Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Crosby and Malkin vs. Ovechkin; Lidstrom may play on Sunday; Forsberg gets on the score sheet; Zajac heads to right wing; Grabovski bails on the Habs; McCarty gets the call back to Motown; and more...

MINUS ONE 
Three of the biggest stars in the NHL will be in the national spotlight on Sunday afternoon.

That's because Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins head to Washington for a date with Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin. Crosby missed the last duel between two of the high-rising teams in the Eastern Conference because of injury. In that contest, Russian stars Ovechkin and Malkin were involved in a heavy collision that led to a confrontation. Washington wound up winning the game in a shootout, and both Ovechkin and Malkin collected two goals and three points apiece.

With three featured attractions, Sunday's game is an almost perfect setting for pre-playoff NHL hockey. So what's missing? A return from injury by the top prize in this year's trading deadline. Penguins winger Marian Hossa, who has played a little more than one period of hockey with his new team since coming over from Atlanta because of a knee injury, will not be in action. Hossa could suit up next to Crosby next Wednesday at home against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite his absence, Sunday's match-up is a much-anticipated affair.

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SAINT NICK 
There's a chance Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom (knee) will return to the lineup on Sunday against the Nashville Predators. INTEL: After losing their first four games without Lidstrom (including one shootout loss), Detroit has won two in a row. Still, they need their best player back as soon as possible.

DAVID DOWN 
Nashville Predators center David Legwand was seen walking with crutches after Friday night's road win at Calgary, and needed X-rays on his foot on Saturday. INTEL: This is not good news for the Preds, who can ill-afford to lose their second-line center right now. Look for Rich Peverley to get called up from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals if need be.

PETER THE GREAT 
Colorado Avalanche legend Peter Forsberg recorded his first points on Saturday against Dallas since returning for his second tour of duty with the organization. INTEL: The Swedish veteran is playing left wing exclusively right now, but coach Joel Quenneville is still trying to find optimum linemates for 'Foppa'.

HECHT BACK IN ACTION 
Buffalo Sabres center Jochen Hecht returned to the lineup on Saturday at Carolina after a seven-game absence due to a groin issue. INTEL: Hecht played between Jason Pominville and either Tim Connolly or Dan Paille. Winger Steve Bernier was a healthy scratch to make room for Hecht's return.

ZAJAC EXPERIMENT 
New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac has played right wing, instead of his usual center position, the last two games against Tampa Bay and Toronto. INTEL: The 22-year-old is behind last year's rookie scoring pace. Veteran Dainius Zubrus is now centering Zajac and Michael Rupp on the Devils' third line.

FALSE ALARM 
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund returned to the lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. He missed one game. INTEL: There were rumors the big Swede could miss the rest of the regular season because of bone chips in his knee, but the ultimate warrior is back in action when his club needs him most.

MAD MIKHAIL 
Montreal Canadiens rookie center Mikhail Grabovski was scratched for the second consecutive game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. INTEL: The Belorussian left the team after learning he'd been scratched for Thursday's game at Phoenix. Look for Grabovski to be with another organization next year.

FOOTE'S HIP 
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote missed Saturday afternoon's game against the Dallas Stars because of a hip injury. He's considered day-to-day. INTEL: The injury allowed fellow blueliner Jordan Leopold to return to action following a one-game banishment to the press box.

WELCOME MATT 
Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Lashoff was recalled from the AHL's Providence Bruins on Saturday, following the team's home win over Washington. INTEL: Lashoff could suit up Sunday against the New York Rangers, since both captain Zdeno Chara and Bobby Allen were banged up against the Capitals.

SMITH SIGNS 
Nashville Predators' 2007 draftee Jeremy Smith signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club earlier this week. INTEL: Smith is considered Nashville's goaltender of the future but is ticketed for one more season in the OHL next season.

ANOTHER PHENOM? 
Windsor Spitfires (OHL) winger Taylor Hall has gone on a scoring binge recently, and is now among the league's top 20 scorers. He's second among rookies. INTEL: Hall isn't even eligible for the NHL draft until 2010, but he's already creating plenty of buzz in the scouting community. This is a guy to file away for future reference.

MAC IS BACK 
Detroit Red Wings winger Darren McCarty was recalled from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday. He's expected to play his first game of 2007-08 Sunday against Nashville. INTEL: McCarty's popularity in Motown knows no bounds. However, his ability to make an impact down the stretch certainly does.