Buffalo, NY (WGR 550)  -- After this morning's skate Lindy Ruff and Pat Kaleta went upstairs for a conference call with the NHL. The RW got two games for yesterday's hit on Philadelphia's Jared Ross which put Ross out of the game. Kaleta hit Ross with his back turned and drove his head into the glass. Kaleta got a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct. Ross never returned. Kaleta will lose $5,414.50.

Craig Rivet skated this morning after crashing into the boards last night. Ruff said, "The good news on him is he isn't as bad as first indications looked like." He won't quite be ready for tonight against Carolina. 

Paul Guastad left last night's game with a knee injury and will miss a few weeks. Ruff said, "Paul looks like early indications will be in the couple week range."Gaustad has put up six goals in 20 games which would have him on a pace for 25 this season. He's been a force in front of the net and is enjoying his best season. His head coach agrees, "I think so, there's been some game where his will has been something that has outshone the other players. From a physical front, just taking the faceoff reigns and running with it, pushing the other centermen to be better which has been a big part of our game." Gaustad is second in the NHL in faceoff percentage at 63.6 percent. Zenon Konopka of Tampa Bay leads at 64.5 percent. Drew Stafford has won 11 of the 15 faceoffs he's taken this season. He did well last night in Philadelphia as Tim Connolly elected not to take draws. Connolly is only 41.7 percent. Ruff said, "Drew Stafford stepped in and had a surprising night on draws which is good. Clarke MacArthur, same thing." As far as Connolly electing not to take draws Ruff said, "Sometimes he feels a left hander is better (Connolly shoots right). He's not hurt, I just think that's his decision sometimes and I've told him, I'm OK with that. If you think you can put somebody in there that will win the draw, then he's got to assume your responsibility in the 'D' zone short term."

All this will put Andrej Sekera and Matt Ellis in the line up. Nathan Paetsch will play for Kaleta.

Ryan Miller will be in net.

Join Brian Koziol at 6:00 for the pregame when he'll be joined by Ruff, Tim Kennedy and Chris Butler.