No Maltby Tonight, But Hasek's Back
No surprise there, really. Maltby skated Monday in Montreal, but coach Mike Babcock said he didn't expect him to feel well enough to play tonight -- and he won't. Maltby, out with what he's calling a sore back, opted to sit out today's morning skate and won't be in the lineup. Babcock's targeting Friday's home game with Minnesota for his return.
As for the lineup, it'll be the same skaters as Saturday's Phoenix game, backed by Dominik Hasek in net for the first time in nearly two weeks. One other possible change: breaking up the top line with Datsyuk centering Holmstrom and Filppula and Zetterberg with Samuelsson and Franzen. Gotta do something to spark some secondary scoring.
For Montreal, they're feeling the pressure after a terrible loss Saturday vs. Nashville, their fourth loss in five games. Michael Ryder's been demoted to a third-line role to try to light a fire under him. And it'll be rookie Carey Price in net with Cristobal Huet (groin) out.
Game's on Versus tonight, but it's still a 7:30 start, by the way. Big pregame ceremony honoring the Original Six rivalry with Gordie, Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio joining the likes of Jean Beliveau and, yes, Claude Lemieux.
