January 18, 2009

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Matt Lombardi has six points in his last five contests. He is lining up with Iginla and Cammalleri, which obviously shoots up his short-term fantasy value. He has the potential to be a long-term asset as well, given that he is still just 26. Daymond Langkow will never reach 60 points if he doesn't play with one of Iggy or Cammy, so this situation is hurting him.

I'm always talking about his streaky play and here is further proof: After a run of eight points in 16 games, Ryane Clowe now has seven in his last four thanks to a four-point effort last night.

With Jason Arnott back in the lineup (he got two points), the Preds returned Ryan Jones to the AHL.

Rusty Olesz may undergo sports hernia surgery, in which case he would be out until mid to late March.

Sid the Kid practiced with the team yesterday, but experienced minor swelling in his knee afterwards. He will be in the pre-game warmup today and determine whether he will play at that point.

Kris Letang will also be a game-time decision. He was in yesterday's practice as well.

Daniel Briere will play one more game for the Phantoms tonight and then join the Flyers. He has four points in two AHL games to date.

Okay, this really has my full attention now. In the last two games with his new team, Rich Peverley has six points and is a plus-5 while clicking with Kovalchuk. In three games he has averaged about 19 minutes with Atlanta.

Nikita Filatov will be scratched today for his protection – Hitchcock believes that the game against the Canucks will be a rough one.