EDMONTON
Games this week
@Dallas, @ Nashville, @ Minnesota, @ Colorado
Notes
Edmonton plays four times this week, twice back-to-back so look for Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk to split the net. They will be the tired team twice this week as Nashville will be rested on Tuesday when the Oilers play there after playing in Dallas on Monday and the same situation arises on Saturday in Colorado where the rested Avalanche will be waiting for a tired Edmonton team who play in Minnesota Friday. Cam Barker will be out of action for three months as he requires ankle surgery. It was thought that Magnus Paajarvi would be a healthy scratch on Thursday but with Sam Gagner out with a bad back, Paajarvi moved to center instead of the press box but only has one assist in 17 games this season. Look for Ryan Whitney to return after Thanksgiving.
FLORIDA
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. New York Rangers, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Tampa Bay
Notes
The Panthers play four times including three games in four nights so expect to see Scott Clemmensen to get at least one start in place of Jose Theodore. They play a home-and-home series with their cross-state rival Florida Panthers after Thanksgiving so do not be surprised if Scottie Upshall and Erik Gudbranson add to their penalty minute totals. Mikael Samuelsson could start practicing by November 18 as he has been out for a month recovering from off-season sports hernia surgery. Tomas Fleischmann has 17 points and is plus-11 in 18 games this season and Kris Versteeg is doing even better with 20 points and a plus-nine rating. Stephen Weiss is also having a great season with six goals and 15 points, a plus-11 rating and 22 penalty minutes.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
@ St. Louis, @ Dallas, vs. Chicago
Notes
The Kings play three games this week and will be a rested team once and a tired team on one occasion as they are tired on Wednesday when they face the Stars in Dallas after playing in St. Louis the night before. They then go home to celebrate Thanksgiving and get Friday off while their Saturday opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks, are in Anaheim Friday. Slava Voynov was recalled after Alec Martinez suffered an upper body injury and was placed on the injured reserve list. Voynov scored a couple of goals the last game he played in the NHL in October and didn’t disappoint with a goal and an assist on Thursday. He is worth picking up in most pools. Dustin Penner is out of action with a swollen hand. He is on the injured reserve list but could be back this week. Andrei Loktionov was recalled to replace Penner. The Kings certainly have depth at Manchester and should not miss a beat with the injuries to Martinez and Penner.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Nashville, vs. Edmonton, vs. Calgary
Notes
Marek Zidlicky, the Wild`s top offensive defenseman, is out of action with a concussion. That puts two Wild blueliners on the shelf as Marco Scandella is also out with a concussion. Niklas Backstrom has been outstanding with a 7-4-2 record to go along with a 1.97 GAA and a .935 save percentage and he’s had to be with backup Josh Harding playing so well and breathing down his neck, with a 4-1-1 mark and a 1.78 GAA with a .948 save percentage. Dany Heatley has been a bit of a disappointment thus far with only five goals and 12 points in 19 games. Matt Cullen has eight goals to lead the Wild.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. Boston, @ Carolina, @ Philadelphia, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
Montreal plays four games this week including three in four nights so look for Peter Budaj to play once instead of Carey Price. Jaroslav Spacek has sat out the last two games with an upper body injury. Hal Gill is out and was hospitalized with a virus, will miss Saturday’s game as well and could miss games this week. P.K. Subban potted his first goal of the season on Wednesday. Andrei Markov finally practiced with the Canadiens for the first time this season Monday but his return to action from a knee injury suffered over a year ago is still unknown.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, @ Minnesota, @ Detroit
Notes
The Predators are rested twice this week when they play tired opponents. On Tuesday, they face Edmonton after the Oilers are in Dallas Monday, while on Saturday they are rested and waiting for the Red Wings in Detroit after the Wings play in Boston on Friday. With Pekka Rinne under contract for the next seven years, the Predators will now try to get defenseman Ryan Suter to sign a long-term deal with the team. Blake Geoffrion has been a disappointment early in the season with only two assists and seven shots on goal in 18 games. Defensemen Jonathon Blum and Kevin Klein are minus-nine and eight respectively while the top pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are plus-18 and plus-15.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Florida, vs. Columbus, @ New York Islanders, vs. New York Islanders
Notes
The Devils play our times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Johan Hedberg to play at least once in place of Martin Brodeur. New Jersey plays a home-and-home series with the Islanders so expect David Clarkson to add to his penalty minutes. Ilya Kovalchuk has finally returned from a groin injury after missing five games. He is a mainstay on the power play as he plays most, if not all, of the two minutes. Travis Zajac is progressing well from his achilles tendon surgery but there is no timetable for his return. Patrik Elias had a seven game scoring streak halted on Tuesday but potted a goal and an assist Wednesday and now has seven goals and 17 points.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh , vs. Philadelphia, vs. New Jersey, @ New Jersey
Notes
The Islanders play four games this week including three in four nights so look for the three-headed monster of Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro and Evgeni Nabokov to see action unless one is traded (Nabokov) or injured (DiPietro). Well apparently on Thursday night Nabokov proved me wrong as he suffered a groin injury. They play a home-and-home series versus New Jersey so look for Matt Martin and Travis Hamonic to see some fisticuff action in one or both games. Kyle Okposo, the seventh overall selection in the 2006 draft, has been a healthy scratch the last two games as Nino Niederreiter was put into the lineup for the first time this season. Okposo has not scored in 14 games while
Joshua Bailey, who was drafted ninth overall in the 2008 Draft scored his first goal of the season on November 10.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
@ Florida, @ Washington, vs. Philadelphia
Notes
The Rangers play three times in four days this week so expect Martin Biron to play once in place of Henrik Lundqvist. Marc Staal has yet to play this season as he has been suffering from a concussion that occurred last season, but it appears that a concussion specialist, Dr. Robert Cantu, has given him clearance to begin light workouts. His return is unknown at this time. Brandon Dubinsky has a goal and 10 points but his 47 penalty minutes make him a good fantasy player in most pools. Marian Gaborik leads the team with 15 points and Brad Richards is right behind with 13. Artem Anisimov has had a quiet goal and 10 points in 16 games thus far.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, vs. Carolina
Notes
The Senators play only twice this week so we recommend benching all your Ottawa players with the exception of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. Karlsson has 17 assists and is tied for the lead in the NHL with Daniel Sedin. Nikita Filatov could go back to Russia as he was sent to the minors for the second straight year. GM Brian Murray will re-visit the situation at the end of the month and if Filatov is not back with the Senators, he could play for the Russian Central Red Army team. Milan Michalek has 11 goals in his first 19 games. Zenon Konopka has two goals and an assist with five shots on goal. Oh yeah, he also has 73 penalty minutes.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! The NHL is making this week American week as only three of the 51 scheduled games will be played in Canada as Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg play all their games in the United States, while Ottawa and Montreal split their two and four game schedule evenly in Canada and the US.
There are no games on Thursday but the NHL goes into action big time on Friday with 13 games, including their first game of the season on NBC with the Red Wings taking on the Bruins in Boston in an afternoon game. Don’t forget to tune in.
James O’Brien has been writing a great column, The Daily Dose for a few weeks now. If you want it sent directly to you via e-mail, click on the NHL box in your Rotoworld profile.
Here is The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21-27
4 Games - Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Florida, Montreal, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington
3 Games - Anaheim, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Nashville, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg
2 Games - Colorado, Ottawa, San Jose
Calgary and Edmonton play all four games on the road.
Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg play three times away from home.
Columbus, Dallas, Florida, Minnesota, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Washington play three games at home this week.
Follow me on twitter!
INJURIES
Ryan Miller is out indefinitely with a concussion.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
@ Phoenix, vs. Chicago, vs. Toronto
Notes
The Ducks claimed Niklas Hagman off re-entry waivers from the Flames this past week as they try to get their offense going. To accommodate Hagman on the roster, the Ducks sent former first round pick Peter Holland to the minors. Lubomir Visnovsky suffered a broken finger and is expected to miss a month of action. Cam Fowler will now be in charge of the power play, rather than being the other point man while Saku Koivu has moved up to the top unit. Kurtis Foster will man the point on the second unit with the absence of Visnovsky.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ Montreal, @ Buffalo, vs. Detroit, vs. Winnipeg
Notes
The Bruins play four times this week including three games in four nights. Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas should split the netminding this week. It should be interesting in Buffalo this week as Milan Lucic will face the Sabres for the first time since his open ice hit on goaltender Ryan Miller concussed the Buffalo goalkeeper. Look for Lucic to be involved in at least one fight. Tyler Seguin is second in the NHL in plus/minus at plus-15. He is forming a great number one line with Brad Marchand and the Bruins could be set for years with their top unit. Daniel Paille could be back this week, if not earlier, after undergoing facial surgery after taking a shot on the nose on November 7. He will likely wear a full facial shield, at least in the short-term. The Bruins are on a seven game winning streak.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Boston, @ Columbus, vs. Washington
Notes
The Sabres play three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to get two starts and Drew MacIntyre to possibly get the first start of his NHL career. Ryan Miller is out indefinitely with a concussion, suffered when he was run into by the Bruins Milan Lucic. Lucic and the Bruins are in Buffalo Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving, so it should be interesting to see if there are any fisticuffs. Mike Weber could be out a while after suffering an upper body injury on Wednesday. Sitting in the press box on Monday obviously had an effect on Tyler Myers who scored his first two goals on Wednesday and gave a head shot to the Devils’ Dainius Zubrus. He may be suspended but being a healthy scratch on Monday certainly affected him. Tyler Ennis is finally skating after suffering a sprained ankle on October 22.
CALGARY
Games this week
@ Columbus, @ Detroit, @ St. Louis, @ Minnesota
Notes
Calgary is on the road for all four games this week so expect to see Henrik Karlsson in net once in place of Miikka Kiprusoff, even though they don’t play three games in four nights. Jarome Iginla is off to another terrible start and is minus-ten thus far with only nine points in 17 games. Roman Horak has been told to find a permanent home in Calgary rather than stay in a hotel so he should be around for a while. Cory Sarich has been a healthy scratch in the last five games after getting a lonely assist and 23 penalty minutes in the Flames first 12 games.
CAROLINA
Games this week
@ Philadelphia, vs. Montreal, vs. Winnipeg, @ Ottawa
Notes
The Hurricanes play four times this week but do not play three games in four nights according to the weekly schedule, but do so if you include November 20th so expect to see Brian Boucher at least once instead of Cam Ward. Carolina will be a tired team on Monday when they travel to Philadelphia to face a rested Flyers team as they play the Maple Leafs the night before. Eric Staal is having a horrible year with four goals and eight points in 19 games, to go with an NHL worst minus-18 rating. Teammate Jussi Jokinen is having a much better season with three goals and 12 points with a plus-three rating. Joni Pitkanen is due to return this week from a lower body injury as he suffered the injury on November 11 and was projected to be out a week.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ San Jose, @ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles
Notes
The Blackhawks play three times in four nights so look for Ray Emery to play at least once in place of Corey Crawford. Last week the Blackhawks played all three in Western Canada and this week every game is in California. They are tired on Saturday when they play a rested Los Angeles team after playing Anaheim the night before. Patrick Kane has been hot of late with four goals and six points in his last three games. In a bit of a surprise, the Blackhawks have waived Rostislav Olesz. His salary of $3.25 million is likely too high to allow him to be selected off waivers so he should be headed for the minors to get in some playing time. Steve Montador has been red hot since the Blackhawks gave him second power play time and has four goals and six points in his last four games.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Edmonton
Notes
The Avalanche only play twice this week so we will recommend benching all your Avalanche players with the exception of Erik Johnson and Matt Duchene. They will be rested on Saturday when they play Edmonton who are in Minnesota on Friday. Brandon Yip returned to action on Thursday for the first time this season after suffering a broken forearm in the pre-season. Milan Hejduk was named the third captain of the Colorado Avalanche this past week, joining Adam Foote and Joe Sakic. Peter Mueller has now missed 16 straight games with a concussion and his return is still unknown although he is close. He has played only three times (all in October) since April, 2010.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
vs. Calgary, @ New Jersey, vs. Buffalo, vs. St. Louis
Notes
Columbus has won only three games this season and rookie Ryan Johansen has the winner in all three. Derick Brassard returned to the lineup on Thursday after being a healthy scratch the previous two nights. Steve Mason continues to struggle mightily and the Blue Jackets may be looking for a new goalie in a trade. Mark Letestu has taken advantage of his trade from Pittsburgh and has two goals and lots more ice time in the four games he’s played for the Blue Jackets. Rick Nash is minus-13 in the early going and the Jackets need him to get started if they are to salvage anything from this season.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Toronto, @ Phoenix
Notes
The Stars play four times this week, including three games in four nights so do not be surprised if Andrew Raycroft gets into one game in place of Kari Lehtonen. Despite playing four times, the Stars will be the rested team on Wednesday when they face a tired Los Angeles team who play in St. Louis on Tuesday. After missing six games, Steve Ott is expected to return to the lineup on November 18 where he will likely line up on the second line with Michael Ryder and Jamie Benn. The top line consists of Mike Ribeiro, Loui Eriksson and Brenden Morrow. Adam Burish will be out for a month with a broken left hand and don’t expect him to fight a lot upon his return as it will not be 100 percent.
DETROIT
Games this week
vs. Calgary, @ Boston, vs. Nashville
Notes
The Red Wings play three times in four nights so look for Ty Conklin to play once in place of Jimmy Howard. The Red Wings will be tired on Saturday when they face a rested Nashville squad after they play in Boston on Friday for the first NBC Game of the Week (and likely stuffing themselves with turkey on Thursday). Todd Bertuzzi has missed the last six games with a sinus infection. Pavel Datsyuk is off to a bad start, at least for him, with 11 points in 17 games with a minus-four rating. Ian White is out with a broken cheekbone. He may be back at the end of the week.
EDMONTON
Games this week
@Dallas, @ Nashville, @ Minnesota, @ Colorado
Notes
Edmonton plays four times this week, twice back-to-back so look for Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk to split the net. They will be the tired team twice this week as Nashville will be rested on Tuesday when the Oilers play there after playing in Dallas on Monday and the same situation arises on Saturday in Colorado where the rested Avalanche will be waiting for a tired Edmonton team who play in Minnesota Friday. Cam Barker will be out of action for three months as he requires ankle surgery. It was thought that Magnus Paajarvi would be a healthy scratch on Thursday but with Sam Gagner out with a bad back, Paajarvi moved to center instead of the press box but only has one assist in 17 games this season. Look for Ryan Whitney to return after Thanksgiving.
FLORIDA
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. New York Rangers, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Tampa Bay
Notes
The Panthers play four times including three games in four nights so expect to see Scott Clemmensen to get at least one start in place of Jose Theodore. They play a home-and-home series with their cross-state rival Florida Panthers after Thanksgiving so do not be surprised if Scottie Upshall and Erik Gudbranson add to their penalty minute totals. Mikael Samuelsson could start practicing by November 18 as he has been out for a month recovering from off-season sports hernia surgery. Tomas Fleischmann has 17 points and is plus-11 in 18 games this season and Kris Versteeg is doing even better with 20 points and a plus-nine rating. Stephen Weiss is also having a great season with six goals and 15 points, a plus-11 rating and 22 penalty minutes.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
@ St. Louis, @ Dallas, vs. Chicago
Notes
The Kings play three games this week and will be a rested team once and a tired team on one occasion as they are tired on Wednesday when they face the Stars in Dallas after playing in St. Louis the night before. They then go home to celebrate Thanksgiving and get Friday off while their Saturday opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks, are in Anaheim Friday. Slava Voynov was recalled after Alec Martinez suffered an upper body injury and was placed on the injured reserve list. Voynov scored a couple of goals the last game he played in the NHL in October and didn’t disappoint with a goal and an assist on Thursday. He is worth picking up in most pools. Dustin Penner is out of action with a swollen hand. He is on the injured reserve list but could be back this week. Andrei Loktionov was recalled to replace Penner. The Kings certainly have depth at Manchester and should not miss a beat with the injuries to Martinez and Penner.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Nashville, vs. Edmonton, vs. Calgary
Notes
Marek Zidlicky, the Wild`s top offensive defenseman, is out of action with a concussion. That puts two Wild blueliners on the shelf as Marco Scandella is also out with a concussion. Niklas Backstrom has been outstanding with a 7-4-2 record to go along with a 1.97 GAA and a .935 save percentage and he’s had to be with backup Josh Harding playing so well and breathing down his neck, with a 4-1-1 mark and a 1.78 GAA with a .948 save percentage. Dany Heatley has been a bit of a disappointment thus far with only five goals and 12 points in 19 games. Matt Cullen has eight goals to lead the Wild.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. Boston, @ Carolina, @ Philadelphia, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
Montreal plays four games this week including three in four nights so look for Peter Budaj to play once instead of Carey Price. Jaroslav Spacek has sat out the last two games with an upper body injury. Hal Gill is out and was hospitalized with a virus, will miss Saturday’s game as well and could miss games this week. P.K. Subban potted his first goal of the season on Wednesday. Andrei Markov finally practiced with the Canadiens for the first time this season Monday but his return to action from a knee injury suffered over a year ago is still unknown.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, @ Minnesota, @ Detroit
Notes
The Predators are rested twice this week when they play tired opponents. On Tuesday, they face Edmonton after the Oilers are in Dallas Monday, while on Saturday they are rested and waiting for the Red Wings in Detroit after the Wings play in Boston on Friday. With Pekka Rinne under contract for the next seven years, the Predators will now try to get defenseman Ryan Suter to sign a long-term deal with the team. Blake Geoffrion has been a disappointment early in the season with only two assists and seven shots on goal in 18 games. Defensemen Jonathon Blum and Kevin Klein are minus-nine and eight respectively while the top pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are plus-18 and plus-15.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Florida, vs. Columbus, @ New York Islanders, vs. New York Islanders
Notes
The Devils play our times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Johan Hedberg to play at least once in place of Martin Brodeur. New Jersey plays a home-and-home series with the Islanders so expect David Clarkson to add to his penalty minutes. Ilya Kovalchuk has finally returned from a groin injury after missing five games. He is a mainstay on the power play as he plays most, if not all, of the two minutes. Travis Zajac is progressing well from his achilles tendon surgery but there is no timetable for his return. Patrik Elias had a seven game scoring streak halted on Tuesday but potted a goal and an assist Wednesday and now has seven goals and 17 points.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh , vs. Philadelphia, vs. New Jersey, @ New Jersey
Notes
The Islanders play four games this week including three in four nights so look for the three-headed monster of Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro and Evgeni Nabokov to see action unless one is traded (Nabokov) or injured (DiPietro). Well apparently on Thursday night Nabokov proved me wrong as he suffered a groin injury. They play a home-and-home series versus New Jersey so look for Matt Martin and Travis Hamonic to see some fisticuff action in one or both games. Kyle Okposo, the seventh overall selection in the 2006 draft, has been a healthy scratch the last two games as Nino Niederreiter was put into the lineup for the first time this season. Okposo has not scored in 14 games while
Joshua Bailey, who was drafted ninth overall in the 2008 Draft scored his first goal of the season on November 10.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
@ Florida, @ Washington, vs. Philadelphia
Notes
The Rangers play three times in four days this week so expect Martin Biron to play once in place of Henrik Lundqvist. Marc Staal has yet to play this season as he has been suffering from a concussion that occurred last season, but it appears that a concussion specialist, Dr. Robert Cantu, has given him clearance to begin light workouts. His return is unknown at this time. Brandon Dubinsky has a goal and 10 points but his 47 penalty minutes make him a good fantasy player in most pools. Marian Gaborik leads the team with 15 points and Brad Richards is right behind with 13. Artem Anisimov has had a quiet goal and 10 points in 16 games thus far.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, vs. Carolina
Notes
The Senators play only twice this week so we recommend benching all your Ottawa players with the exception of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. Karlsson has 17 assists and is tied for the lead in the NHL with Daniel Sedin. Nikita Filatov could go back to Russia as he was sent to the minors for the second straight year. GM Brian Murray will re-visit the situation at the end of the month and if Filatov is not back with the Senators, he could play for the Russian Central Red Army team. Milan Michalek has 11 goals in his first 19 games. Zenon Konopka has two goals and an assist with five shots on goal. Oh yeah, he also has 73 penalty minutes.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
vs. Carolina, @ New York Islanders, vs. Montreal, @ New York Rangers
Notes
The Flyers play four games this week including three in four days so look for Sergei Bobrovsky to play at least once instead of Ilya Bryzgalov. The Flyers are rested and at home to Carolina Monday after the Hurricanes play Toronto at home Sunday. Jaromir
Jagr had 17 points in 17 games but suffered a lower body injury in his 18th game and should be considered day-to-day for now. Brayden Schenn will likely return after Thanksgiving to the Philadelphia lineup after breaking his foot on October 26, but don’t put him in your lineup this week. Matt Read has had the game winning goal in each of the last two games.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Washington, vs. Anaheim, vs. Vancouver, vs. Dallas
Notes
The Coyotes play four times this week including three in four days with Thanksgiving Day being their day off. Jason LaBarbera will likely see action once in place of the red hot Mike Smith. Daymond Langkow has missed the last four games and is unlikely to play before the Anaheim game on Wednesday as he has been given time off due to a death in the family. The Coyotes have not spent a lot of time in the penalty box as 12 minutes leads the team. Shane Doan has five of his 11 points on the power play. Mike Smith has been sensational this season with an 8-3-3 record to go with a 2.17 GAA and a .934 save percentage.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. New York Islanders, vs. St. Louis, vs. Ottawa, @ Montreal
Notes
The Penguins play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Brent Johnson to play once instead of Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh is rested on Wednesday when they face St. Louis after the Blues are home to Los Angeles Tuesday. For the first time we will ask the question: Is this the week that Sidney Crosby returns to action? Okay, maybe it’s the 10th time we’ve asked. He has been skating with the team and should return soon. The Penguins recalled Steve MacIntyre on Wednesday and sent Eric Tangradi to the minors. It has almost been a year since Kris Letang has scored an even strength goal as his last one came on November 29, 2010.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
vs. Los Angeles, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Calgary, @ Columbus
Notes
The Blues play three times in four nights this week so expect to see Jaroslav Halak in net instead of Brian Elliott at least once. They are tired in Pittsburgh Wednesday when they take on the rested Penguins after playing the Kings Tuesday. Chris Stewart was suspended for three games for his hit from behind on Niklas Kronwall. Evgeny Grachev is the beneficiary as he will get action on a line with Patrik Berglund and Matt D'Agostini. Kevin Shattenkirk finally picked up his first power play point of the season this past week. As a matter of fact, it was the first time he was on the ice for a power play goal this season. The Blues have been hot since coach Ken Hitchcock took over as they are 4-0-1.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Chicago, vs. Vancouver
Notes
The Sharks only play twice this week so we recommend benching all your Sharks with the exception of Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle. The Sharks are home, rested and waiting for the Canucks on Saturday after Vancouver travels from Phoenix where they play the Coyotes on Friday. Joe Pavelski leads the Sharks in goals and points with 10 and 18 respectively. Joe Thornton leads in assists with 10 while Andrew Desjardins has 21 penalty minutes. Marc-Edouard Vlasic had a big night on Thursday with a goals and four points to go with a plus-four rating.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Toronto, @ Florida, vs. Florida
Notes
The Lightning play the Panthers in a home-and-home series so look for Steve Downie to take care of any fisticuffs if the situation arises. The Lightning have been in only four fights this season and Downie has been involved in three of them with Ryan Malone in the other. Malone is hoping to return to action on November 19 after missing four games with an upper body injury. Steve Stamkos is getting hot after a slow start and has 11 goals and 19 points in 18 games. Dwayne Roloson is 6-4-1 and finally got his save percentage over .900 as it stands at .902 after Thursday’s 4-1 win over Pittsburgh.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ Tampa Bay, @ Dallas, @ Anaheim
Notes
The Maple Leafs are on the road for all three games this week. The return of James Reimer (concussion) is unknown at this time and there is no way we are going to call his mother to find out when he will return, never mind Ron Wilson or Brian Burke. Ben Scrivens and Jonas Gustavsson have not given the Maple Leafs stellar goaltending and they will have to wait impatiently for Reimer to return. Phil Kessel continues to lead the NHL in goals and points. Joffrey Lupul has been a pleasant surprise with 20 points thus far. Mikhail Grabovski is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a lower body injury. Clarke MacArthur is out with an upper body injury so the Maple Leafs are missing two-thirds of their second line. Reimer was on the ice in full equipment on Friday and that has to be encouraging.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
@ Colorado, @ Phoenix, @ San Jose
Notes
The Canucks play three games this week in four nights so look for Cory Schneider to play at least once in place of Roberto Luongo. Luongo was out of action last week with an upper body injury. Vancouver will be tired Saturday when they travel to San Jose to take on the rested Sharks, after playing in Phoenix Friday. Good news for Mason Raymond fans as he has been cleared for contact. He suffered a compression fracture in his back during the Stanley Cup final in June and could now return shortly. Keith Ballard is out indefinitely with a back injury. Ryan Kesler tweaked his shoulder on Wednesday but should be ready to go on Sunday. Aaron Rome had three goals in four games after scoring just twice in his previous 132 games.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, vs. Winnipeg, vs. New York Rangers, @ Buffalo
Notes
The Capitals play four games this week including three in four so expect to see Michal Neuvirth once in relief of Tomas Vokoun. Mike Green has yet to practice since re-injuring his groin a week ago. With three defensemen injured, forward Brooks Laich played on the blueline and played well on Saturday, blocking four shots in 23:36 minutes of action. Alex Ovechkin only has 59 shots on goal in 17 games this season and his seven goals and 14 points leave him in 47th spot in the NHL in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. Karl Alzner leads the Capitals in plus/minus with a plus-eight rating.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Washington, @ Carolina, @ Boston
Notes
The Jets are away for all three games this week as they play all within four days so look for Chris Mason to get a start replacing Ondrej Pavelec. Defenseman Ron Hainsey has started skating but there is still no timetable for his return from an undisclosed injury suffered on October 17. Evander Kane is playing on a line with Alexander Burmistrov and Bryan Little. He scored twice on Thursday and now has eight goals this season. Blake Wheeler potted his first goal of the season on Thursday and it was a power play effort.