Pre-Game Report

Here are some news and notes heading into tonight’s games:

• Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is out for tonight’s game against Columbus.
• Pascal Leclaire gets the start tonight for Columbus.
• David Vyborny (flu) will not play tonight versus Detroit.
• Michael Ryder (leg) is out for tonight’s game against Buffalo.
• Mikhail Grabovski (flu) will miss tonight’s contest for the Habs.
• Jack Hillen will make his NHL debut on the back-end for the Islanders tonight.
• Jonathan Cheechoo (head) is not expected to dress for the Sharks when they visit L.A. tonight.
• Brad Richards (lingering effects of mono) is out for tonight’s game at Phoenix.
• Mark Parrish (healthy scratch) is expected to be out for the Wild tonight.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.