Mid-Afternoon Injury News

Just a couple of tidbits that may be of interest to fans and poolies:

• Marty Turco (sore neck) is not accompanying the Stars to Minnesota for their game against the Wild tonight.
• Ducks forward Samuel Pahlsson (abdominal inflamation) may return to the team's lineup either tonight in New York but more likely for tomorrow's game in New Jersey.
• Bruins forward Peter Schaeffer (shin contusion) is out for tomorrow night's game at Buffalo.
• Glen Murray (hip flexor) is expected to be a game-time decision for tomorrow night's game against the Sabres.
• Mark Parrish (concussion) is still not ready to return to the Wild lineup.
• Josh Harding (illness) most likely will not back up Niklas Backstrom tonight against Dallas.
• Dany Heatley (separated shoulder) is returning to the Senators lineup tonight when they take on the Panthers.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Fantasy Watch: Goalie Starts

Jan 21st - 27th

Anaheim Ducks (2) – Expect Giguere to start both games in this short week.

Atlanta Thrashers (2) – Lehtonen is healthy again and should get both starts this week.

Boston Bruins (2) – Look for Thomas to receive both starts this week.

Buffalo Sabres (2) – Miller's last win was on December 22nd, so the Sabres may turn to Thibault for one start this week.

Carolina Hurricanes (2) – Ward should be between the pipes for both games this week.

Calgary Flames (1) – CuJo will need some time to get into game shape before he gives Kiprusoff a much needed rest.

Chicago Blackhawks (2) – After two straight wins with Lalime in net, the Blawkhawks should give him the nod for both games this week.

Columbus Blue Jackets (2) – Since returning from injury, Leclaire has won his past four starts.

Colorado Avalanche (2) – Theodore has gained full control of the #1 spot and should start both games this week.

Dallas Stars (2) – Look for Turco to start both games this week.

Detroit Red Wings (2) – Expect a split between Hasek and Osgood for these games.

Edmonton Oilers (2) – Roloson had his first start this month, giving up four goals in an OT loss Expect the Oilers to return to Garon for the next two games.

Florida Panthers (2) – Vokoun has been mediocre this season but should get both starts this week.

Los Angeles Kings (2) – LaBarbera has won his last three games and should receive both starts this week.

Minnesota Wild (2) – Harding missed his last start with a groin injury, so until he returns Backstrom will carry the load.

Montreal Canadiens (2) – Expect Huet to start both games this week.

Nashville Predators (3) – Mason hasn't been great lately and should yield one start to Ellis.

New Jersey Devils (2) – Brodeur should be in net for both games this week.

New York Islanders (3) – DiPietro has had a rough month thus far, but should receive all three starts this week.

New York Rangers (2) – Expect Lundqvist to start both games this week.

Ottawa Senators (2) – Look for Emery and Gerber to split the starts this week.

Philadelphia Flyers (2) – Nittymaki has gotten the bulk of the starts this month and should receive both this week.

Phoenix Coyotes (2) – Look for Bryzgalov to start both games this week.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) – Conklin has been fantastic while Fleury has been sidelined and should get both starts this week.

San Jose Sharks (2) – Look for Nabokov to shake his losing streak this week.

St. Louis Blues (3) – Legace is currently day-to-day with a forearm injury, making Toivonen the #1 guy.

Tampa Bay Lightining (2) – Ramo has struggled this season and will continue to split starts with Holmqvist until he can prove to be a reliable starter.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2) – Toskala has won his last two games and should get both starts this week.

Vancouver Canucks (2) – Luongo should receive both starts this week.

Washington Capitals (3) – With back-to-back games, expect Johnson to steal a start.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Fantasy Watch: Goalie Starts

Nov 19th-25th

Anaheim Ducks (3) – Bryzgalov's role has diminished recently as he only has two starts in November.

Atlanta Thrashers (4) – Pavelec has been a great fill in for Lehtonen and should continue to receive starts this week.

Boston Bruins (3) – Fernandez is still out with a knee injury making Thomas the undisputed starter.

Buffalo Sabres (3) – Miller struggles can be blamed on Buffalo's lackluster offense.

Carolina Hurricanes (3) – Ward has been great all year but may yield a start to Grahame with back-to-back games this week.

Calgary Flames (4) – Kiprusoff has started all 18 games this year, but this may be the week that
Calgary finally gives him a rest due to a busy schedule.

Chicago Blackhawks (3) – Look for Khabibulin to receive all three starts this week.

Columbus Blue Jackets (3) – Leclaire has struggled recently but is still the #1 goaltender in Columbus.

Colorado Avalanche (3) – Budaj is still the #1 guy, but Theodore's recent performances make it hard to keep him on the bench.

Dallas Stars (4) – The Stars don't like to overuse Turco, so with four games on the schedule expect to see backup Smith at least once.

Detroit Red Wings (3) – With back-to-back games, expect to see Osgood get the call once this week.

Edmonton Oilers (3) – Garon has outperformed Roloson this season and should see more starts.
Florida Panthers (3) – Vokoun should receive all three starts this week.

Los Angeles Kings (4) – LaBarbera has emerged as the starter in LA but it won't stay that way if he continues to struggle.

Minnesota Wild (3) – With Backstrom hurting, Harding will become the #1 guy.

Montreal Canadiens (4) – Price should see some action due to Montreal's busy schedule.

Nashville Predators (3) – Mason has turned it around recently winning three of his last four games.

New Jersey Devils (3) – Brodeur should receive all three starts this week.

New York Islanders (4) – Dubielewicz may see some action with back-to-back games this week.
New York Rangers (4) – Lundqvist has been the backbone to the Rangers team and should be starting all four games this week.

Ottawa Senators (4) – Gerber is currently riding an eight game win streak.

Philadelphia Flyers (3) – Biron should see action in all three games this week.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Auld and Tellqvist are still splitting time.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3) – Expect to see Fleury in goal for all three games this week.

San Jose Sharks (1) – Expect Nabokov to get San Jose's lone start this week.

St. Louis Blues (3) - Legace should get all three starts this week

Tampa Bay Lightining (4) – Holmqvist may yield a start to Denis with four games this week.

Toronto Maple Leafs (3) – After missing a game due to the flu Toskala should be ready to go.

Vancouver Canucks (4) – The Canucks rarely give Luongo a rest, so expect to see him in all four games this week.

Washington Capitals (4) – Kolzig rarely works back-to-back games, so expect to see Johnson in for one of them.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Get out the Recap: Kings lose 5th in a row

• The Los Angeles Kings lose to the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. Mike Cammalleri scored the lone goal for the Kings, tying Dany Heatley for the NHL lead. Pavel Datsuyk added 3 points for the Wings. After losing five in a row, The Battle of California has some ideas on how to help the Kings get into the win column.
  
• Josh Harding steps in goal for the Wild and does his best Niklas Backstrom impression, he makes 37 saves for the shutout and is the BEAST of the night. The Minnesota Wild defeat the Anaheim Ducks 2-0. Brian Rolston and Mark Parrish scored for the Wild. After allowing only four goals in five games, Barry Melrose Rocks gives his take on the greatness of the Minnesota Wild.
  

On tomorrow's schedule (all times Eastern)

7:00pm TOR@BUF
10:00pm: SJ@VAN, DET@ANA