Hello from Crosby Country

COLE HARBOUR, Nova Scotia -- The first group has concluded practice at Cole Harbour Place and last night's lineup is on the ice.

Tuukka Rask will start in goal tonight in Moncton, New Brunswick, against the Islanders. Kevin Regan will be the No. 2 goalie, but Claude Julien hadn't decided whether Rask would play the entire game.

Zdeno Chara (shoulder) and Shane Hnidy (knee) will not play for the second straight game. Chuck Kobasew, Martin St. Pierre, and Tim Thomas are the other veterans who will not have seen preseason action after tonight's match.

* Julien had good things to say about Blake Wheeler, who played in all situations last night while skating on the No. 2 line alongside P.J. Axelsson and David Krejci. "He's a big power forward that has skill and good speed for his size," Julien said. "It's something we've been looking for as far as building our team -- big, powerful guys who can keep up with the game. He showed that last night. He's capable of making some good plays. On the goal that [Vladimir] Sobotka scored, he made a great pass."

* While Wheeler served notice last night, another power forward who's looking to make a statement tonight is Matt Marquardt. The left wing has been what Julien termed a "pleasant surprise," showcasing his size and big-time shot. Julien acknowledged Marquardt must work on his skating and get quicker feet, but he was pleased with the progress he's made since July's development camp.

* There was approval all around in the dressing room this morning about Shawn Thornton's beatdown of Steve Begin. Earlier in the third period, Ryan Flinn had gotten the best of Jeremy Reich, while Begin had cracked Marc Savard in the back last year. "It was a good response," said Milan Lucic. "It was recognized."

Tonight's expected lineup: