Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Chara to return Thursday? No Crosby on Thursday or Saturday; Pominville and Vanek get off against Tampa; Khabibulin shuts out Washington; Valabik debuts; Toronto signs Reimer; and more...

THE RETURN OF BIG Z? 
By now, the Boston Bruins have to be tired of being asked about their 0-6-0 record against the Montreal Canadiens this season.

They have a chance at partial redemption with back-to-back games against their archrivals to close out this week: Thursday night at home and then Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The B's could get a huge boost (literally) on Thursday with the expected return of captain Zdeno Chara. The 6-9 Slovak has missed the Bruins' last five games due to a chest injury that the club is describing as an "upper-body" ailment.

To their credit, the Bruins have gone 1-2-2 during Chara's absence. However, Boston needs to start piling up victories again in a hurry, since they are only one point ahead of Philadelphia (the No. 8 seed in the East), only two up on Buffalo (the ninth-place club) and three ahead of Washington (10th place). Chara's return may also place him back in contention for the Norris trophy--awarded annually to the NHL's top defenseman. There are those that would suggest he's also a Hart (MVP) candidate this season. Either way, the 31-year-old blueliner needs to step up for his team in the next two contests. The Bruins desperately need to get the monkey off their back against Montreal, and at the same time keep the Sabres, Capitals and others at bay.

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STILL NO SID 
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (high ankle sprain) has been ruled out of Saturday's home game against the New Jersey Devils. He was already expected to miss Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. INTEL: It appears the Pens want to make absolutely sure that "Sid the Kid" won't suffer anymore setbacks before reinserting him into the lineup.

POMINVILLE POPULATED 
Buffalo Sabres winger Jason Pominville registered two goals and two assists in Wednesday's 7-4 home victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Pominville also finished the contest with a plus-4 rating.

THOMAS TRICK 
Buffalo Sabres winger Thomas Vanek registered a natural hat trick in the third period of Wednesday's home victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He now has 31 goals on the year.

BROKEN FOOT FOR JJ 
Los Angeles Kings rookie defenseman Jack Johnson suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right foot on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. As a result, he'll miss the rest of the regular season INTEL: More importantly, the injury probably kills any chance Johnson had of suiting up for Team U.S.A. at the 2008 IIHF World Championships.

'BULIN WALL BACK UP 
In his first start since missing 12 games because of a back injury, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 25 Washington Capitals shots to earn his second shutout of the season on Wednesday night.

RAMO RAMMED 
Tampa Bay Lightning backup goaltender Karri Ramo started Wednesday night's road contest at Buffalo, and took the loss. He surrendered a 4-1 third-period lead and allowed a total of six goals on 31 shots. INTEL: The Finnish rookie has been typically inconsistent this season, but unfortunately he's not finishing up well. Look for Mike Smith to get the call at Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

ELIAS OUT AGAIN 
New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias missed Wednesday night's home shootout loss to the New York Rangers because of the flu. Elias is also currently battling a knee problem. INTEL: Look for Elias to center the top line between Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner on Friday night when the Devils host the New York Islanders.

NO PANIC FOR YANIC 
Veteran Chicago Blackhawks forward Yanic Perreault returned to the lineup on Wednesday at home against the Washington Capitals. He last appeared in a game on February 10 due to a wrist injury INTEL: Perreault, one of the top face-off men in the game, played left wing with Robert Lang and Jason Williams against the Caps and scored a goal.

VINNY SHINES 
Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier scored two goals and added an assist in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. INTEL: The Bolts' franchise center now needs just one more goal to secure back-to-back seasons with 40-plus markers.

JENSEN'S FIRST 
Carolina Hurricanes journeyman forward Joe Jensen registered his first National Hockey League goal in Wednesday's 5-3 road win at Atlanta. INTEL: The 25-year-old is the latest in a long line of Carolina success stories this season, joining the likes of Sergei Samsonov, Joe Corvo, Keith Aucoin, Ryan Bayda and Tim Conboy. The 'Canes are getting production from just about everywhere these days.

STUMPY BACK? 
Florida Panthers veteran forward Jozef Stumpel may return to the lineup on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. INTEL: The 35-year-old Slovak has missed 28 of the team's last 30 contests. He's expected to skate on the fourth line in his first game back.

FOSTER INJURED 
Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster was taken off the ice on a stretcher in the second period of Wednesday's road game against the San Jose Sharks. INTEL: Foster was checked into the boards by Torrey Mitchell. It's suspected that Foster suffered a serious leg injury.

VALABIK DEBUTS 
Slovakian defenseman Boris Valabik made his NHL debut for the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. INTEL: Valabik, selected 10th overall in 2004, saw 17:55 of ice time and registered a minus-2 rating in his first game.

MODIN RETURNS 
Columbus Blue Jackets veteran winger Fredrik Modin returned to the lineup on Wednesday night at Detroit, after missing one game due to the flu.

TURNING A NEW LEAF 
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender James Reimer to an entry-level contract on Wednesday. INTEL: The 20-year-old was selected 99th overall in 2006. He's played three seasons with the WHL's Red Deer Rebels. Expect him to play either in the ECHL or AHL next season.

BROWN OFF IR 
San Jose Sharks defensive forward Curtis Brown has officially been taken off injured reserve, and he returned to action Wednesday night against Minnesota. He missed 25 games because of a hand injury.

RANGER LEAVES EARLY 
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger left Wednesday's contest in the third period with an apparent left arm injury. He did not return. INTEL: He could be out for a while, since the injury appeared to be of a serious nature.