Angus here.

Matt Carle has been dealt to Philadelphia for Steve Downie and Steve Eminger. Great news for Carle, not so good for the two going to Tampa Bay. Someone needs to tell the Lightning management that this isn't their NHL 2009 dynasty.

Live in Canada? Sorry, you can't go to the NHL Winter Classic this season. Details are here .

Nik Antropov is out day to day with a bruised foot. He took a shot off it in the first and left the game, but X-rays were negative.

John Mitchell separated his shoulder taking a hit from Aaron Ward. 

Evgeni Nabokov had to be helped off the ice after the game last night. After making a save in the shootout to secure the win, he lay face down on the ice for a few minutes. He did not put weight on his left leg. The Mercury News is reporting that it is his knee, but no further info is available. Scoop Brian Boucher now!

We have Notch's replacement for the Saturday Picks. "Digital Monkey" as he is known in the forum, or Dale McCarthy has some great insights to share on a weekly basis. "Mapletree Marty" was the runner up and will be subbing in when Dale can't get it done. Saturday Picks give you great insight on the games for that day – some little known facts that should influence your decision when you pick your winners. 

Despite abdominal surgery just 13 days ago, Daniel Briere skated on Monday and practiced with the team on Tuesday. Word is that he practiced again yesterday and stayed on the ice afterwards, as if testing his limits. It is looking like the original 3-4 week prognosis will actually be closer to two and a half…

Ryan Jones was a healthy scratch and so was not a part of the Preds comeback attempt from a 5-0 deficit. Pekka Rinne was pulled after giving up four goals on 10 shots in the first.

TJ Hensick made his season debut last night and earned an assist on the Avs only goal.

The Avs sent David Jones to Lake Erie

Doesn't in ruin your morning …and I'm talking to those out east here … when you wake up to check the west coast games and see that the team that you have a lot of guys on was in a 1-0 game?

Erik Ersberg only faced 15 shots, but he got the win. That may be enough to earn another start. I should have held my ground in the Guide. I had said all through the summer that he would take the No.1 job, but I wavered on that in the final days leading up to the season.

Alex Pietrangelo had his first NHL assist last night.

Ryane Clowe continues to roll. His two goals last night give him 11 points in his last nine games.

Andrew Ladd has four points in his last three games for the 'hawks.

Radim Vrbata returned to the lineup, but played just under nine minutes.

Atlanta recalled Boris Valabik to replace Schneider. Valabik played nine minutes and earned two PIMs.

Stephen Weiss, Bryan McCabe and Greg Campbell all returned to the Florida lineup. McCabe and Bouwmeester each played about 6:30 on the PP, clearly they are manning the top unit. Ballard and Boynton each played around three minutes, so they are the second unit. 

The Oilers have placed Denis Grebeshkov on injured reserve with an upper body injury. They recalled Theo Peckham.

Brent Burns, who also has an upper body injury, has returned to Minnesota to rest and receive treatment. He will miss the next two games at the very least. Forget protecting against head shots, the NHL should target "upper body" injuries… they're everywhere!

Mathieu Schneider missed last night's game with a hip flexor injury. He will miss at least the next two.

Kari Lehtonen missed the contest with the stiff back and the flu, but he is expected to start tonight against Buffalo. Or at least be the backup.

Matt Cullen missed his third game with a groin injury last night.

Tuomo Ruutu has seven points in his last five contests. Last year he showed he can stay healthy, now he needs to show he can stay healthy AND produce. So far, doing both at the same time has eluded him, but this season is a great start.

Give Mikhail Grabovski another goal. That gives him six points in his last three games.

Anton Stralman was scratched to get Ian White into the lineup, who picked up an assist.

Blake Wheeler got his first career hat trick.

The line of Mike Fisher, Daniel Alfredsson and Jesse Winchester is finally clicking. They had five points last night. The streaky Fisher makes a great pick up now, for the next couple of weeks.