Thursday, January 16
goalie info
Martin Prusek, Ottawa Senators - Prusek will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Ducks, reports the official Senators' site.
Curtis Joseph, Detroit Red Wings - Joseph will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Avalanche, reports the Detroit News. Unlike his predecessors Mike Vernon, Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek, Joseph does not anticipate instigating a fight with Patrick Roy, though it should be noted that each time a Wings goalie has fought (or tried to in Hasek's case) Roy in the regular season, the team has later gone on to the win the Stanley Cup.
Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche - Roy will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Red Wings, reports the Rocky Mountain News.
Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun has recovered from a minor case of the flu and practiced on Wednesday. Thus, he is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flames, reports the Nashville Tennessean.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sharks. Coach Lindy Ruff has gone on record a number of times to state that he will alternate Ryan Miller and Biron for the forseeable future, though it should be noted that Miller posted a shutout in his last game which could change Ruff's decision. We will probably have an update on this situation later today so check back if it affects you.
Tommy Salo, Los Angeles Kings - Salo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Felix Potvin, Los Angeles Kings - Potvin is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers.
Dwayne Roloson, Minnesota Wild - Roloson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.
Roman Cechmanek, Philadelphia Flyers - Cechmanek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sabres.
Brent Johnson, St. Louis Blues - Johnson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Wild.
Corey Schwab, New Jersey Devils - As we reported yesterday, Schwab is suffering from another viral infection and was unable to backup Martin Brodeur on Wednesday. Ari Ahonen was called up as the emergency second goalie, which is somewhat insignificant as Brodeur is pretty much a one-man show in New Jersey.
Chris Osgood, New York Islanders - A big rumor making its away around various media publications has Tampa Bay sending Roman Hamrlik to the Lightning in exchange for John Grahame, Pavel Kubina and Fredrik Modin. The Islanders would then turn around and ship Osgood and Brad Isbister to Boston for disgruntled defenseman Kyle McLaren and a draft pick. Management from each of the three teams are denying the reports thus far and so we'll have to take their word for it.
Byron Dafoe, Atlanta Thrashers - Dafoe's right groin strain will keep him out of action for at least two weeks, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In his absence, Pasi Nurminen will start all or at least the majority of games with Milan Hnilicka serving as a backup.
player info
Adam Deadmarsh, Los Angeles Kings - Deadmarsh is still not close to returning from a head injury suffered last month, reports the LA Times. He has not practiced since before Christmas and has only recently started riding a stationary bike. Deadmarsh has a major history of concussions and as we have witnessed this year and in year's past, the issue is very serious and as such, don't hold your breath waiting for him to return.
Ray Whitney, Columbus Blue Jackets - Whitney left Wednesday's game against the Ducks in the first period with back spasms and did not return. He will be re-evaluated within the next two days.
Mike Comrie, Edmonton Oilers - Comrie skated around in full equipment after practice on Wednesday and actually defeated some of his teammates in a friendly shootout despite having a cast on his hand. He is still expected to be lost for at least a month but may be able to return sooner if he can tolerate the pain.
Owen Nolan, San Jose Sharks - Nolan, who has missed the past two games with a groin injury, returned to practice on Wednesday and plans on playing Thursday against the Sabres.
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings - Yzerman participated in the Wings' optional practice on Wednesday and then scrimmaged with coaches and inactive players after practice. He looked good as usual and at one point jumped into the air to avoid a slapshot, landing with a big smile on his face. He continues to work towards an eventual return from knee re-alignment surgery and is aiming to play in February sometime.
Igor Larionov, Detroit Red Wings - Larionov got the night off on Wednesday against the Hawks, but should play on Thursday against the Avalanche. As we have stated before, it is normal for the 42-year old center to not play on back-to-back nights.
Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins - Thornton is expected to rejoin the Bruins on Thursday for practice in anticipation of returning to the lineup for Friday's game against the Thrashers, of course barring a setback in relation to his infected elbow.
Adrian Aucoin, New York Islanders - Aucoin missed Wednesday's game against the Devils with a groin injury. MRI tests showed no significant damage to the area and he is listed as day-to-day.
Mark Parrish, New York Islanders - Parrish has been recently suffering from a knee contusion but felt healthy enough to play on Wednesday. If Parrish ends up missing a game or two in the near future, you'll know why.
Scott Walker, Nashville Predators - Walker is doubtful for Thursday's contest against the Flames with a knee injury. Though he was able to finish the game, Walker was seen limping around following the contest and did not practice Wednesday either.
goalie info
Martin Prusek, Ottawa Senators - Prusek will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Ducks, reports the official Senators' site.
Curtis Joseph, Detroit Red Wings - Joseph will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Avalanche, reports the Detroit News. Unlike his predecessors Mike Vernon, Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek, Joseph does not anticipate instigating a fight with Patrick Roy, though it should be noted that each time a Wings goalie has fought (or tried to in Hasek's case) Roy in the regular season, the team has later gone on to the win the Stanley Cup.
Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche - Roy will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Red Wings, reports the Rocky Mountain News.
Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun has recovered from a minor case of the flu and practiced on Wednesday. Thus, he is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flames, reports the Nashville Tennessean.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sharks. Coach Lindy Ruff has gone on record a number of times to state that he will alternate Ryan Miller and Biron for the forseeable future, though it should be noted that Miller posted a shutout in his last game which could change Ruff's decision. We will probably have an update on this situation later today so check back if it affects you.
Tommy Salo, Los Angeles Kings - Salo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Felix Potvin, Los Angeles Kings - Potvin is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers.
Dwayne Roloson, Minnesota Wild - Roloson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.
Roman Cechmanek, Philadelphia Flyers - Cechmanek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sabres.
Brent Johnson, St. Louis Blues - Johnson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Wild.
Corey Schwab, New Jersey Devils - As we reported yesterday, Schwab is suffering from another viral infection and was unable to backup Martin Brodeur on Wednesday. Ari Ahonen was called up as the emergency second goalie, which is somewhat insignificant as Brodeur is pretty much a one-man show in New Jersey.
Chris Osgood, New York Islanders - A big rumor making its away around various media publications has Tampa Bay sending Roman Hamrlik to the Lightning in exchange for John Grahame, Pavel Kubina and Fredrik Modin. The Islanders would then turn around and ship Osgood and Brad Isbister to Boston for disgruntled defenseman Kyle McLaren and a draft pick. Management from each of the three teams are denying the reports thus far and so we'll have to take their word for it.
Byron Dafoe, Atlanta Thrashers - Dafoe's right groin strain will keep him out of action for at least two weeks, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In his absence, Pasi Nurminen will start all or at least the majority of games with Milan Hnilicka serving as a backup.
player info
Adam Deadmarsh, Los Angeles Kings - Deadmarsh is still not close to returning from a head injury suffered last month, reports the LA Times. He has not practiced since before Christmas and has only recently started riding a stationary bike. Deadmarsh has a major history of concussions and as we have witnessed this year and in year's past, the issue is very serious and as such, don't hold your breath waiting for him to return.
Ray Whitney, Columbus Blue Jackets - Whitney left Wednesday's game against the Ducks in the first period with back spasms and did not return. He will be re-evaluated within the next two days.
Mike Comrie, Edmonton Oilers - Comrie skated around in full equipment after practice on Wednesday and actually defeated some of his teammates in a friendly shootout despite having a cast on his hand. He is still expected to be lost for at least a month but may be able to return sooner if he can tolerate the pain.
Owen Nolan, San Jose Sharks - Nolan, who has missed the past two games with a groin injury, returned to practice on Wednesday and plans on playing Thursday against the Sabres.
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings - Yzerman participated in the Wings' optional practice on Wednesday and then scrimmaged with coaches and inactive players after practice. He looked good as usual and at one point jumped into the air to avoid a slapshot, landing with a big smile on his face. He continues to work towards an eventual return from knee re-alignment surgery and is aiming to play in February sometime.
Igor Larionov, Detroit Red Wings - Larionov got the night off on Wednesday against the Hawks, but should play on Thursday against the Avalanche. As we have stated before, it is normal for the 42-year old center to not play on back-to-back nights.
Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins - Thornton is expected to rejoin the Bruins on Thursday for practice in anticipation of returning to the lineup for Friday's game against the Thrashers, of course barring a setback in relation to his infected elbow.
Adrian Aucoin, New York Islanders - Aucoin missed Wednesday's game against the Devils with a groin injury. MRI tests showed no significant damage to the area and he is listed as day-to-day.
Mark Parrish, New York Islanders - Parrish has been recently suffering from a knee contusion but felt healthy enough to play on Wednesday. If Parrish ends up missing a game or two in the near future, you'll know why.
Scott Walker, Nashville Predators - Walker is doubtful for Thursday's contest against the Flames with a knee injury. Though he was able to finish the game, Walker was seen limping around following the contest and did not practice Wednesday either.
