Sami Salo will most likely be returning to the lineup on Tuesday against the Kings, while Mattias Ohlund has his sights set on the Canucks game on Thursday against the Avalanche.

Lindy Ruff believes that one or both of Tim Connolly and Maxim Afinogenov will be in the lineup before Sunday finale against the Flyers. He says that Connolly will be in a limited, power play role to start as he gets back into game shape. Keep Connolly in mind for your playoff pool. Of course…you won't have to be reminded of that if you buy my interactive playoff draft list…

Why is everyone surprised that Lou fired Claude as the Devils' head coach? He's pulled this stunt before and he'll do it again. Lou has his way of doing things and it involves drinking a certain amount of Kool-Aid. Stop drinking it and you're gone. It doesn't matter anymore – Lou's way of doing things does not work in the new NHL. He may have gotten out of his stupid signings through some classic weaseling, but that won't last forever. In the meantime, his team is stuck with their backs against the cap, unable to improve. They have a top goalie and a good top two lines – but their defensemen are horrible as a whole, and their coaching strategy is for dinosaurs. The last time Lou did this, it won them the Cup. All it does this time is maybe stretch their survival to seven games in the first round instead of five.

Carlo Colaiacovo did not return to play the third period on Sunday, as he left with an undisclosed injury.

Jonathan Cheechoo has 44 points in his last 40 games and 17 in his last 10. Suddenly, it looks like he'll hit the 70-point mark, something that seemed impossible three months ago.

Petr Kalus scored his third career goal on his third career shot in his third straight game yesterday for Boston.

The Bruins are talking about recalling Toivonen and letting him get the final three starts.

Scott Gomez missed yesterday's game because of a bruised thigh, but Brian Gionta returned from his groin injury and scored.

Mark Parrish missed Saturday's contest, as well as yesterday's practice, with the flu.

Scott Walker missed yesterday's game because of food poisoning. Tim Gleason left Carolina's game after taking a shot off the hand. He has a broken finger. Anson Carter finally drew back into the lineup as a result of Walker's absence, but was again pointless.

Justin Williams has just one point in his last five games and has gone goalless for nine straight.

Olli Jokinen is on fire with 17 points in his last eight games.

Sean Avery has 19 points in 26 games since joining the Rangers. He is looking a depth fantasy option in deep pools that don't count PIMs. Leagues that do count PIMs…well, the guy's a stud. He has 11 points in his last nine games and he is a plus-12.

The Habs are hoping prospect goalie Carey Price will join the Bulldogs for the end of the season, now that his junior team has been eliminated.

Ryane Clowe is pointless in seven games. That's Bill Guerin taking up the ice time.

Kyle Calder is now pointless in eight games. Much of that is Cleary and Bertuzzi coming back.

A depth defenseman fantasy option – Mark Steit of the Habs. He has 13 points in his last 20 contests.

Ryan Whitney is now sixth in scoring amongst defensemen with 58 points. I think he'll be first next season, or perhaps second behind teammate Gonchar.

Ryan Parent, acquired in the Forsberg deal, passed a physical and will join the Flyers for practice today. If Derian Hatcher, who is bothered by his hip, can't play, expect Parent to make his NHL debut.