On the Beat: Starters and lineup notes

• Kari Lehtonen gets the start tonight for the Thrashers versus Vancouver.  They need him if they want to sustain any kind of success.
• The Flames have demoted Darryl Sutter’s son back to the AHL.  Wasn’t expected to say up very long.
• Lindy Ruff means business when it comes to ice time with the Sabres.  His team is too talented to have such a mediocre record.
• Scott Clemmensen gets the start tonight for New Jersey.  When did he become this good?
• Teddy Purcell is on the top line in Los Angeles.  He’s got a lot of talent and I’d like to see him get an extended look on one of the top two lines in SoCal.
• Here are the Habs lineup notes for today’s game.  Who will pick up the Tanguay scoring slack?
• It looks like Rick DiPietro will start tonight for the Isles at Phoenix.  Can he stay healthy for more than a couple games is the question?
• Chris Mason gets the start tonight for St. Louis.  The team’s projected line combinations are also included in the post.
• An update on Jamie Heward after yesterday’s hit from Ovechkin.  Seems to have avoided serious injury.
• The Capitals’ lines from practice this morning.  Man, do they have an easy schedule.