1.   Even a new contract for injured defenseman Darius Kasparaitis.

2.   Injured defenseman Al Iafrate met with Bruins physician Bert Zarins Tuesday and is expected to make a decision shortly regarding surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

3.   Now, Hitchcock is hoping for the return of his injured defensemen and also is looking to provide more rest for his healthy players.

4.   The Islanders, therefore, have a number of options concerning Redden, who would figure to see significant playing time until some of the injured defensemen return.

5.   The Stars miss Derian Hatcher, the injured defenseman.

6.   They will get Keith Primeau back from a back injury but are without injured defenseman Sean Hill.

7.   What Johnston misses most, however, is his injured defenseman Ulf Samuelsson.

8.   He replaces injured St. Louis Blues defenseman Al MacInnis.

9.   Robert Kron, Kebin Dineen and Andrei Nikolishin scored for Hartford, which was without injured defenseman Paul Coffey for a third straight game.

10.   Robinson said he does not know if injured defenseman Scott Niedermayer will play Friday.