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Dobber’s article from Puck Daddy yesterday. I sure am glad that some of the “people” who comment over there haven’t made their way to the site here. Yikes! For such a great blog Puck Daddy sure attracts the clowns with computers.

Mike Green’s mysterious injury is/was a sore hand. He is expected to play tomorrow against the Coyotes.

Just browsing some box scores from last night… first off – Andrew MacDonald (who I had never even heard of before, and that rarely happens) played over 27 minutes last night for the Isles! I did some more digging, and it sounds like he has been the best Isles defenseman over the past few weeks. Both him and Jack Hillen aren’t producing, but they are logging heavy minutes and playing steady defense.

Looking at MacDonald’s career history, he did have 14 goals and close to 60 points in his final QMJHL season with Moncton. He had nine goals and 32 points in 69 games with Bridgeport last season as well. Those numbers aren’t spectacular, but they do show that he has been an offensive contributor before. Often times young defensemen really break out after they have mastered the defensive side of the game first. There are players who don’t fit this mold (Phaneuf and Del Zotto, to name two), but more often than not it rings true. Get him on your radars.

Colorado has recalled Ryan Stoa.

Jason Pominville, after a very poor start to the season, is turning things around (a bit). He has six points in his past three games.

Tim Connolly continues to stump doctors all over North America with his health. He had another two points last night in the Sabres game. If he hits 80 games, there may have to be a re-vote at the next Bandaid Boys directors meeting!

Patrick Marleau may be having the quietest elite season in the NHL right now. He is on pace for close to 60 goals and 90 points. Three more last night – contract year too. I can’t see him making it to July 1st, but if he does, you can bet teams would be lining up with BIG money.

The Phoenix top line of Upshall, Doan, and Lombardi combined for eight points. Upshall had the natural hattrick in a shade over 10 minutes.

John Carlson recorded his first career NHL point last night for the Caps.

Vinny Lecavalier is quietly on fire in his last 10 games. Over that span, he has 13 points, and is competing a lot harder. The key to Vinny’s game in my view is how involved he gets physically. He only emerged as an elite NHL player once he started hitting and playing with a bit of an edge, and it appears it is back (to a degree).

Steven Stamkos has 41 goals in his past 77 regular season games.

The Leafs lost a heartbreaker after some horrendous penalties in both the 3rd and OT. The one bright spot right now is the play of Ian White, who has emerged as a strong two-way defenseman. He plays an aggressive, confident style of game, similar to Kevin Bieksa in Vancouver. His puck skills are elite as well.

New captain Eric Staal had a hattrick last night. I know he was injured for a while, but the fact that he only has 13 goals is very surprising.

Brian Elliott won his third straight start. Over that span, he has allowed only four goals.

Ray Emery blanked the Rangers last night. It was only the second time in his past 10 starts where his save percentage has been over .900. Yikes!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tomas Vokoun continues his stellar play. He lost a close decision again, but his save percentage is around .970 over his past five.

If it wasn’t for his awful minus-14 rating, RJ Umberger would be having a solid fantasy season. He is on pace for over 25 goals and 55 points.

Sami Salo left the Canuck game with an apparent groin strain. It was only a matter of time with him. He will miss Saturday’s game against Chicago, leaving Vancouver without Bieksa, Mitchell, and Salo. Expect journeyman Nolan Baumgarnter to get the call up.

Prayers and well wishes obviously to Jean Beliveau, who suffered a stroke yesterday. One of the classiest men around.

5:43 – Marian Gaborik: 5 Minutes for Fighting Daniel Carcillo. Ummmmm?

Mike Green missed the game last night, and is listed as day-to-day with a "general body injury." Thanks for the insights, Washington!

Tampa Bay has sent down James Wright to the WHL. He started off the season strong, but has faded big time recently, and has even been healthy scratched a few nights. He will develop much better with the Giants playing big minutes on the top line. Tampa also claimed Nate Thompson off of waivers from the Islanders, and he will take Wright's spot on the roster.

David Backes missed the Blues game last night with an upper body injury. Don't expect him to miss much more time.

JP Dumont missed the Predators game with the flu. He is hoping to play in the next Nashville game.

Craig Anderson is starting tonight, and has won five of six starts. Like Colorado, he continues to surprise me with his strong play. I figured the Avs would have faded a bit by now.

Apparently Ales Kotalik has demanded a trade. Rangers sure caught a break if this is true, as they (for some reason) gave him a NTC last summer. He has two years left at $3 million per – I can't see any team taking him on at that salary. Way, way too inconsistent. Could end up in the KHL.

Victor Hedman was a healthy scratch last night. Time to trade him! Just kidding… of course.

I know it was pretty obvious to many, but Todd White's decline from last season to this season has been ridiculous. I don't think anyone expected a repeat of 73 points, but with approximately 35 games to go, White only has 18 points and was a healthy scratch last night.

Thanks TSN! I'd much rather watch Toronto and Tampa Bay play instead of Pittsburgh and Washington. I wonder what idiot at the NHL headquarters planned that one?

The Canadiens have parted ways with Georges Laraque. He will still be paid by the team, and is set to receive a buyout in the summer. Laraque will land somewhere else in the NHL, but he was an awful fit in Montreal.

Marc Savard should be back by Sunday. He has been skating on his own over the past few days.

Zach Kassian got 20 games for his impression of a human torpedo last week in the OHL. Seems like a fair suspension to me. Link to TSN story here.

Marc-Andre Fleury was placed on the IR yesterday, but he still expects to play Sunday. This just makes roster space for another player to be called up, as Fleury was retroactively placed on the IR. He is currently trying to find equipment that will support his broken finger.

I’m sure you have seen most of these, but worth watching – TSN’s top 10 creative shootout goals:

Alex Auld with a huge blunder last night:

Gaborik and Carcillo fight, with an obvious result:

Christan Ehrhoff with a beauty last night: