Is it too late to call up Mitch Fritz? The Ducks are, per usual, near the top (bottom?) of the league for PIM/game, just behind Philadelphia (#2) and Vancouver (#1). They like them some old-time hockey, eh -- a remnant of the Brian Burke Era. Let's hope Tim Jackman puts on the foil, because his teammates are going to be pushed around a bit. Witter may be called to duty in this one, too: I suppose that's a system he can get behind.
Anaheim Ducks (23-20-5, 7th/West) at New York Islanders (12-29-5, 30th)
7 p.m. EST | Nassau [gloriously unsponsored] Vets' Memorial Coliseum | MSG+2
Duck blog of choice (follow their blogroll for more): Battle of California
Garth Snow passed on claiming Dany Sabourin today, which is just as well. Pittsburgh dumped Sabourin for a reason, and no point adding someone who lacks both our confidence and our nostalgia. We now get to see what Yann Danis can do, until the Islanders' goalie injury curse befalls him.
Speaking of injuries, Greg Logan has a thorough round-up of the Rick DiPietro saga this season, from summer surgery and Scott Gordon's thinking then, to what went into DP's final road trip out West, where he finally cried "Uncle." It's the definitive wrap-up of how we got here, and it also includes Gordon's frank thoughts on Danis.
Tomorrow, I'll dust off my Caribbean online medical degree and ponder what the future holds for our 27-year-old patient. For now, it's the last game before the All-Star break: enjoy a little game thread if you dare.