I have an interesting take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in my blog. Read it here.  

The Sabres returned Clarke MacArthur to Rochester.

Petr Prucha missed yesterday's game with a wrist injury. He took a slash to the wrist late in Saturday's game against Toronto. He skated in the pre-game warm up, but decided that he couldn't go. Marcel Hossa drew back in.

Scottie Upshall is day to day with an ankle injury. It's a mild sprain.

Saku Koivu missed yesterday's game with a virus, but the Kostitsyn brothers' line along with Plekanec really took off in his place. Andrei and Plekanec each had three points, while Sergei had one.

The Bruins sent Sobotka to the minors and recalled David Krejci. Offensively, they are really struggling and so they are hoping that Krejci can provide a spark.

Jack Skille played his first NHL game yesterday, but only played six minutes.

The Blackhawks are changing their outlook for Martin Havlat and are saying that he may be back as early as Thursday from his groin injury. The way I see it, if he's back a week early it will give him an extra week to squeeze in another injury this season.

Brandon Bochenski, given a chance to fill Glen Murray's right-wing slot on the No. 1 line for the last two games, was dropped to the fourth line in practice.

Glen Murray is expected to skate on his own today.

Dennis Wideman has played 30 minutes or more in three of the last four games. When the Bruins start scoring again, he'll pick up some good points and makes an excellent pickup in most formats.

David Booth was back in the Florida lineup last night and played 13 minutes and saw time on the power play.

Peter Budaj will get the start tonight for the Avs.

Matt Cullen was back practicing yesterday and he could play tonight but it is doubtful. Apparently, while he was knocked unconscious last Wednesday from Colton Orr's hit, he did not sustain a concussion. I'm no doctor but… what? Let's not split hairs here. If you're knocked out you can call it what you want, but I'm slotting it into the same category as a concussion and being just as cautious as a result.

Mike Peca will miss tonight's game with a possible concussion.

Don't forget there is a matinee game today and you will need to get your rosters in early. See Looking Ahead for some help with that.

Happy New Year guys and gals! Enjoy a beer for the Dobber during tonight's festivities!