Tarik El Bashir noted on Twitter that as of 11:15 am this morning the Caps were still not in Toronto. They could be tired tonight.

Portzline is reporting that Fred Modin will be in the CBJ lineup tonight.

Steve Zipay is reporting that Dubinsky could play Monday.

Michal Repik has been recalled to replace Dominic Moore, who was injured last night. Repik should be a regular by next season, as he’s getting closer. He’ll be a second liner in the NHL.

Baseball fans may be interested in perusing DobberBaseball’s fantasy prospects rankings, which are updated now by Snyder. You can find them here.

It now appears as though we won’t see Varlamov in the lineup until Christmas. The Times is hinting at December 23rd.

The Gazette is reporting that Chris Kunitz is practicing with Crosby and Guerin and could return to the lineup tonight.

Joffrey Lupul is day-to-day with a leg injury. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long, as he was really in a groove on that top line.

Jiri Tlusty scored a goal in his first shift as a Carolina Hurricane. He played just 10 minutes though and was a minus-1 as the game got tight and Maurice wound down his ice time.

Rod Brind’Amour saw just six minutes of ice time.

Mike Knuble was back in the lineup for the Caps, which hurt Eric Fehr’s ice time – he saw just under 10 minutes and was pointless.

Rick DiPietro stopped 13 of 14 shots in his second AHL start. He left after the second period with “tightness”. It was apparently precautionary, but it is RDP we’re talking about here.

Dan Sexton – another two points. That gives him four in two games playing with Koivu and Ryan. Be cautious – he could just be an Andrew Ebbett…but for now he looks like a great roto-league acquisition.

FOUR points for Dustin Penner? Alright – he’ll get 75 this year.

Three points for Gilbert Brule? He’ll still get 55. I’m sticking to that one.

With two points last night, David Backes has nine in his last nine games.

Robert Nilsson always always responds to healthy scratches. I know he missed time with a concussion, but given his play all season I figure that his games missed was extended a little further than it needed to from a medical standpoint. But he’s back with a vengence, posting points in all five games that he has played since his return.

Interesting to see Ryan Potulny play over 17 minutes last night, including significant time on special teams. I think he’s in the NHL for good this season. He’s good for just over a point every two games.

Andy McDonald has just two points in his last 10 games and is a minus-3 in that span. He’s on pace for just 43 points and I wouldn’t bet on him topping 55.

Although he was held pointless, it was interesting to see Nathan Gerbe play more than Tomas Vanek last night. He saw nearly 18 minutes. He’s really getting a chance this time – something that I was doubtful of when I rambled on him a few days ago.

Both Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone were in the TB lineup and saw regular ice time. They were pointless, however.

Cal O’Reilly was sent down to the AHL. He has played nine NHL games this season and if he were to play a 10th, he would need to clear waivers again. He had a better showing this call-up and has been tearing up the AHL, so I question whether he would make it through waivers if he were to go through it again.

Brandon Dubinsky is back in practice for the Rags and I would guess that he will be back by early to mid next week. He is still wearing a cast.

I would like to welcome Ryan Van Horne to the DobberHockey team. Ryan will be writing about prospects every Saturday and he comes to us from ISS, so his experience with the youngsters is fairly strong. He’ll make his debut later today.

In case you are curious as to who I would ice for Team Canada at the Olympics, I’ll throw them up for you now.

FORWARDS: Nash-Crosby-Iginla
St. Louis-Getzlaf-Perry
E.Staal-Thornton-Heatley
Doan-Richards-Morrow
Stamkos
(spares: Tavares, Lecavalier)
(under consideration: Smyth, Carter)

I think this team gives the right mix of grit, size and skill, and having Stamkos as the 13th forward will add a great fill-in for anyone who struggles or is hurt mid-game. Tavares will be in the press box for the experience and Lecavalier will be there to fill in when injury strikes. Although Patrick Marleau is outplaying Staal this season and has proven chemistry with the other two Sharks, I think the “sexy” or “popular” vote will apply here. I also like Brad Richards, but there are only so many spots up the middle.

DEFENSEMEN: Niedermayer-Pronger

Phaneuf-Weber

Keith-Doughty
Bouwmeester
(spare: Green)
(under consideration: Jovanovski, Boyle)

GOALIES: Brodeur
Luongo
(spare: Price)
(under consideration: Fleury)

I think if you are going to sit a goalie in the press box, he needs to be young and considered the future of that position for Canada. Both Price and Fleury are golden boys, but I think Price is considered that just a tad more than Fleury is by the powers that be.
Discuss! (I have opened a discussion spot in the forum here)