Race to the Sin Bin (Mar 4)

Fresh off a 20-minute performance in Philadelphia last night, Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian will continue his penalty dynamo ways against the Columbus Blue Jackets, trying to aid Derek & Dan in their quest for PIM pool dominance.

Derek & Dan were almost thought to have been left in Wes' dust after last week, but hope was renewed last night, thanks to Kassian, who now has 72 PIM in only 20 games with the Oilers, since being acquired from the Habs earlier this year.

Kassian will go up against a couple of decent PIM players for the Jackets tonight, in Scott Hartnell (Dale B.) and Boone Jenner (Stuart), so there is some reasonable hope, if he's still in a bad mood, that he'll find a dance partner again tonight.

Wes, on the other hand, has suffered a couple of major setbacks, as Zac Rinaldo was sent to the minors on deadline day and then the Flyers forward was suspended for five games, which he will have to serve, upon his return to the big leagues.  On top of that, he suffered a major injury, as Mark Borowiecki will be out indefinitely with a knee injury.  Both were just getting their feet wet on his team.

Now Wes' lead is down to 12 minutes and he has only one big gun going in tonight's action, as Jordin Tootoo should dress for the New Jersey Devils, when they visit the Dallas Stars tonight.  The Stars are adequately suited to handle a guy like Tootoo, having both Antoine Roussel (Dale B.) and Jason Demers (Brenda & Seward) in their lineup, both with over 72 minutes this year.

Dale B.'s big guns tonight may still give him an outside chance in these last 5+ weeks of action in the regular season, as his team is 61 minutes back of Wes' team and a couple solid nights of fisticuffs could help his team's cause.

The biggest goon going tonight is Tom Wilson of the Capitals, as  John R. tries his best to climb into the top five in the PIM pool standings.  Wilson has been good for 21 PIM in 12 games since being activated in Week Nineteen, but John's team is still in 10th in the race, 46 minutes back of 5th place.