Todd Bertuzzi will return this evening to face his old team the Vancouver Canucks.

Now three teams removed since being traded by the Canucks to the Florida Panthers for goaltender Roberto Luongo (then traded later last year to the Detroit Red Wings), Bertuzzi visit's his former home now as an Anahiem Duck. While Luongo has gone on to flourish, Bertuzzi has been stuck in neutral, hampered by injuries, this season's latest a concussion, which has sidelined him since October 15th. His return to the lineup is perhaps a bigger deal for the Anaheim Ducks.

These homecomings of sorts for players nowadays are more common place, but still seem to tug at our heart strings, and most certainly our curiousity. I'm sure many will be watching this match tonight, but is it really that big of a deal? I watched the Ryan Smyth return last month to Edmonton.... and it was exactly what I expected it to be. Smyth was blubbering uncontrollably prior to the match, and wasn't much of a factor during the game itself. The return is more about the fans. How will they receive the high priced merc that walks through their doors in another squads colors? Ask Chris Pronger if he felt slighted that he didn't get a reception similar to the one Smyth received.

Tonight's Prediction: Bertuzzi wells up, as fans serenade him with praise (except for the real fans up top who will give him the real 411), and then he will go pointless tonight, -2 rating, and 4 minutes in penalties. Regardless of my pessimisstic view, I still snagged him on one my fantasy rosters.

Quick Shave:
The city of Philadelphia is loaded with idiots. That much is certain. The Philadelphia Flyers are a personification.... or rather a celebration of those idiots. What the hell is wrong with this club. I'm all for physical hockey, don't get me wrong, but I'm for hockey first and foremost. This season, the Flyers have set a standard, that when they see an opponent's skull they must smash it with a stick, or an elbow, or thrust said cranium into the boards. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS! No need to answer, because I know. You are from Philadelphia. Last night, Flyer's forward Scott Hartnell hit Andrew Alberts face first into the boards (eerily similar to the way Jones hit Bergeron last month). Hartnell recieved a game misconduct (which will surely be followed by a suspension of some sort today or tomorrow) and Alberts left the game with a head injury (deemed unspecified....huh?). In any case, the Boston Bruins while they didn't out muscle the Flyers, they did outplay them. The Bruins won 6-3 on a two goal evening from Glen Murray, and rookie goaltender Tuuka Rask won his second game in as many starts. The Dallas Stars have been unstoppable since they relieved Doug Armstrong of the GM duties. Last night, the Stars defeated the New York Islanders 3-2 in overtime on a game winner by Mike Modano, his second of the game. The Stars have now won 6 in a row, and are at the top of the Pacific Division.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh