Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Washington's crowded crease; Forsberg sits out again; Montreal loses Komisarek; Foligno sent down; Colaiacovo injured again; Foster has surgery; and more...

CROWDED CREASE 
The Washington Capitals' goaltending situation is not an easy one for rookie coach Bruce Boudreau to massage down the stretch.

On the one hand, the team acquired veteran Cristobal Huet from the Montreal Canadiens at the trading deadline to upgrade the goalkeeping position for the club's playoff push. However, one of the greatest Caps of all time, aging netminder Olaf Kolzig, is still fighting for the right to play. Throw in third stringer Brent Johnson and you have an ill-timed menage a trois. Huet has played very well since coming to D.C., while Kolzig has also been up to the challenge. Johnson has not seen action since Huet was brought in.

Unfortunately, Kolzig struggled in Wednesday night's road loss at Chicago. Therefore, with the Caps just two points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Huet is expected to get the start on Friday night on the road against the Atlanta Thrashers. Furthermore, the Frenchman is now expected to get the nod for as long as Washington remains in the playoff hunt. Looking ahead, only Johnson is under contract beyond this season. So, we may be seeing Kolzig's incredible run with the only franchise he's ever known coming to an end.

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FOPPA FAUX-PAS 
Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg missed Thursday night's road contest against the Calgary Flames because of a groin problem INTEL: The good karma that came with the arrival of 'Foppa' last month has been replaced by symptoms of "oh no, here we go again". At this point, the Avs shouldn't expect too much from the oft-injured superstar.

KOMISAREK INJURED 
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek, one of the NHL leaders in hits and blocked shots, suffered a lower body injury on Thursday night against the Boston Bruins. INTEL: Komisarek will likely miss Saturday's return engagement with Boston at the very least. Veteran Patrice Brisebois may return to action as Komisarek's replacement, or Mark Streit may move back from wing to defense.

STUART OUT 
The Detroit Red Wings will be without veteran defenseman Brad Stuart for the rest of the regular season because of a broken finger. Stuart was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings at the trading deadline.

TWO MORE FOR GENO 
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin registered his 42nd goal of the season, and added an assist, in Thursday's home win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. INTEL: Malkin is now three points behind fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin for the race for the Art Ross trophy (NHL leading scorer).

STASTNY SITS OUT 
Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny missed Thursday night's important divisional game against the Calgary Flames because of flu-like symptoms.

FOLIGNO SENT DOWN 
The Ottawa Senators have assigned forward Nick Foligno back to the AHL's Binghamton Senators. INTEL: Foligno has produced six goals and nine points in 44 games playing mainly fourth-line minutes in Ottawa this season. Expect him to play on the third line in 2008-09.

FRITSCHE FINISHED 
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Dan Fritsche suffered a broken hand in Wednesday night action against Detroit, and is now expected to miss the rest of the season.

THE COLAIACOVO CURSE? 
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a torn groin muscle. INTEL: The oft-injured Colaiacovo was playing very well alongside Ian White on the Leafs' second pairing prior to the injury. He should play regular top-four minutes next season but can he stay healthy? Swede Staffan Kronwall has been recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies to replace Colaiacovo.

PICARD GETS THE CALL 
The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled winger Alexandre Picard from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch under emergency conditions. He replaces Dan Fritsche on the roster. INTEL: Picard, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, needs to start making the most of his opportunities in �the show�. So far, he has been a disappointment.

FOSTER HAS SURGERY 
Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster, who suffered a broken leg against San Jose on Wednesday, underwent surgery on Thursday to correct a displaced fracture in his femur. INTEL: With Foster gone for the rest of the season (and playoffs), expect the Wild to use veterans Sean Hill and Keith Carney--who have been alternating as the No. 6 rearguard--in the lineup simultaneously on most nights.

STAAL SCORES 
Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal scored his 12th goal of the season against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. INTEL: The 19-year-old sophomore recorded 29 markers last year. That said, he's starting to rediscover his lost confidence in the offensive zone. Keep an eye on him in the postseason.

DATS AND Z 
Detroit Red Wings star forward Pavel Datsyuk was reunited with Swedish center Henrik Zetterberg during Thursday night's 6-3 road win at Nashville. INTEL: Datsyuk scored goals No. 29 and 30 in the victory. As much as coach Mike Babcock would love for each to center their own scoring line, Datsyuk and Zetterberg are that much better when together on the same line.

CHRISTENSEN TO SIT 
Atlanta Thrashers center Erik Christensen, who is currently out with a knee injury, is not expected to play for the rest of the regular season. INTEL: Christensen, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Marian Hossa trade at the deadline, will likely compete with rookie Bryan Little for the second-line center role--behind veteran Todd White--with the Thrashers next season.

LUCA FOR THREE 
Pittsburgh Penguins left wing prospect Luca Caputi recorded three assists to lead the OHL's Niagara IceDogs to a 4-0 win over the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff match-up. INTEL: The 20-year-old Caputi is a name to remember for the future, as he has been one of the top scorers in the OHL all season long.

PORTER FOR HOBEY? 
Phoenix Coyotes forward prospect Kevin Porter has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2008 Hobey Baker Memorial Award--given to the top player in the NCAA. INTEL: The University of Michigan's leading scorer is expected to sign with the 'Yotes as soon as the Wolverines' season comes to an end.

BROOKBANK ACTIVATED 
Carolina Hurricanes enforcer Wade Brookbank was activated off injured reserve in time to suit up against the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. INTEL: To make room for him, the 'Canes placed center Matt Cullen (concussion) on IR. Brookbank replaced Joe Jensen (hand) in the lineup against the Cats.