TSN's Ice Chips:
QUOTE
Updates for Thursday, March 15
Across Canada:
The Latest on the Maple Leafs
Tomas Kaberle skated for about 25 minutes on his own prior to practice. He did not take part in Thursday's full scrimmage but will travel with the team this weekend. Kaberle said he experienced no change in his condition from Wednesday's session on the ice. Head coach Paul Maurice said that depending on how Kaberle feels, he may take part in the morning skate in Washington on Friday.
Kyle Wellwood and Carlo Colaiacovo sat out practice to take maintenance days. Maurice said Wellwood's issue is not related to his hernia surgery and neither player was injured in Tuesday's win over the Lightning.
Andrew Raycroft will start against the Capitals. - TSN
Forwards
Ponikarovsky - Sundin - Antropov
Kilger - Green/Pohl - Tucker
Steen - Perreault - O'Neill
Battaglia - Stajan - Devereaux
Defence
McCabe - Kubina
Gill - White
Wozniewski - Belak
Injuries: Newbury (concussion)
The Latest on the Canucks
It was an optional skate for the Canucks and only a few regulars, plus Roberto Luongo participated. Tommy Santala will play so Nathan Smith was sent back to Manitoba. Willie Mitchell will miss his 2nd straight game with a groin injury but hopes to play Saturday against Detroit.
Jeff Cowan has been moved to the Canucks 2nd PP unit to play with Naslund and Morrision. Cowan is taking Taylor Pyatt's place on that unit. Head coach Alain Vigneault was critical of Pyatt's play on Wednesday.
This will be Bryan Smolinski's 10th game of the season against the Blues. - TSN
The Canucks will use Cowan on the top line with the Sedins and Pyatt will be moved to the fourth line. Trevor Linden will also be moved up and play on the second line with Brendan Morrison and Matt Cooke. Roberto Luongo will get the call in net against the Blues. - TEAM 1040 Vancouver
Forwards
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Cowan
Linden - Morrison - Cooke
Bulis - Smolinski - Naslund
Pyatt - Santala - Burrows
Defence
Ohlund - Bieksa
Krajicek - Salo
Fitzpatrick - Sopel
NOTE: Pairings will rotate, Ohlund will see time with Sopel.
Starting Goaltender
Luongo
The Latest on the Senators
Bryan Murray will ice the same lineup tonight against the Islanders that he went with on Tuesday against the Rangers. The Senators have won 28 of their last 40 games against the Islanders (28W-4L-8T). - TSN
Forwards
Heatley - Spezza - Eaves
Schaefer - Fisher - Alfredsson
Vermette - Kelly - Comrie
Schubert - McAmmond - Neil/
Scratches: McGrattan, Saprykin
Defence
Redden - Meszaros
Volchenkov - Phillips
Corvo - Priessing
Scratch: Nycholat
Goaltender
Emery
Around The League:
The Latest from Anaheim
Todd Marchant, who has missed the past 12 games because of an abdominal strain, skated on his own Tuesday and Wednesday, but there is no timetable for his return to practice, let alone the lineup. - Orange County Register
Chris Pronger said his recovery from a broken left toe is on schedule. Pronger said the swelling has subsided and hinted that he hopes to return for the Ducks' four-game trip at the end of the month. - Los Angeles Times
The Latest from Boston
Shean Donovan (knee sprain), who missed the game against Detroit and did not skate Wednesday, expects to return soon. - Boston Globe
The Latest from Colorado
Head coast Joel Quenneville said winger Marek Svatos (groin) will return Saturday night at Phoenix. Karlis Skrastins (sprained knee) is day-to-day. - Denver Post
The Latest from Dallas
The Stars have called up Junior Lessard from the minors, and he should be in the lineup Thursday. Brenden Morrow (wrist) skated with full contact Wednesday but is not yet ready to play. Jeff Halpern (lower body) and Mattias Norstrom (knee) are close to returning but are officially listed as questionable. - Dallas Morning News
The Latest from Detroit
Todd Bertuzzi could be back on the ice when the Wings begin their next homestand (March 22 - 26). "He'll definitely play somewhere during that home stand," general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday. - Detroit Free Press
The Wings lost rookie Valtteri Filppula to an injured foot-on a blocked shot-in the second period Wednesday. Head coach Mike Babcock, already missing four regulars up front, said Filppula's injury isn't serious. - Detroit News
The Latest from Los Angeles
Rookie Anze Kopitar (back injury) was examined by the team's doctor Monday, but he was not cleared to resume skating. He will be examined again Thursday. Derek Armstrong is unlikely to play in the next three games because of an injured left knee. - LA Times
The Latest from Minnesota
Wes Walz, who has missed four games because of a strained back, practiced Wednesday and will test it again at the Thursday morning skate to see if he can play against Edmonton. - Star Tribune
The Latest from New York Islanders
Alexei Yashin will centre Ryan Smyth and Jason Blake tonight. The Islanders have only won four of their last 40 against the Sens (4W-28L-8T). - TSN
Bruno Gervais (sprained ankle) has had three good practices and will be evaluated after the morning skate for a possible return. - New York Newsday
The Latest from New York Rangers
Brendan Shanahan, sidelined with the effects of a concussion suffered Feb. 17, is expected to skate in his first full-contact practice Thursday, and if his endurance continues to improve, could play next week, he said Wednesday. - New York Newsday
The Latest from Philadelphia
Simon Gagne was expected to skate Wednesday morning with the Phantoms, but after a brief session Tuesday that lasted close to 15 minutes, the 6-year veteran said he didn't feel comfortable enough to get back on the ice. - Philadelphia Daily News
The Latest from Phoenix
Mikael Tellqvist will make his third straight start on Thursday versus the Sharks. Brendan Bell is not going to play Thursday because of a minor knee injury suffered Monday against the Flyers. Bell is not expected to miss many more games because of the injury, if any. - Arizona Republic
The Latest from Pittsburgh
Georges Laraque missed his second consecutive game on Wednesday night while continuing to recover from "pretty severe" back spasms that sidelined him Tuesday night against Buffalo. Laraque was one of a handful of Penguins (five skaters, two goalies) who took part in Wednesday's morning skate. "I'll probably be ready for Friday," when the Penguins host Montreal, Laraque said.
Mark Eaton also skated yesterday morning but isn't expecting to play on Friday or Sunday, when the Penguins host Ottawa. - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
The Latest from San Jose
The Sharks play Thursday in Phoenix and Friday at home against Columbus, coach Ron Wilson plans to split the goaltending assignments, although he hasn't decided in what order. Vesa Toskala hasn't played since Feb.14 because of a groin injury. In the meantime, Evgeni Nabokov has made 12 consecutive starts, going 6-4-2 with four shutouts. - Oakland Tribune
The Latest from St. Louis
Curtis Sanford will get the start in goal against the Canucks. - TEAM 1040 Vancouver
The Latest from Washington
Olaf Kolzig will suit up for the first time in a month when the Capitals play the Bruins Thursday. - Washington Post