For the first time in more than five years, Henrik Lundqvist won't be in net for the Rangers against the Devils. Backup Martin Biron will get the start for the Rangers against Martin Brodeur on Tuesday night at Prudential Center, snapping a string of 32 consecutive starts by Lundqvist against their rivals that dates to Dec. 17, 2006.

The Flyers begin their march toward the playoffs in earnest Tuesday night against the Jets, and they'll have one of their top players back from injury. Jaromir Jagr, who missed the Flyers' past two games because of a groin injury, will return to the Philadelphia lineup. "It's always good to get guys back on the ice," coach Peter Laviolette said.

Despite being at the center of a controversy after he snubbed the Bruins' visit of the White House, Tim Thomas remains and will remain a member of the team. "Not trading him," Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said in an email to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun. "I have not talked to anyone and I don't plan to."

An insider told QMI Agency that Leafs GM Brian Burke is tired of Don Cherry criticizing his team, and he is contemplating asking for a meeting with CBC brass to complain. "He is furious at the comment Cherry made about head coach Ron Wilson not applauding for the troops and for other things too," said an insider. "He is fiercely loyal to his guys."

Price is not holding up the sale of the Coyotes, and it's premature to discuss a Plan B for the franchise's future, according to commissioner Gary Bettman. Speaking after the Board of Governors meeting on Saturday during the All-Star weekend in Ottawa, Bettman remained hopeful a deal can be reached with one of three prospective buyers to keep the league-controlled Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz.

Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, who has become something of a lightning rod lately, weighed in Friday on his beliefs that the government is "out of control." Thomas, who's drawn criticism for choosing not to attend the White House ceremony honoring the reigning Stanley Cup champion team, reiterated that he believes his decision has been blown out of proportion.

Although Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr will meet next week, both sides say it does not signal the beginning of collective bargaining. With fans anxiously hoping next season won't be in jeopardy, the kickoff of formal CBA talks still has no agreed start date.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says there are three groups showing "serious" interest in buying the Coyotes with the intention of keeping the team in Glendale, Ariz. Without going into detail, Bettman revealed there was a third group during his weekly radio show broadcast from Ottawa, where the league's All-Star Game is being held this weekend.

Wayne Gretzky is impressed by the Blackhawks' ability to regroup so quickly after decimating their championship team in 2010 due to salary cap constraints. "They're a very good team," Gretzky said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I think they fell under the new rules category so to speak. They had to make some tough decisions after they won the Stanley Cup that would benefit the organization for years to come. With good solid management and a tremendous coach they were able to, in one year, really restructure their organization to fit under the salary cap and yet still have some great, young talent."

The governor of Massachusetts says a Bruins goalie’s decision to skip a White House ceremony with President Obama honoring the Stanley Cup champions points to the country’s growing loss of “basic courtesy and grace.” Tim Thomas has said he skipped Monday’s event because the government was “out of control,” but he blamed both parties. Gov. Deval Patrick was asked about the snub Thursday during his monthly program on WTKK-FM. He didn’t directly criticize Thomas, but suggested the snub showed disrespect toward the presidency.