Blue Notes

Sunrise----Sam Rosen's cell phone rang as a few interested observers watched the optional morning skate at BankAtlantic Center.

"My favorite quarterback," Rosen exclaimed.

On the line was Bernie Kosar, who once owned a little piece of the Panthers, but who wouldn't be in town for the game.

Too bad.

Maybe he could have dressed for the Rangers.

Henrik Lundqvist, one of the five players skating, said afterward that he wasn't over the effects of the flu that kayoed him for the Islanders game. The Ailing King reported feeling "heavy" and had "no energy. It took me a long time to get going. It feels like I'm going to have to work hard to get back. So Kevin is going to play."

Marek Malik, after about 15 minutes of testing his sore groin with turns and shots, joked as he came over for a sip of water. "Good year," he said, as if it were vintage Cabernet.

The big defenseman joked that he was "sore because my strides are too powerful. I've got to take it easier." Later in the dressing room, he said he made some adjustments: "Top secret, I can't tell you. Now it's not bad, a little bit better," but he still wasn't ready to play tonight.

Throw in Michael Nylander, suffering some type of ear infection, who didn't make the flight with the team and Matt Cullen, who didn't skate on his sprained knee and stayed at the hotel to work out with the rest of the team, and you've got some MIAs.

So, expect all healthy hands on deck tonight, including Brad Isbister, wearing No. 15, who seems determined to stick.

"I didn't feel I was going to get a chance in Carolina," said Isbister, "so I was happy about the trade." Isbister, 29, came here Nov. 21 from the Hurricanes' minor-league team in exchange for Jacob Petruzalek and a pick and was assigned directly to Hartford.

The former Islander left wing, who caught the plane down here with his new mates yesterday, said he would have enjoyed playing against the Islanders on Tuesday. "It wasn't all that long ago when I was on Long Island," he said, "although it seems like that, so playing in any NHL game is going to be great. You learn to appreciate the NHL---not that I ever took it for granted when I was here, you always want to play at the top level. But the first half of this season is something I'd like to forget. I hope to make an impression tonight. I'm excited and I'm sure I'll be nervous," said isbister, who's also made stops in Boston, Phoenix and Edmonton. "It'd be nice to put roots down."

Well, there's an opportunity. At least tonight.