The IR bug has hit Nashville hard this week. After recently losing center Jason Arnott with a knee injury for 6 weeks, the Nashville Predators how now lost their starting netminder, Tomas Vokoun as well.

Vokoun was injured in the Predators Thanksgiving Day 6-0 thrashing of the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday evening. Vokoun was lifted in the second period in favor of backup Chris Mason after apparently injuring his hand.
MRI results on the hand were less than favorable. Vokoun has a torn ligament in his left thumb, which will require surgery and keep him out of the Predators lineup for up to six weeks. Backup Chris Mason is expected to shoulder the bulk of the starts in Vokoun's absence (if he is still available in your Fantasy leagues, you may want to add him to your lineup.....I checked my leagues this morning, and he was picked up by all of them, so he is certainly a hot ticket right now), and has been solid for the Preds this year, most recently helping them defeat the Detroit Red Wings by making 30+ saves.

The loss of Vokoun last year to injury derailed the Predators playoff run, but this injury shouldn't hurt them too badly. Mason is a capable backup, and even without Arnott, the Predators have been very productive on the offensive side of the puck, scoring 30 goals in the last 7 games. I expect them to weather the injuries with little difficulty or a dip in the standings.

Quick Shave:
The New York Islanders and the New York Rangers are battling for supremacy in the Atlantic Division? No it's not 1980. Both teams have turned things around and after stringing a few victories together (including wins last night against Washington (for the Isles), and the Pens (the Rangers), the backyard rivals, have knocked their cross-river counterpart New Jersey Devils into second place. Speaking of the New Jersey Devils, the West Coast hasn't been kind to them. Last night they ran into a wall in San Jose Shark's goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who recorded his third victory by way of shutout 2-0. Ken Hitchcock got his first win as the new head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets as they defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-3. Sergei Federov had a 4 point evening (2 goals, 2 assists). The Philadelphia Flyers are fighting to save their season, and now have themselves a 2 game winning streak as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. Simon Gagne scored 2 goals and assist and Habs keeper David Aebischer seems to have fully solidified his position as a backup after losing his third straight start.

Game of the Night:
Buffalo at NY Rangers 7:00 PM
Calgary at Anaheim 8:00 PM

Third times the charm? Hopefully for the Rangers it is. They lost their first two meetings to the Sabres, and once again ride their win streak up against one of the NHL's best. The second game has treat written all over it. Flames! Ducks! Sounds like dinner! Enjoy the games my bearded friends!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh