Flyers lines for tonight: Richards centering Asham and Hartnell, Carter centering JVR and Briere, and Giroux centering Gagne and Laperriere.

Ken Hitchcock does some serious line changing for the game tonight. Chimera with Umberger and Nash, Huselius with Vermette and Voracek, and Torres with Pahlsson and Dorsett. The fourth line is Murray with Brassard and either Filatov or Boll. I doubt these stick but interesting nonetheless.

Some more tidbits: Jimmy Howard is starting tonight for the Wings.

Brassard will still get his PP minutes but this is a reflection of his ineffectiveness as an even-strength player. Hitchcock is a thorn in the side of poolies who own any Jacket players (not named Steve Mason). Speaking of Mason, his numbers will take a bit of a hit while Hejda is out. Hejda doesn’t fill up the statistical columns but he is by far the most dependable defenseman on that team.

No surprise here – the Halak attack gets his third straight start!

Thanks to a comment below by Marcus Lepkowski – Lupul is playing on the top line with Getzlaf and Perry tonight for Anaheim. Ryan is the long-term fit there, but he has struggled to find the score sheet so far this season. Lupul is incredibly inconsistent and lazy at times (although this is not the case so far this season, according to our good buddy sentium), but playing in this situation could provide some added incentive for him. Keep an eye on his production over these next few games.

Chicago is starting Huet tonight (for $5.6 million reasons…).

Justin Williams is out tonight with a lower-body injury. Wayne Simmonds is replacing him on the top line with Smyth and Kopitar.

Gilbert Brule must have a severe case of the flu because he is missing his third straight game because of it. Tough news for both Brule and poolies (those few who owned him at the time…) as he was coming off a two-goal game before getting sick.

I remembered why I don’t bet on sports a few days ago. Decided to go for a few strong plays: Detroit over Phoenix (they lost 3-2 in OT), offensively-starved NSH/OTT to go under 5.5 (they combined for 11), and Columbus over a flu-ridden Oilers team (they lost 6-4). Ouch.

It looks like Kari Lehtonen won't be back any time soon. He stopped skating due to severe pain. His contract expires after this season, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Pavelec has been pretty decent (save for the debacle last game), so he will be given every opportunity to claim a stranglehold on the starting position in Atlanta.

Some back-ups starting on Saturday night: Giguere for Anaheim and Conklin for the Blues.

A Tucker update: he has a concussion and multiple cuts on his face, but was alert and moving after the game. Great to hear (besides the concussion, obviously).

Mathieu Schneider has been 100% for the past week or so, but hasn't been eligible to come off the long-term injury reserve yet. He will play Sunday against Edmonton – expect him to have a significant impact on the powerplay.

Nice to see that Mike Santorelli hasn't skipped a beat in the AHL after being demoted last week. He has six points in only three games for the Admirals and should be back with Nashville at some point in the next 10 games or so.

Both Seabrook and Toews are out tonight with concussion-like symptoms. I am not sure how or when Seabrook got hurt in the Canuck game, but Toews got his bell rung by Willie Mitchell's devastating open-ice hit.

Chicago has recalled Jake Dowell in the meantime.

Ebbett has been promoted to playing with Brouwer and Sharp while Toews is out. Ebbett hasn't really had an offensive opportunity yet in Chicago. He is too small and weak defensively to be a bottom-six player. He gets a great opportunity to show the production last season wasn't a fluke here.

Brian Elliot is starting for Ottawa tonight. He won't play a ton this year, but still should be a decent option for a fourth goalie in spot situations.

The Islanders have reunited the Okoposo, JT, Moulson line. No surprise – the only one is why did they split them up in the first place?

Tuomo Ruutu has been suspended three games for his hit on Darcy Tucker. Ruutu is having a decent season so far. Brandon Sutter has been recalled from the AHL to replace Ruutu on the roster (although not on the top line).

Brandon Dubinsky has been demoted to the third line with Higgins and Callahan. Prospal is centering the top line with Gaborik and… Enver Lisin? Interesting…

TJ Oshie had emergency appendectomy surgery last night, but the doctors got there before it ruptured (all according to Andy Strickland). I assume this means he is out for the game tonight!

Tomas Fleischmann inches closer to a return – he was assigned to Hershey on a conditioning stint. Bruce Boudreau LOVES his game, so expect him to see lots of time on the second line.

Kudos to the Western-conference leading Avalanche for continuing to roll! I don't think anyone saw this coming! Duchene and O'Reilly had two points apiece last night against the 'Canes.

Darcy Tucker was DRILLED from behind by Tuomo Ruutu. He lay motionless on the ice for several minutes before being stretchered off. Hopefully he can come back from this as it did not look good at all. Apparently he has all his mobility and suffered some facial lacerations. Not sure if there is a concussion yet (I think there would be).

Jon Quick’s three-year extension is a great deal for the Kings. They managed to lock up a legitimate NHL starting goalie for under $2 million per season ($1.8 to be exact). I really like Quick and think he has a bright future in LA.

Pavol Demitra underwent a second shoulder operation this week and is probably out for the season. The band-aid boys could use another executive – he fits the bill perfectly.

Joey MacDonald is starting tomorrow for the Leafs. MacDonald beat the Canucks last season as a member of the Islanders – can he do it again?

The Oilers have recalled Theo Peckham. The plan is to move Jason Strudwick to forward to cover for players suffering from the flu. Peckham has value in leagues that count PIM, and he has some decent upside as well.

Personal hunch – Jose Theodore is Washington’s starting goalie for the rest of the season (once he gets some games under his belt). Theo thrives in contract years, and he is a veteran presence on a team that is looking to win. I like Varlamov but not as much as others. Personally, I think Neuvirth is the goalie of the future in Washington.

David Perron with a beauty short-handed goal from Friday night: