Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Do-or-die time for Khabibulin and the 'Hawks; Williams returns...and then gets hurt again; LaVallee scores his first NHL goal; Sundin sits out; Whitney returns for Carolina; Nolan plays the spoiler role; and more...

BLACKHAWKS DOWN 
The Chicago Blackhawks face elimination when they host the archrival Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.

Blackhawks head coach Denis Savard is expected to lean on Russian veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin for his team's most important game of 2007-08. Khabibulin is one of the few members of this year's 'Hawks that boasts extensive playoff experience--including a Stanley Cup ring while a member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, the 'Bulin Wall' hasn't seen an NHL postseason game since then. Chicago is currently five points behind the eighth-place Nashville Predators for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The 35-year-old netminder has endured a trying campaign in '07-08, including back and knee injuries that caused him to miss a total of 15 games. Still, his overall numbers are decent (22-19-6, 2 SO, 2.62 GAA, .909 Sv%) for a team that relies heavily on their wide-open style of play. Khabibulin has won his last two games and is 4-1-1 in his last six starts. He's been the subject of a host of trade rumors since last year, so a strong performance against the Wings on Wednesday can only help Khabibulin's stock going forward.

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JUSTIN TROUBLE AGAIN 
Carolina Hurricanes winger Justin Williams, who returned to the lineup on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals after missing 43 games recovering from a torn ACL, left the contest early because of an apparent torso injury. INTEL: Here we go again. The 'Canes have now been caught by the Caps in the Southeast Division standings, so they are suddenly in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Injuries are the main reason, as they've been among the unluckiest teams in the NHL this season. Losing Williams again would hurt team morale.

BIG MAC ATTACK 
New York Islanders netminder Joey MacDonald, who was recalled from the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers earlier in the day, stopped 45 of 47 New Jersey Devils shots on Tuesday night in a 2-1 overtime loss. INTEL: MacDonald and Wade Dubielewicz will now share the load for the rest of the week, as the Isles assigned Mike Mole back to Bridgeport on Tuesday.

JORDAN FOR TWO 
Atlanta Thrashers rookie winger Jordan LaVallee registered his first NHL goal and assist in Tuesday night's 3-2 loss against the Florida Panthers. INTEL: The 21-year-old is considered somewhat of a project for the Thrashers, but his late-season audition may lead to a roster spot next October. Keep an eye on him.

SUNDIN SITS OUT 
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin sat out Tuesday's home game against the Buffalo Sabres due to a recurring groin injury. In fact, Sundin may have played his last game of the season. INTEL: Since he's contemplating retirement, has Sundin played his last NHL game? Don't bet on it, as the Leafs have already begun discussing with the captain his possible return to the club next year.

RAY OF HOPE 
The Carolina Hurricanes welcomed back veteran winger Ray Whitney to the lineup for Tuesday's important contest against the Washington Capitals. INTEL: Whitney missed 12 games after undergoing ankle surgery. He was held pointless with three shots on goal and four penalty minutes in 13:21 of ice time against the Caps.

STAR-CROSSED 
Edmonton Oilers winger Curtis Glencross scored two goals in a losing cause against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. INTEL: The 25-year-old has produced nine of his 15 goals this season in an Oilers uniform, after coming over from Columbus in exchange for defenseman Dick Tarnstrom. Glencross may be playing his way into Edmonton's 2008-09 plans.

ROBERTS READY? 
Pittsburgh Penguins veteran winger Gary Roberts could make his return to the lineup on Sunday in the final regular-season game against the Philadelphia Flyers. INTEL: Roberts broke his leg on December 29 and hasn't played since. He would likely play a third-line role next to Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy in the playoffs if healthy.

RAYCROFT SIGHTING 
Toronto Maple Leafs backup netminder Andrew Raycroft made his first appearance since February 5 when he suited up against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. INTEL: Raycroft stopped 38 of 41 Sabres shots in a 4-3 shootout loss.

UMBERGER BACK WEDNESDAY 
Philadelphia Flyers forward R.J. Umberger, who has missed the team's last six games because of a sprained knee, is expected to return to action Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PEVERLEY PLAYS HERO 
Nashville Predators rookie forward Rich Peverley scored the overtime goal on Tuesday night at St. Louis in an important 4-3 victory. INTEL: Peverley also added an assist and registered a plus-3 rating in just 12:46 of ice time. He's been replacing injured pivot David Legwand (bruised foot) recently.

DAN DOWN 
The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned rookie goaltender Dan LaCosta back to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch on Tuesday. INTEL: With Pascal Leclaire (head) expected back for Thursday's road contest at Detroit, the Jackets have elected to return LaCosta to the farm for more playing time.

ALBERTS TO RETURN 
Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Alberts is expected back in the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. INTEL: Alberts has been out of the lineup since December 15 because of concussion-like symptoms. With Alberts due back in action, the Bruins assigned Matt Lashoff back to the AHL's Providence Bruins.

OWEN ON TIME 
Calgary Flames winger Owen Nolan scored his first goal in 22 games against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. INTEL: The goal wound up being the game winner, as the Flames eliminated the Oil from playoff contention. Nolan's previous marker was registered on February 15.

UNLUCKY LUKE 
Kelowna Rockets (WHL) defenseman Luke Schenn's 2007-08 season ended on Tuesday night, after the Rockets lost Game 7 of their first-round match-up against the Seattle Thunderbirds. INTEL: Schenn is one of the top blueliners available for this June's draft, but he won't get any more opportunities to improve his stock this spring.