Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will be out for an extended period after he was injured in Friday night's 3-1 loss to the Capitals. Ehrhoff left the game after a fight with Washington's Troy Brouwer late in the first period and did not return. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said Ehrhoff was going to "miss some time ... probably weeks." Ruff did not disclose Ehrhoff's injury.

Former NHL coach Scotty Bowman is among 66 notables to receive the Order of Canada. The honor recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Considered one of hockey's greatest coaches, Bowman won a record nine Stanley Cups behind the benches of the Canadiens, Penguins and Red Wings.

Eric Lindros, who played for both the Flyers and Rangers, battled several concussions throughout his career and considers himself fortunate that he has not been saddled with any serious long-term issues. "I feel pretty lucky based on my [history] and a bunch of guys going through some tough times," he said. "I feel quite lucky and very healthy." Former Rangers linemates Darren Turcotte and Paul Broten acknowledged the change in culture regarding head injuries, incidents that are becoming all too common among some of the league's brightest stars. "Obviously, times have changed," said Broten, who played for the Rangers from 1989 to 1993. "Now they're really concentrating on them a lot more. Back in the day it was more just, 'Take a couple minutes. You just got your bell rung and you'll be fine.' Now they're looking into it more seriously and they should. I think it's a good thing, with all the deaths of a lot of the fighters and some of the players who aren't playing. It's obvious it's a serious question."

Daniel Alfredsson was mobbed by his teammates and received a standing ovation from Ottawa's fans after he delivered an unforgettable 400th career goal. Alfredsson reached the milestone at 3:31 of overtime to cap Ottawa's come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Flames on Friday night. "To be able to do this at home and in overtime, when everybody's still in the building and being a big goal for us, it's almost too good to be true," said the 39-year-old Swedish right wing.

San Jose police are investigating a 16-year-old girl's claim that she was assaulted during a Sharks game at HP Pavilion while wearing the opposing team's jersey. Maggie Herger told the San Jose Mercury News that a drunken Sharks fan hit her on the head in the second period during Wednesday's game between the Sharks and Canucks. Herger said she suffered a concussion and was taken away in an ambulance, at which point a passing Sharks fan shouted for her to "suck it up." "I just wanted to cry," Herger said Thursday. "Who does that?" But according to the Sharks, the accused fan, a middle-aged woman, told police and arena staff the contact was accidental and occurred during the celebration of a Sharks goal.

The Rangers have waived controversial winger Sean Avery for the second time this season. Avery, 31, who was waived in October during the preseason, has been a scratch for nine straight games. He has three goals in 15 games this season, but averaged only 7 minutes, 1 second in ice time before his most recent exile. Avery is expected to clear waivers, as he did the first time.

Dany Heatley scored his third goal in four games to help the Wild snap out of their eight-game losing skid and beat the Oilers 4-3 on Thursday night. "At some point, enough is enough," Niklas Backstrom said. Mikko Koivu, Jarod Palmer and Pierre-Marc Bouchard also scored for the Wild, who went 0-5-3 following a seven-game winning streak.

Stars captain Brenden Morrow was hit in the left knee by a puck in the second period of Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets and exited the game early. He attempted to return for the third period, but after one shift he said he didn't have any strength in the knee and was finished for the night. That's the same knee that Morrow had problems with in the preseason, when he tweaked it against the Canadiens and missed most of training camp.

The Blackhawks will get one player back from injury while another will make his NHL debut when they host the Red Wings on Friday night at the United Center. Daniel Carcillo is ready to play after missing the last six games with a concussion. "It's exciting to get back in the lineup, especially against Detroit," Carcillo said. "I'm going to have to be on my game and focused. We all are. We have to bounce back from last game. It will be a good test." Chicago winger Jimmy Hayes will make his NHL debut after being recalled from the AHL on Thursday. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Hayes was a 2010 draft day acquisition via trade with the Maple Leafs. "It's a dream come true," Hayes said. "It's what I worked for my whole life. That was a great phone call to get. It's great to get thrown right into the fire. It's a big game, Detroit-Chicago. Hopefully I can just go out there and execute and play my best." Hayes will play on the fourth line with Jamal Mayers and Andrew Brunette.

Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen, who has missed the last 12 games with a lower body injury, was activated off injured reserve on Wednesday. He will be between the pipes against the Blue Jackets on Thursday. "(Lehtonen) is ready to go. He'll get the start (Thursday) and I think it's the right time to do all this and he's ready," coach Glen Gulutzan said. To make room on the roster, defenseman Stephane Robidas was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 19.