Evgeni Malkin missed practice with a sore back, but will likely be in the lineup tonight. Mark Recchi was the last off the ice in practice, working hard in an attempt to not become a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.

It is looking as if Alexander Semin will return to the Washington lineup Monday against Florida.

Nicklas Backstrom played on a line with Ovechkin and Chris Clark last night. The team did poorly, so he likely won't remain there for next game.

Sami Kapanen is likely to return to the Philly lineup today. Denis Tolpeko was sent down as a result.

Simon Gagne rode the exercise bike yesterday for 20 minutes – his longest yet. He's still at least two weeks away and likely five or six.

A Coyotes source says that the team is interested in Ilya Bryzgalov. Buffalo, Edmonton and Washington would need to pass first. I think they will pass, so the 'Yotes are looking good as Ilya's new team. We'll find out at noon.

Don't be down on your Coyote's players – the entire team has just one goal in three games. We know that the team will be one of the worst for offense, but they will do better than one goal in three games. Mueller will start scoring again when the team does. 

MA Bergeron was a healthy scratch again, but Bill Guerin returned to the Islanders lineup last night. Bryan Berard won't be putting points on the board as long as the opposition continues to stay out of the penalty box. For the second straight game the Isles just had two power plays.

Shea Weber will return to the Preds' lineup tonight after missing most of the season with a dislocated knee cap. 

Mark Parrish missed the final two periods with a strained back, while center Mikko Koivu sustained a possibly serious left knee injury when he was viciously slashed late in the third period by Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund.

John Grahame will likely start today for the 'Canes. 

Chris Osgood missed practice yesterday with the flu and may not back up Hasek today. He'll likely make it though, because in order to call up Jimmy Howard they would have to place Ozzie on the seven-day IR.

Rostislav Olesz will likely rejoin the Florida lineup within the next three games. Today is a possibility.

Cory Murphy is doubtful for today's contest against the 'Canes. 

Josh Harding allowed three goals on 11 shots and got the hook last night. Jose Theodore allowed five goals on 15 shots and also got the hook.

Andrew Ladd returned to the Carolina lineup. He mostly lined up with Staal and Stillman, but eventually settled in with Larose and Letowski as the 'Canes fell further behind.

Jeff Cowan returned to Vancouver's lineup and played 11:04.

Paul Martin missed last night's contest with a lower body injury. Sutter indicated that it was a combination of a sore back and leg.

Dallas recalled Loui Eriksson from Iowa. he played on the fourth line with Barnes and Ott.

Jason Williams is questionable for today's contest against the Red Wings.

Khabibulin will get the start. It will be his second start in a row after giving up a few starts to Lalime.

Martin Havlat will test his injured shoulder on Monday and if all goes well he should be back in the lineup for Thursday.

Brent Sopel is probable to return to action for Chicago tonight.

Manny Fernandez is trying to avoid surgery and heal his knee via rehab. Surgery would take him out for six months. Rehab would keep him out anywhere from two to eight weeks – the Bruins aren't saying.

Marian Hossa has nine points in his last four games and 12 in his last seven.

Calgary rookie Eric Nystrom has three fights in his last four games. That should interest those in pools that count the PIM's.

Erik Cole's absence is killing the production of Cory Stillman and Eric Staal. Just something to keep in mind.

Jussi Jokinen scored four goals on five shots yesterday and Sergei Zubov assisted on all four. Since being a healthy scratch last week, Jokinen has seven points in six games.