Please post your thoughts, pictures and comments on tonight's games in this thread.
Toronto at Boston
STL at Washington
Florida at Carolina
Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Philadelphia at Montreal
Colorado at TBL
SJS at Detroit
Columbus at Dallas
Nashville at Phoenix
Full Version: NHL Game Night Thread
QUOTE
TSN Ice Chips
Marco Sturm expects to return to the Boston lineup tonight. - Boston Herald
Goaltender Andrew Raycroft will get his second start in three games tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is 8-1-1 against the Bolts in his career. Forwards Darcy Tucker and Ben Guite are expected back in the lineup tonight. - Denver Post
Jason Chimera and Andrew Murray were injured Wednesday night. Chimera will undergo an MRI today on his groin. Murray suffered an "upper-body" injury, but it does not appear as serious as Chimera's injury. - Columbus Dispatch
Stephane Robidas (broken jaw) went through a full practice Wednesday and is expected to play tonight. Steve Ott (hand) has been ruled out. - Dallas Morning News, Star-Telegram
Goaltender Chris Osgood (groin) did not practice Wednesday. Ty Conklin has already ready been pegged as Thursday's starting goalie. - Detroit News
Dwayne Roloson took a puck off the collar bone on Wednesday night and seemed to be in significant pain, but he stayed in the game. - TSN
Stephen Weiss (neck/back) will be a game-time decision tonight. - Miami Herald
With forward Marian Gaborik returning to action, Brent Burns has been moved back to defence. Rookie Colton Gillies was a healthy scratch. - Star Tribune
Coach Guy Carbonneau says goaltender Carey Price (hip flexor/groin) might be ready to return Saturday or Sunday, but he won't play tonight against the Flyers. Ryan O'Byrne, Ben Maxwell and Saku Koivu (leg) also will not play tonight. - TSN
Ilya Zubov skated Thursday as an extra winger on the line with Ruutu-Spezza-Neil. He is having visa problems, so Cody Bass has been recalled. Brian Lee was sent back to the AHL after practice. Anton Volchenkov (lower body) will play Friday in New Jersey, but Dean McAmmond won't (pneumonia). Jesse Winchester did not skate for a second consecutive day. On Wednesday, coach Craig Hartsburg said Winchester was dealing with bumps and bruises. Alex Auld will start in goal Friday. - TSN
Goaltender Martin Biron was too sick to make the trip to Montreal. Antero Niittymaki will start tonight, with Scott Munro backing him up. - Philadelphia Inquirer
Forwards Max Talbot (foot) and Mike Zigomanis (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. Ruslan Fedotenko (illness) expects to play. - Tribune Review
Jeremy Roenick stated in a radio interview on Tuesday that he's out for 8-10 weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. - TSN
The team announced Thursday that Eric Brewer will have surgery on a herniated disc in his back on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely. - Media Release
Forward Jeff halpern (knee) makes his season debut tonight. Ryan malone (upper body) is also expected back in the lineup. - St. Petersburg Times
Sami Salo left last night's game with an apparent right shoulder injury. He was injured after getting hit by Edmonton's Ethan Moreau. Shane O'Brien was injured after taking a hit from Zach Stortini in first period. He did finish the period, but did not come out for the second. - TSN
Marco Sturm expects to return to the Boston lineup tonight. - Boston Herald Goaltender Andrew Raycroft will get his second start in three games tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is 8-1-1 against the Bolts in his career. Forwards Darcy Tucker and Ben Guite are expected back in the lineup tonight. - Denver Post Jason Chimera and Andrew Murray were injured Wednesday night. Chimera will undergo an MRI today on his groin. Murray suffered an "upper-body" injury, but it does not appear as serious as Chimera's injury. - Columbus Dispatch Stephane Robidas (broken jaw) went through a full practice Wednesday and is expected to play tonight. Steve Ott (hand) has been ruled out. - Dallas Morning News, Star-Telegram Goaltender Chris Osgood (groin) did not practice Wednesday. Ty Conklin has already ready been pegged as Thursday's starting goalie. - Detroit News Dwayne Roloson took a puck off the collar bone on Wednesday night and seemed to be in significant pain, but he stayed in the game. - TSN Stephen Weiss (neck/back) will be a game-time decision tonight. - Miami Herald With forward Marian Gaborik returning to action, Brent Burns has been moved back to defence. Rookie Colton Gillies was a healthy scratch. - Star Tribune Coach Guy Carbonneau says goaltender Carey Price (hip flexor/groin) might be ready to return Saturday or Sunday, but he won't play tonight against the Flyers. Ryan O'Byrne, Ben Maxwell and Saku Koivu (leg) also will not play tonight. - TSN Ilya Zubov skated Thursday as an extra winger on the line with Ruutu-Spezza-Neil. He is having visa problems, so Cody Bass has been recalled. Brian Lee was sent back to the AHL after practice. Anton Volchenkov (lower body) will play Friday in New Jersey, but Dean McAmmond won't (pneumonia). Jesse Winchester did not skate for a second consecutive day. On Wednesday, coach Craig Hartsburg said Winchester was dealing with bumps and bruises. Alex Auld will start in goal Friday. - TSN Goaltender Martin Biron was too sick to make the trip to Montreal. Antero Niittymaki will start tonight, with Scott Munro backing him up. - Philadelphia Inquirer Forwards Max Talbot (foot) and Mike Zigomanis (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. Ruslan Fedotenko (illness) expects to play. - Tribune Review Jeremy Roenick stated in a radio interview on Tuesday that he's out for 8-10 weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. - TSN The team announced Thursday that Eric Brewer will have surgery on a herniated disc in his back on Friday and will be sidelined indefinitely. - Media Release Forward Jeff halpern (knee) makes his season debut tonight. Ryan malone (upper body) is also expected back in the lineup. - St. Petersburg Times Sami Salo left last night's game with an apparent right shoulder injury. He was injured after getting hit by Edmonton's Ethan Moreau. Shane O'Brien was injured after taking a hit from Zach Stortini in first period. He did finish the period, but did not come out for the second. - TSN
Sharks got whomped 6-0.... Geez. Maybe they're tired of choking in the playoffs so they're starting now. 
0 6 - Franzen, J. (14:31 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (15:58 in 1st), Hossa, M. (09:18 in 2nd), Filppula, V. (07:25 in 3rd), Datsyuk, P. (12:29 in 3rd), Stuart, B. (16:29 in 3rd)QUOTE
"We can use the excuse that we had three games in four nights, but that's just an excuse," Sharks forward Ryane Clowe said. "Just embarrassing to play these guys ... like we're happy with ourselves."
<NHL.com recap>
Detroit Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson, left, Henrik Zetterberg, bottom, and Tomas Holmstrom (96), all of Sweden, keep the puck away from San Jose Sharks' Brad Lukowich (37) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Detroit.
(AP)
Detroit Red Wings' Valtteri Filppula, left, of Finland, celebrates his goal against San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, of Kazakhstan, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Detroit.
(AP)
San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau (12) makes an interior pass against Detroit Red Wings' Niklas Kronwall, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Detroit.
(AP)
Detroit Red Wings goalie Ty Conklin, center, defends as San Jose Sharks' Mike Grier shoots during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Detroit.
(AP)
2 - Backes, D. (09:09 in 2nd), Winchester, B. (PPG, 11:34 in 3rd)
4 - Kozlov, V. (16:14 in 1st), Kozlov, V. (17:06 in 2nd), Fleischmann, T. (17:46 in 2nd), Ovechkin, A. (PPG, 00:13 in 3rd) 
Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich, left, moves the puck as St. Louis Blues' Dan Hinote (13) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Washington.
(AP)
Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin (28), of Russia, goes airborne after being hit by St. Louis Blues' David Backes (42) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Washington.
(AP)
Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin, of Russia, lies on the iceafter being cross-checked into the boards by St. Louis Blues' David Backes during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Washington. Semin was injured on the play and was helped off the ice
(AP)
Washington Capitals' Tomas Fleischmann (14), of the Czech Republic, scores a goal against St. Louis Blues goalie Ben Bishop, top, as Blues' Brad Boyes, lower right, and Blues' Barret Jackman (5) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Washington.
(AP)
1 - Stillman, C. (02:29 in 3rd)
2 - Williams, J. (PPG, 14:52 in 1st), Corvo, J. (04:16 in OT) 
The "Dancing Granny" dances during a break in the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers at RBC Center December 18, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Carolina Hurricanes' Justin Williams (11) is congratulated on his goal by teammate Rod Brind'Amour (17) with Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun and Florida's Karlis Skrastins (3) nearby during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.
(AP)
Sergei Samsonov #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes collides with Richard Zednik #20 of the Florida Panthers during the game at RBC Center December 18, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Ray Whitney #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes controls the puck against Bryan McCabe #24 and Karlis Skrastins #4 of the Florida Panthers during the game at RBC Center December 18, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
6 - Cooke, M. (05:32 in 1st), Malkin, E. (09:40 in 1st), Staal, J. (PPG, 03:30 in 2nd), Satan, M. (PPG, 05:54 in 2nd), Boucher, P. (08:04 in 2nd), Malkin, E. (19:33 in 3rd)
3 - Reasoner, M. (19:21 in 1st), Little, B. (PPG, 07:32 in 2nd), Armstrong, C. (14:55 in 3rd) 
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, left, and Kris Letang (58) fight Atlanta Thrashers' Boris Valabik, of Solvakia, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18 2008, in Atlanta.
(AP)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke (24) slips the puck past Atlanta thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec, of the Czech Republic, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Atlanta.
(AP)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Brooks Orpik (44) takes down Atlanta Thrashers' Marty Reasoner after Atlanta scored in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18 2008, in Atlanta.
(AP)
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, right, covers a shot as teammate Rob Scuderi (4) defends against Atlanta Thrashers' Marty Reasoner (19) and Colby Armstrong, upper left, in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18 2008, in Atlanta.
(AP)
2 - Asham, A. (15:58 in 1st), Coburn, B. (13:28 in 3rd) 5 - D'Agostini, M. (06:00 in 1st), Kostitsyn, S. (PPG, 10:33 in 1st), Begin, S. (15:26 in 1st), Kovalev, A. (06:20 in 2nd), Latendresse, G. (PPG, 18:57 in 3rd) 
Philadelphia Flyers' Simon Gagne falls over Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Kostitsyn, of Belarus, in front of Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki, of Finland, during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP)
Philadelphia Flyers' Glen Metropolit lands on his hands in front of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak, of Slovakia, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP)
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak, of the Czech Republic, plays the puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers' Simon Gagne during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP)
Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Kostitsyn, of Belarus, collides with Philadelphia Flyers' Mike Knuble during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Montreal.
(AP)
2 - Stastny, P. (03:46 in 1st), Hejduk, M. (00:00 in SO) 1 - Halpern, J. (07:35 in 2nd) 
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Marek Malik (22), of the Czech Republic, pins Colorado Avalanche left winger Ryan Smyth (94) to the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 18, 2008, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP)
Goaltender Andrew Raycroft #1 and Brett Clark #5 of the Colorado Avalanche try to slow down Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum on December 18, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning brings the puck up ice against the Colorado Avalanche at the St. Pete Times Forum on December 18, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is told to stay back while the officials discuss a controversial call during penalty shots while taking on the Colorado Avalanche at the St. Pete Times Forum on December 18, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
5 - Nash, R. (01:34 in 1st), Brassard, D. (PPG, 10:02 in 1st), Umberger, R. (03:59 in 2nd), Huselius, K. (14:38 in 2nd), Nash, R. (17:14 in 3rd) 6 - Eriksson, L. (03:57 in 1st), Eriksson, L. (19:58 in 1st), Eriksson, L. (PPG, 01:20 in 2nd), Neal, J. (PPG, 02:39 in 2nd), Richards, B. (08:57 in 2nd), Richards, B. (00:00 in SO) 
Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco (35) makes the a glove hand save under pressure from Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.
(AP)
Left wing Rick Nash #61 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates during play against Mark Parrish #37 and Matt Niskanen #5 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at the American Airlines Center December 18, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Right wing Derek Dorsett #15 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates the puck into Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at the American Airlines Center December 18, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Center Jiri Novotny #12 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates the puck past Matt Niskanen #5 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at the American Airlines Center December 18, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
5 - Kubina, P. (PPG, 07:23 in 1st), Ponikarovsky, A. (08:36 in 2nd), Antropov, N. (09:58 in 2nd), Grabovski, M. (16:36 in 2nd), Blake, J. (PPG, 19:16 in 2nd) 8 - Sturm, M. (00:36 in 1st), Krejci, D. (PPG, 04:34 in 1st), Savard, M. (PPG, 01:28 in 2nd), Krejci, D. (02:03 in 2nd), Kessel, P. (04:21 in 2nd), Kessel, P. (18:00 in 2nd), Ryder, M. (PPG, 10:42 in 3rd), Krejci, D. (PPG, 15:44 in 3rd) 
Boston Bruins center David Krejci, of the Czech Republic, left, shoots past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala, of Finland, for a goal in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph, right, makes a save on a shot by Boston Bruins right wing Chuck Kobasew during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Mitchell, left, fights with Boston Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Toronto Maple Leafs Dominic Moore, right, celebrates a goal by teammate Jason Blake off Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, center, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008. At left is Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
1 - Fiddler, V. (09:57 in 2nd)
2 - Turris, K. (19:50 in 1st), Turris, K. (10:02 in 3rd) 
Phoenix Coyotes Daniel Carcillo, right, checks Nashville Predators Dan Hamhuis into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec 18, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)
Phoenix Coyotes Kyle Turris, left, looks to center the puck in front of Nashville Predators Radek Bonk, of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec 18, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)
Phoenix Coyotes Ken Klee, right, hits Nashville Predators Jordin Tootoo during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, Dec 18, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)
Phoenix Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, of Russia, left, makes the save on Nashville Predators Wade Belak during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Friday, Dec 18, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)
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