To our Canadian readers, there are actually quite a few afternoon games today due to U.S. Thanksgiving. Now here are some morning developments from beat writers around the NHL:
- Milan Lucic will be out for two-to-four weeks with a sprained ankle. I think his Olympics chances are no longer real.
- Prior to today’s afternoon tilt, Bruins coach Claude Julien told reporters that Tim Thomas may start tomorrow. Obviously Thomas is an important cog on the Bruins but Rask has been pretty, pretty, pretty good.
- Tuomo Ruutu returns to the Canes lineup tonight and Manny Legace gets the start. I have to say, I have been impressed with the play of Brandon Sutter having watching the Canes on a couple of ocassions. The way he plays, you can tell which family he’s from and the Canes need that type of grit and determination.
- Here is what Panthers GM Randy Sexton and coach Pete DeBoer had to say about Ville Koistinen’s demotion to the minors. I could see a team claiming him off re-entry waivers.
- Andrei Markov did not skate for the Habs today. Not surprising, remember that he is targeting a return for January.
- John Glennon talks about the Predators’ decision to bring Dave Scatchard back up from the AHL. Dave Scatchard? Like the forward from Vancouver? I kid. Scatchard should help bring a calming influence to that line and he is willing to sacrifice his body to stick around.
- Penguins/Islanders starts in just over an hour, so here is your comprehensive preview. Tavares versus Crosby.
- The Capitals have recalled Alex Giroux and are placing him on the top line. Love this move. Giroux is a natural goal-scorer, so calling him up and throwing him on a depth line makes little sense. He has terrific hands, so let’s see what he can do with time and space playing alongside Ovechkin and Backstrom.