Ovechkin has gone back to Russia to tend to his ailing grandfather. He will miss tomorrow's game. The Caps play just twice this week so if you want to risk benching him for both games, that might be wise.

Tom Poti is targetting a return to the lineup of this weekend. He has been out with a groin injury.

So far, Boston has been rotating Thomas and Fernandez evenly and Thomas' numbers have been superior (as expected). Thomas will start tonight.

Pascal Leclaire's injury is in his ankle and it has been bothering him for two weeks, but he aggravated it Saturday. The Jackets have recalled Dan LaCosta. Look for Leclaire to miss this week and there is a risk of something longer term here.

Columbus has sent Kris Russell to Syracuse of the AHL.

Johan Franzen will miss four weeks with a knee sprain. As expected to be their first call up, Ville Leino got the good news. Look for Leino to start on the third line. He should get 10 games in and I would expect six points or so.

Joni Pitkanen will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He was having a bit of a bounce back season, but nobody should be surprised that this Band Aid Boy got hurt – that's why I have a Band-Aid Boys list, to warn you of the guys that this happens to a lot.

📢 advertisement:

Rick DiPietro has an undisclosed injury and will probably not play tomorrow. Yann Danis has been recalled. The Isles also recalled Brett Skinner.

Chicago has assigned defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Jordan Hendry to Rockford. This could mean that Cam Barker will come back up.