnesota
LAK at Phoenix
Dallas at Colorado
Edmonton at Vancouver

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, out since Nov. 25 with a high ankle sprain, is skating and hopes to play as early as the Jan. 1 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, if not soon after. - Boston Globe/Herald

Patrick Kaleta missed the practice while tending to his sore neck, which was injured from a Jarkko Ruutu hit on Dec. 16. Kaleta is not expected to play tonight. Chris Butler had his first full practice since spraining his ankle Dec. 3. He had participated in morning skates and light workouts before Tuesday. Butler could be ready soon after the Christmas break. - Buffalo News

Defenceman Cam Barker (lower body) and winger Ben Eager (upper body) are still day-to-day. - Tennessean

Forward Jere Lehtinen (groin) and defencemen Trevor Daley (shoulder) and Mark Fistric (concussion) are questionable. - Dallas Morning News

Forward Valtteri Filppula, who has been out since Oct. 29 because of a broken wrist, returns today as the Wings host the Blue Jackets. - Columbus Dispatch

Cory Stillman's return will be at least one game later than what the Panthers had initially targeted. Coach Pete DeBoer said the injured winger won’t play Sunday – the team's next game – but should be ready for the New Year's Eve matchup against the Canadiens. He said he doesn’t know when David Booth will practice with full contact, but suggested a mid-January return. - Sun Sentinel

Left winger Ryan Smyth, who has been out with a rib injury since Nov. 16, is scheduled to return tonight. Forward Brandon Segal (knee) and right wing Wayne Simmonds (knee surgery) were activated on Saturday and will play this evening. Defenseman Jack Johnson (sore foot) is expected to be available, but centre Jarret Stoll (groin) and defenseman Randy Jones (headaches and neck pain) won't play. - Los Angeles Times

Although forward Petr Sykora has resumed practicing, he's still sidelined by a concussion along with teammates Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brent Burns. Sykora might be able to return to the lineup next week. - Pioneer Press

Head coach Jacques Lemaire said David Clarkson, who returned to practice Wednesday, will not be ready to play Saturday night, but if he changes his mind and decides to activate Clarkson from injured reserve, the Devils would have to send a player to the minor leagues to open a roster spot for him. Paul Martin underwent what Lou Lamoriello called "minor surgery" on his broken left arm, and will miss at least another four weeks. - Star Ledger

Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson has a separated left shoulder and is expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks. Ryan Keller was recalled from Binghamton of the AHL and will replace Alfredsson in the Sens' lineup. - TSN

Goaltender Brian Boucher (finger) may be available today, but backup Michael Leighton said he was told to be ready just in case. - News Observer

Defenceman Eric Brewer reclaimed his spot in the lineup Wednesday night, but he returned with a different defensive partner. Brewer, who missed the past 13 games with a bone bruise in his back, was paired with Erik Johnson when the Blues met the Flames. The Blues reassigned defenseman Tyson Strachan to Peoria on Wednesday. - St. Louis Post Dispatch

Centre Jeff Halpern and left winger Todd Fedoruk - both of whom suffered lower-body injuries in the opening period of Wednesday's game against the Flyers - are still day-to-day. - St. Petersburg Times

Semyon Varlamov did not participate in the morning skate Wednesday but practiced on his own. The rookie goalie, who suffered a strained groin muscle on Dec. 7, remains on target to return next week. Brian Pothier (bruised ribs) did not take the morning skate, one day after leaving practice early. Bruce Boudreau said he had cold-like symptoms. Boyd Gordon (strained back) is likely going to be assigned to the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears this weekend on a conditioning stint, Boudreau said. - Washington Post

[DropThePuck]

3 - Shannon, R. (05:15 in 2nd), Neil, C. (06:05 in 2nd), Kovalev, A. (00:00 in SO)
2 - Vanek, T. (17:15 in 2nd), Pominville, J. (PPG, 19:18 in 2nd)


Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. left, watches the puck as Ottawa Senators right winger Jonathan Cheechoo tries to screen the shot during the first period of the NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Gomez, S. (PPG, 03:34 in 1st), Plekanec, T. (04:28 in 1st), Kostitsyn, A. (00:34 in OT)
2 - White, I. (15:07 in 2nd), Blake, J. (02:41 in 3rd)


Hal Gill #75 of the Montreal Canadiens defends against Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Andrei Kostitsyn #46 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot as Francois Beauchemin #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs defends during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Alexei Ponikarovsky #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs carries the puck as teammate Wayne Primeau #18 and Josh Gorges #26 of the Montreal Canadiens look on during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Mike Komisarek #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a shot against the Montreal Canadiens during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Jonas Gustavsson #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs keeps an eye on the puck as does teammate Jeff Finger #4 while Tomas Plekanec #14 of the Montreal Canadiens circles around the net with teammates Mike Cammalleri #13 and Andrei Kostitsyn #46 during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Francois Beauchemin #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Mike Cammalleri #13 of the Montreal Canadiens during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Mikhail Grabovski #84 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for position with Andrei Markov #79 of the Montreal Canadiens as Jaroslav Halak #41 of the Montreal Canadiens keeps an eye on the play during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 26, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Montreal Canadiens left winger Travis Moen knocks Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Jamal Mayers off the puck the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Nielsen, F. (07:45 in 1st), Comeau, B. (SHG, 14:21 in 2nd), Okposo, K. (04:13 in OT)
2 - Dubinsky, B. (06:07 in 3rd), Dubinsky, B. (19:13 in 3rd)


New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen, upper right, celebrates with teammate Josh Bailey, upper left, after scoring a goal on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, foreground, of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in New York.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Pelley, R. (17:18 in 1st)
4 - Ovechkin, A. (04:09 in 1st), Bradley, M. (13:54 in 1st), Backstrom, N. (09:52 in 2nd), Green, M. (00:39 in 3rd)


New Jersey Devils right wing Vladimir Zharkov, right, of Russia, gets caught up in the stick of Washington Capitals defenseman Milan Jurcina (23), of Slovakia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Richards, M. (09:47 in 1st), Carter, J. (13:55 in 1st), Briere, D. (PPG, 09:00 in 3rd), Briere, D. (00:00 in SO)
3 - Jokinen, J. (09:24 in 3rd), Sutter, B. (PPG, 15:58 in 3rd), Jokinen, J. (16:47 in 3rd)


Philadelphia Flyers' Mike Richards (18) looks back at the puck in the net after beating Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) during a shootout in an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Vermette, A. (12:10 in 1st)
2 - Bertuzzi, T. (PPG, 06:38 in 2nd), Bertuzzi, T. (02:44 in 3rd)


Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Mathieu Garon sits on the ice after being scored on by Detroit Red Wings' Todd Bertuzzi in the second period of their NHL hockey game at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/Detroit News, David Guralnick)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Antropov, N. (11:48 in 1st), Reasoner, M. (16:54 in 2nd), Kovalchuk, I. (16:50 in 3rd)
4 - Downie, S. (13:34 in 1st), Lundin, M. (04:44 in 2nd), Tanguay, A. (05:04 in 3rd), Malone, R. (06:45 in 3rd)


Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith kicks the puck away from the net as he stops a shot from the Atlanta Thrashers during the second period of their NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Byfuglien, D. (PPG, 09:44 in 1st), Kane, P. (12:26 in 2nd), Ladd, A. (13:36 in 2nd), Sharp, P. (18:47 in 2nd)
1 - Erat, M. (07:38 in 2nd)


Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) scores a goal against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending for the Predators is Kevin Klein (8).
(AP Photo/Kate Humphrey)

[DropThePuck]

3 McDonald, A. (12:52 in 2nd), Perron, D. (13:04 in 3rd), Berglund, P. (18:20 in 3rd)
4 - Latendresse, G. (14:55 in 1st), Hnidy, S. (02:29 in 3rd), Johnsson, K. (08:59 in 3rd), Latendresse, G. (16:19 in 3rd)


St. Louis Blues center Andy McDonald, right, controls the puck as Minnesota Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson, (5), of Sweden, skates up in the first period of their NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/Andy King)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Brown, D. (05:49 in 1st), Handzus, M. (PPG, 03:58 in 3rd)
3 - Aucoin, A. (08:45 in 1st), Hanzal, M. (13:56 in 1st), Yandle, K. (09:20 in 3rd)


Phoenix Coyotes left winger Shane Doan (19) watches a video tribute to him along with his family and teammates prior to playing his 1,000th NHL hockey game before his team takes on the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Paul Connors)


Los Angeles Kings right winger Justin Williams is wheeled off the ice by medical personnel after injuring his right leg against the Phoenix Coyotes in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Paul Connors)


Phoenix Coyotes left winger Paul Bissonnette, top, throws Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene to the ice as they battle in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Paul Connors)


Los Angeles Kings left winger Alexander Frolov (24), of Russia, is cross-checked by Phoenix Coyotes center Robert Lang, back left, of the Czech Republic, as Coyotes goalie ilya Bryzgalov, back right, of Russia, and Daniel Winnik (34) look on in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP Photo/Paul Connors)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Ott, S. (07:44 in 3rd)
4 - Durno, C. (06:04 in 1st), Hejduk, M. (14:04 in 2nd), Stewart, C. (13:34 in 3rd), Stewart, C. (EN, 19:02 in 3rd)


Dallas Stars defenseman Maxime Fortunus, left, and Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny, center, look on as Stars goalie Alex Auld makes a glove-save of a redirected shot off the stick of Stastny in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Potulny, R. (08:38 in 2nd)
4 - Sedin, D. (PPG, 06:51 in 2nd), Kesler, R. (PPG, 07:09 in 2nd), Ehrhoff, C. (03:23 in 3rd), Sedin, H. (EN, 19:24 in 3rd)


Vancouver Canucks' Shane O'Brien (55) and Roberto Luongo celebrate their 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)