Just going over the monthly player rankings (they'll be up soon) and this obviously take careful team-by-team analysis. Anything shocking, I'll quickly throw my thoughts up here. Shock number one: suddenly, Shawn Horcoff is leading the Oil in scoring. Wha? 

The cavalry is coming for the Ducks – Getzlaf, Schneider and Neidermayer (Rob) could all be back in the lineup Thursday. Schneider is the only questionable one, but  he is very close.

Lukas Krajicek has a fracture in his foot. The Vancouver rearguard is expected out for the next thre weeks or so.

JP Dumont may have broken his finger last night. If so, it is the very tip of it and as such he may still be able to play. We will no more later today.

To make room for seldom used rookie David Perron, the Blues scratched Martin Rucinsky last night.  Perron played 13:19 and just 56 seconds on the PP. 

Milan Hejduk (back) will return to the Colorado lineup Thursday. I wouldn't count on him just yet…wait a game and see. Last game he came back, he left midway through.

Manny Fernandez injured his knee in practice yesterday and the Bruins recalled Jordan Sigalet from the AHL. Tim Thomas will start every game until Fernandez returns, so Thomas owners can rejoice now.

Both Ryan Shannon and Jozef Balej have knee injuries that will keep them out of the Manitoba lineup for a few weeks. The Canucks sent Mason Raymond back down yesterday due to lack of offense, but they obviously can't turn to Shannon and Balej. Look for Jannik Hansen to get the call. He won't solve their problem any.

Scottie Upshall, who has been recovering from a fractured wrist, will return to the lineup Thursday. With Simon Gagne still feeling woozy from his 'non-concussion' (he stubbornly refuses to admit that he has one), there is a chance that Upshall could play a prominent role and may be worth a flyer (no pun intended).

Brett Sterling was again a healthy scratch last night for Atlanta.

Tobias Enstrom played 27:33 last night and 8:41 on the PP but was again held off the scoresheet. Alexei Zhitnik played 13:27 and minimal PP time.

Carey Price stopped 31 of 33 shots last night. He is looking more and more like a gem.

Andrei Kostitsyn was a healthy scratch for the fourth time in five games, despite getting a point in the one game that he did play (and he was a plus-1).

Steve McCarthy is a minus-12 this season and he was a healthy scratch last night. I think he's about done as an NHLer. Expect a Ric Jackman-like career…if you haven't come to that conclusion already.

Another game, another five goals allowed by Chris Mason. He's killing me. In more than one pool. You know the talent is there, you saw it in the first two games as well as last season… but the team is playing like crap in front of him and his confidence is at an all-time low. Roto leagues with unlimited movements – it may be time to pull the plug on this guy. If your movements are limited…I guess your hands are tied. Like mine.

Kiprusoff stopped 39 of 40 shots last night. Alexander Radulov put one by him, but that was all.

Sheldon Souray is looking to return to the Edmonton lineup on November 7.
 

All three of Gaborik, Demitra and Backstrom are shooting to return Thursday, however they could be as late as this weekend.

Matt Greene left last night's contest with an ankle injury. He is the third Oilers rearguard to go down.

Joni Pitkanen had successful knee surgery yesterday and will be on the shelf for three to four weeks.

Dean McAmmond is questionable for Thursday, but he should make his season debut within the next few games.

New Jersey line combos: Zajac with Parise and Gionta. Madden with Pandolfo and Zubrus. Elias with Brylin and Clarkson. Don't say I didn't warn you about Zubrus.