Unfortunately, our fears were provided yesterday afternoon.

Alexei Yashin is out 2-4 weeks with a bruised knee, as a result of a hit with Matt Bradley of the Caps on Saturday night.  That should put him out until Christmas.  Now we will wish for a real good present under our tree, menorah, and Festivus pole this year.

Now onto the Pens tonight.  It looks like Sid the Kid will be back in the lineup after missing a few games with a groin strain.  The team has missed his 1.5 pts/game average and I am sure will be looking for blood after being pasted by the Isles on Thanksgiving Friday. 

It looks like Brendan Witt will be public enemy number 1 to the Pens.  His big (but clean) hit on Malkin knocked him out late in period 3.  Look for the Penguin tough guys to go after #32.

Eric Boguniecki was recalled from Binghamton of the AHL and will be on the fourth line tonight.  Viktor Kozlov will move up to the first line.  Hopefully, his skills as a Center and possessing the similar puck handling skills of Yash will fold in nicely with Jason Blake.  Arron Asham will take Kozlov’s spot on the 3rd line.  Asham has played inspired hockey of late, and deserves the promotion.

Boguniecki will get some time, as Nolan is rolling all four lines effectively.

The Isles need to keep all their lines flowing as effectively as they did in the last 3 games.  A win tonight would give them SOLE POSSESSION of FIRST PLACE in the Atlantic Division. 

Tell me honestly would any Islander fan EVER BELIEVE that we could actually say THAT?  Wow!