from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

- Welcome news for the Detroit Red Wings: Centre Pavel Datsyuk is scheduled to return to the lineup Tuesday for the second of back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers. The Red Wings lost the first to Florida, which left them with just five home victories in their first 17 appearances at Joe Louis Arena, with six losses coming in regulation and six others in overtime. Datysuk has missed seven games with a concussion. With Henrik Zetterberg sidelined at least two weeks with a herniated disc in his back, the Red Wings need all the offence they can get. They’re still waiting for a meaningful contribution from the ex-Panther, Stephen Weiss, brought in as a free agent to provide offence and stuck with just four points in 25 games. The fit just looks awful right now

- Anaheim went on the road and won two big games back-to-back against Central Division powers Chicago and St. Louis. Ryan Getzlaf continues to produce goals at a record pace and defenceman Francois Beauchemin, out for the past eight games with an upper body injury, is about a week away from returning.

- The Islanders play the Ducks Monday and with every successive loss – it’s eight in a row after a 3-0 blanking by the Kings Saturday – the pressure mounts on coach Jack Capuano. The Islanders have won just four of 19 since general manager Garth Snow sacrificed first- and second-round picks along with Matt Moulson to rent Thomas Vanek for the rest of the season. If Capuano doesn’t survive, the candidates to replace him reportedly include former Flyers’ coach Peter Laviolette (who previously coached the Islanders a decade ago) and former Leafs’ coach Paul Maurice, currently between gigs after coaching in Russia last season.

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Duhatschek also writes about Jarome Iginla returning to Calgary,

Even if it is the holiday season, and he is going home for the holidays in a way, Jarome Iginla will tell you: He isn’t an overly sentimental sort.

As a result, he likely won’t be shedding tears on Tuesday night when the popular former member of the Flames makes his much anticipated return to Calgary as a member of the Boston Bruins. “Although,” says Iginla, with his familiar laugh echoing over the long-distance telephone line, “I guess you never know.”

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