Tyler Eckford

Be sure to listen to the Illegalcurve radio show tonight which features team beat writers Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News as well as Craig Custance of the Sporting News tonight starting at 7pm central. And here is today's word from the team beat writers: Randy Carlyle and the Ducks are trying pretty much anything to get the team out of its funk, and that includes having offensive star Corey Perry take some time on the penalty kill. Taking a look at the Thrashers special team lines from practice today Chris Vivlamore writes that Bryan Little and Pavel Kubina are back, and that Ilya Kovalchuk skipped. "We certainly need production from him" said Flames coach Brent Sutter in reference to Olli Jokinen, who is receiving 1st line minutes but has 4th line production so far this season. The Avalanche will be giving back-up goalie Peter Budaj his second start of the year against the Oilers tonight as Craig Anderson is given a rare night off. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, who will be a guest on the Illegalcurve radio show tonight, caught up with Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock and got his thoughts on Filatov returning to Russia. Speaking of back-up tenders getting the start, Alex Auld will be starting for the Stars tonight as they roll into Detroit to take on the red hot Red Wings. It was always clear that Dustin Penner had a decent offensive presence, but it appears that Pat Quinn and Tom Renney have certainly found a way to making him an ace penalty killer as well. Looks like the Los Angeles Kings will be without the services of Ryan Smyth for up to a month due to an 'upper-body injury' reports Rich Hammond. The Habs will be without right-winger Brian Gionta indefinitely with a broken bone in his left foot writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette. Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes about the Wild giving away free tickets, Woodbury resident Danny Irmen making his NHL debut and the new way in which Minnesota is making call-ups from Houston. Rookie defenseman Tyler Eckford, who was named the American Hockey League's Player of the Week, was recalled by the Devils on Wednesday with Cory Murphy going the other way. David Pollak of the Mercury News, one of tonight's guests on the Illegalcurve Radio show, offers a few final thoughts from Nashville. The Flyers first period dominance and ability to score the first goal has been the difference this season as they are 11-2-1 when tallying the first goal. The Tampa Bay Lightning are finding ways to win despite not playing its best writes Damian Cristodero and he is reporting that Mike Smith stays in net for Thursday's game against Anaheim. Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post has updates on the status of Alexander Semin, Quintin Laing and Jose Theodore.

On the Beat: Kings lose Smyth for up to a month, Oilers Penner thrives on PK, Habs Gionta out indefintely, Wild giving away free tickets, Capitals status updates on Semin, Laing and Theodore