The Buffalo News is indicating that Tim Connolly may need surgery to repair a bone spur and torn labrum in his hip. If so, he will be out for the season. He may still try to play Sunday and deal with the pain for the final 25 games.

Maxim Afinogenov (groin) did not skate in practice today.

Scott Upshall has another ankle injury and will be out for at least the next week. 

"Looking Ahead " is a feature that gives you a seven day window of the teams with the most games against the weakest defensive opponents, as well as the same window for teams with the least games against the toughest opponents – priceless for roto leagues with weekly changes. Check it out! 

You may have noticed the site loading faster for you – I had the RAM doubled, because I wasn't happy with the speed of page loads. Hopefully this makes your DobberHockey experience nicer.

Jonathan Toews has been shooting for a return of February 13, but it is starting to look possible that he will be back Sunday, which is the 10th.

Patrick Sharp is already heating up in preparation of Toews' return. He has four points in his last three games.

Tobias Stephen backed up Mike Smith last night, as Marty Turco has a minor neck injury. He may miss Saturday's game too, but will probably be back in net for Tuesday.

Boston winger Peter Schaefer is out with a shin contusion. He will miss today's game.

Glen Murray should be back in the lineup tonight and he has been practicing with Krejci and Axelsson.

The Habs signed undrafted pivot Brock Trotter yesterday. He was a top scorer for Denver in the NCAA – outscoring the likes of teammate and Toronto prospect Tyler Ruegsegger. He is small though, 5-10 if he wears thick soles, 180 pounds soaking wet, so he's a bit of an underdog but will debut on the Fantasy Prospects list this weekend.

Derick Brassard missed last night's game with the flu of all things.

Coach Michel Therrien came down hard on Ryan Whitney earlier in the week – so hard that there was some speculation that he would be a healthy scratch last night. He wasn't, and he responded in a big way with two goals and an assist. Poolies have been waiting all year for him to wake up. Meanwhile, he had been sinking down my keeper D-man rankings.

An eye doctor wrote Marc-Andre Fleury a letter explaining to him why his yellow pads are giving shooters an advantage. Fleury listened and is now sporting brand new white pads.  It will take him two weeks to break in the new pads and he will return before that happens. Expect him to start a game next week with the old pads.

According to the Denver Post, Peter Forsberg changed his skates numerous times during practice with Modo on Monday. He may not be as ready for a return as everyone thinks…

Radim Vrbata was back in the lineup last night.

Martin Erat left last night's game in the second period with back spasms. He will be re-evaluated today.

Columbus rearguard Ole-Kristian Tollefsen left last night's game with a concussion sustained in a fight with Craig Weller.

Dany Heatley was back and not a moment too soon for the struggling Sens…

Torrey Mitchell was moved up to the second line in practice with Patrick Marleau and Tomas Plihal. Steve Bernier was not among the four lines and may be a healthy scratch Friday.

The most up-to-date NHL line combinations on the 'net, right here .