Interesting Calgary – Carolina deal, which I will analyze within the hour…

This is painful to say, it really is, but Todd Bertuzzi doesn’t want to slow down. This is why I hate writing off guys, because some of them eventually bounce back even when you are 100 percent certain that he’s done (are you listening Mr. Lecavalier?). Bert has 14 points in 15 games and going back to the postseason he has 25 in his last 27 (75-point pace). And no, that’s not thanks to his linemates – seven of his points have been playing on a line with Franzen and Filppula. In fact, he has never earned a point this year with Datsyuk on the ice with him, and only two of his points have come while Zetterberg has been around. I’m starting to become a believer in him getting back up over 60 points.

Corey Masisak is reporting that Fleischmann will be a healthy scratch. Bruce Boudreau – “it’s his turn to sit”. Bottom line is, though – he wouldn’t be sitting if he was producing. As in – Ovechkin will never have a turn to sit, I’m sure.

It’s official. Carey Price is in the zone and his confidence is back to where it was before his high ankle sprain from 22 months ago. Forty-one save shutout against the deepest offensive team in the league. That’s three shutouts on the campaign and his SP has crept up to .930.

Why is Scott Gomez still getting 18 minutes a game?

And at the other end of the scale, why is Lars Eller still getting six minutes a game? They’re Gilbert Brule-ing him. They better be careful.

Subban with a point to kick off this version of the post-Markov-injury era.

For those who missed it yesterday – Scott Parse underwent groin surgery and will be sidelined for three or four months. He probably won’t get another window of opportunity like the one he just had, playing on the top line – this is terrible timing, poor guy.

Brad Richardson now lines up alongside Kopitar and Brown – that’s a situation to watch. (The BAD line? ST to Puck Daddy for that one)

Andreas Nodl was back in the Philly lineup, but he played just eight minutes.

This is what Kris Versteeg owners have been waiting for – two goals to open the floodgates. He has seven points in his last seven games.

Clarke MacArthur has 16 points in 17 games. Last year he had 11 in 18 to start and the year before he had 10 in 18 to start. The big difference this year – the Leafs are leaning on him, giving him a ton of ice time. He’ll flirt with 60 this year. Easily a career high and nice fourth-year breakout.

Nazem Kadri played 20 minutes of hockey and picked up an assist. The Leafs won, so keeping him around probably wise.

MacArthur and Mikhail Grabovski managed to each go minus-4 while picking up three and two points respectively.
JS Giguere left the game with a LBI and Jonas Gustavsson was strong in relief. Gustavsson may be a decent pickup, as it looks as though Giguere  could miss some time – and the Leafs have snapped out of their funk.

The Washington Post is reporting that Marcus Johansson will line up with Ovechkin and Knuble. Backstrom centers Laich and Semin on the second line. Fleischmann gets the short end of the stick.

Another big winner in line combos is Alexander Vasyunov. He’ll be playing with Kovalchuk and Zubrus. Then again, maybe that’s not a win at all.

In the case of both Johansson and Vasyunov, the smart money is on the line combos changing again by Period 2. But it would be interesting if the chemistry was there and they each put up a point. That would earn them a second look no question.

Simon Gagne was back in practice for TB yesterday. He is still at best a week away. At best. I’d put my money on something closer to three.

Puck Rakers reports that Rick Nash looks good in practice and should be ready to go.

The Kings are trying to send Brayden Schenn to the AHL on a “conditioning stint”, but want the go-ahead from the NHL that it is allowed. He still plays pro hockey and gets some ice time for two weeks. Thus delaying the “10 games” decision.

The rumor is that the Kings are doing this in preparation to trading him to Calgary for Iginla. The problem is, this Flames Insider thinks that the Flames would get more. But I doubt it – Schenn is enough. Just like Iginla was enough (and Corey Millen, but seriously) when the Flames traded Joe Nieuwendyk to Dallas.

The Blues have recalled disappointing forward TJ Hensick (again). He’s got the AHL all figured out, but can’t seem to get it right in the NHL. He leads Peoria in scoring.

The MRIs on Langenbrunner (neck) and Taormina (ankle) came back negative, although neither will play tomorrow.

Columbus prospect – under-the-radar prospect, that is – Tomas Kubalik had a four-point night for Springfield last night. He now has 10 points in 16 games as a rookie pro. Kubalik had a great camp for CBJ and certainly jumped onto my radar as a result. A repeat next year would mean a roster spot.

Daniel Carcillo will miss the next three weeks with a sprained knee.