Marek Zidlicky missed yesterday's contest with a back strain. It was "a minor injury" so do not expect him out for long.

Dan Ellis will get in a game during Nashville's three-game road trip that starts Thursday in Ottawa. Given Toronto's luck in facing backup goaltenders this season (it is really quite remarkable – look it up), I would guess that Ellis will play against the Leafs a week from Tuesday.

Wayne Gretzky stated that Friday's win over the Ducks was Peter Mueller's best game. That includes the game where he scored a hat trick earlier this season.

Dick Tarnstrom sustained a mild concussion and sat out the end of yesterday's game. 

Both Tuomo Ruutu and Patrick Sharp missed last night's contest with the flu. As a result, Dustin Byfuglien lined up at forward. It is not known if Ruutu or Sharp will play today. Petri Kontiola has been recalled just in case.

Jason Williams is hoping to return to the lineup Sunday.

Cory Murphy is targeting Wednesday's game for a return from his bruised shoulder.

Mike Commodore broke his finger Friday and will be out indefinitely.

Marc-Andre Bergeron was back in the lineup after missing five games as a healthy scratch. Despite under nine minutes of ice time, he still managed two shots and was a plus-1. I don't know what to say about this guy other than Bryan Berard made him expendable.

Shawn Bates, who missed the last 10 months with groin and sports hernia problems, has completed his AHL stint and is ready to return to the lineup. I think he will have a point every two games, 1.5 PIM's per game, and will be a plus player when he initially joins the Isles, so if your league is deep enough to warrant that kind of production, pick him up. Although, he is a certified Band-aid Boy.

Martin Straka, in his second game back from a broken finger, strained his hamstring and left the game yesterday. He is doubtful for today's game.

Detroit prospect Johan Ryno has left North America to join Djurgardens in the Swedish Elitserien. He is ranked 136 on my top fantasy prospects list.

Jere Lehtinen's injury is a sports hernia and he is listed as day-to-day. Joel Lundqvist has been recalled from Iowa. Lehtinen will probably miss a long stretch of games.

Antti Miettinen is day to day with a groin strain.

Rhett Warrener suffered an ankle injury Saturday and will be out of the lineup for awhile. David Hale will draw back in.

Kyle Calder was back in the Los Angeles lineup.

Vancouver assigned Luc Bourdon back to Manitoba.

In his NHL debut, Vladimir Sobotka played the big 4:45 of ice time.

The Jackets made Kris Russell a healthy scratch for the second straight contest. Expect this sort of thing on and off all season long, as the youngster lacks consistency. Most offensive defensemen take several years to hone their game.

Jiri Novotny missed the contest with a shoulder injury. It seems minor, so consider him day to day.

Jared Boll of the Jackets leads the league in fights this season with nine. He has 71 penalty minutes and could clear 250 when it's all said and done.

Carolina's Scott Walker is targeting a return in two weeks. He had torn his chest ligaments about a month ago.

Drew Stafford hopes to be back in the lineup tomorrow.

Daniel Alfredsson is targetting a Wednesday return from his groin injury. 

Fleury picked up his first shutout of the season in stopping the red-hot Thrashers. The Pens have turned it around – finding their scoring touch, which is all Fleury needs to start posting the W's now.

Ilya Bryzgalov has four straight wins as a Coyote.

Patrick Sharp now has 16 points in his last 16 games.

Bill Guerin is pointless in his last nine contests. He started off hot – I can only hope that you traded him then… like I did (hate to rub it in!)

Jason Blake had his first point in 10 games yesterday.

Radim Vrbata is on fire. He's another streaky scorer so he's worth a temporary pickup. He has five points in two games.

As I told you would happen – the Caps have nine goals in two games under their new coach. Backstrom has five points, Ovechkin has three, Poti has two and Nylander has three.

Jose Theodore got blasted for five goals on 31 shots yesterday.

Daniel Briere has 12 points during the eight games that Gagne has missed so far.

Sergei Gonchar may have picked up three assists last night, but he was held out of the third period with a sore groin. It is unknown if it will keep him on the shelf for long.

Filip Kuba missed yesterday's contest with an abdominal injury.

Ryan Craig left last night's game with a knee injury. He is scheduled for an MRI.

Alexander Semin said that he will play in Monday's contest. That being said, his frequent ankle sprains worry me and who knows if he will get through the game.

Brian Gionta is on a four-game point streak.

Kari Lehtonen has been sent to Chicago of the AHL for a three-game conditioning stint.

The Leafs made Jiri Tlusty a healthy scratch yesterday.