Old friend Patrick Lalime finds himself on the spot in Buffalo, thanks (or no thanks) to Ryan Miller’s ankle injury. The former Blues goaltender may have to hold the fort for several weeks as the Sabres battle on for a playoff berth.

If Miller’s injury proves to be severe, then exiled Blues goaltender Manny Legace could also come in play. His sturdy work at Peoria may convince Sabres to put a claim on him.

(By the way, Legace is getting high marks in Peoria for the way he is conducting himself during this demotion to the AHL.)

Meanwhile, the Sabres-Rangers rivalry heated up. The Buffalo News tells us that Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is most unhappy with Rangers center Gomez — who spilled Miller during a collision behind the Buffalo net.

“I don’t think there’s any secret it was deliberate,” Ruff said. “He knew what he was doing.”

The News went to the mild-mannered Gomez and got this response:

“I lost an edge, and we ran into each other. If it was that bad, I think a penalty is going to be called. As long as I’ve been in the league, I don’t think I have a reputation of going after goalies.”

Besides, Gomez and Miller are potential teammates for the U.S. Olympic team next year.

“The last guy I’m going to go after is the Team USA goaltender,” Gomez told the News. “It’s not me. Hey, that’s his opinion. He’s entitled to one, but it’s too bad because he’s someone in this league I definitely respect as a coach.”

THE COYOTES’ HOWL

For the first time in a month, the Coyotes won back-to-back games. That raises the stake for the Blues, who have big games against the Desert Dogs this week.

Phoenix had won just one of their previous 10 games before winning the last two.

The chase gets more difficult all the time, as the Blues saw again Saturday while getting outpointed 2-1 by the Predators.

THE LAME RANGERS

The listless Rangers have won just of their last 11 games. And they are absolutely helpless on the road: 0-7-1 in their last eight, with eight goals for and 31 goals against.

No wonder that franchise is in the middle of a LOT of trade rumors. As Blues fans saw for themselves at Scottrade, this team needs more than a Sean Avery Comeback to get back on  track toward the playoffs.

After starting the season 10-2-1, they have played .500 hockey (21-21-5) since then.

The intrepid Larry Brooks of the New York Post offered a harsh assessment of where the team stands.

WEIRD WEEK IN MONTREAL

Kevin Paul Dupont summed up the scenario is his always-excellent Sunday notes column. Sounds like Bob Gainey is having lots of fun.

By the way, Montreal fans received Alexei Kovalev warmly when he returned to the Canadiens lineup after a two-game banishment. He responded by playing a dynamic game.

Problem solved? Probably not, but Kovalev could boost his trade value by playing this way during the next two weeks. The Ottawa Sun suggests that Columbus could win the Kovalev Derby. A Montreal radio station assured listening that Pittsburgh was the likely destination.

Stay tuned . . .

TRADE-O-RAMA?

HockeyBuzz.com is floating multiple trade rumors, as per usual. But today the relentless Eklund is adamant that major deals are ready to go down.

You know the Rangers and Canadiens are looking to make changes. The Penguins, still scrambling for a playoff berth, are also prowling. After watching their power play sputter Sunday on NBC, it’s to see why that team is looking to change up its front-line chemistry.

Always, Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier are front and center in the chit-chat.

The Ottawa Sun trumpeted possible trades involving power forward Ryan Smyth and Erik Cole. They could add muscle the Canadiens and Penguins respectively.

Keith Tkachuk could be the subject of more speculation, especially if the Blues fans to close the gap on eighth place.

Hockey Guy chatted with TSN’s Darren Dreger on “The Sports Edge” on KFNS last week. Here is his top 10 list of potential trade targets.

Would the Ducks really deal one of their all-star defensemen? That depends on which direction the team goes the next two weeks.

THE VALUE OF DRAFT PICKS

The Blues may get a chance to add draft picks at the trade deadline, as the team has in recent years. In recent years, the team has done a better job at the top of drafts — getting potential stars Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie, David Perron and Erik Johnson.

Here is an interesting analysis of what high picks have historically yielded in the NHL.

AROUND THE RINKS: Rangers forward Chris Drury has gone 14 games without scoring a goal. Sadly, this gritty competitor ranks as one of the most overpaid players in the game . . . The Rivermen were glad to see Tyson Strachan back in Peoria. With Jay McKee out of the doghouse, the Blues are set on defense and the team doesn’t want Strachan sitting around . . . The Panthers have complicated the Eastern Conference playoff race by going 14-5-3 during the New Year. That’s good news for Old Friend Jacques Martin, who is working to keep his general manager gig in South Florida . . . Teppo Numminen is a respected leader for the Sabres, but that didn’t stop Ruff from scratching him from the lineup Saturday so that rookie Chris Butler could play again. Henrik Tallinder’s return after a 12-game injury absence created the crowd . . . The New York Post shot down rumors that the Lightning would be willing to move Martin St. Louis and/or Lecavallier. Of course, that is always subject to change. The collapse of the Lightning is one of the most compelling stories of this season . . . Olli Jokinen hadn’t scored in a month, so his hat trick Saturday ought to help his trade value . . . The Ottawa Sun proposed a minor deal to send defenseman Christoph Schubert to Edmonton for Ladislav Smid.