EDMONTON
Games this week
vs. Nashville, vs. Minnesota, vs. Columbus, vs. Calgary
Notes
Edmonton plays four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk to split the net. The Oilers are rested on Friday when Columbus comes to town after the Blue Jackets play in Calgary the previous night. They then face a rested Calgary team on Saturday. The Oilers could use a defenseman and Sam Gagner’s name is being rumored around the league as the trade bait. Linus Omark will not be returning from the minors anytime soon as he broke his ankle and will be out two months. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having an outstanding season thus far with 22 points and is tied for the team lead with veteran Ryan Smyth who has 11 goals and an equal amount of assists. Good news as Ryan Whitney is expected to return to the lineup on November 25.
FLORIDA
Games this week
@ Carolina, @ Los Angeles, @ San Jose
Notes
The Panthers are on the road for all three games this week. It appears that the elbow to the head of Tomas Fleischmann will not keep him out of any action and if it does, he could still be ready for the start of the week. It’s hard to believe but Jason Garrison leads all defensemen in goals with eight and half have come with the man advantage. Kris Versteeg has been the best off-season move as he is fourth in the NHL in scoring with 26 points. He is also a plus-13 and has nine power play points including four goals. Fleischmann is second on the team with 22 points and Stephen Weiss is also averaging a point a game with 21 points in 21 games.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
vs. San Jose, vs. Florida, vs. Montreal
Notes
The Kings are home for all three games this week as home Los Angeles and vicinity teams do not travel. Dustin Penner is out for weeks with a hand injury. Mike Richards has goals in five straight games and seven out of the last eight to go along with a plus-six rating. Jonathan Bernier picked up his second win of the season this past week but Jonathan Quick is in no danger of losing his spot as the top goaltender at this time. The Kings are still very high on Bernier and will not trade him unless they get a great package for him. Anze Kopitar leads the team with 24 points.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Edmonton, vs. New Jersey, @ Anaheim
Notes
Minnesota is a tired team on Monday as they travel home from Calgary to meet a rested Tampa Bay team. Niklas Backstrom returned to the Wild on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s game for personal reasons. He was the reason for a great story as the Wild had to sign 51-year-old Paul Deutsch to an amateur tryout as recalled netminder Matthew Hackett could not get to the game on time from the minors. Deutsch sat on the bench for over a minute in the first before Hackett replaced him. Marco Scandella returned on Wednesday from a concussion suffered on November 12. Marek Zidlicky and Guillaume Latendresse are still out with concussions as there seems to be an epidemic in Minnesota.
MONTREAL
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ San Jose, @ Los Angeles
Notes
Montreal plays three games in four nights, all in California, so look for Peter Budaj to play in place of Carey Price. Scott Gomez is hurt once again as he suffered a lower body on Wednesday. The Canadiens will be tired on Thursday when they take on the San Jose Sharks as Montreal is in Anaheim on Wednesday evening. He missed nine games earlier in the season with an upper body injury. Great news as defenseman Andrei Markov (knee) was cleared for contact and could make his season debut in early December. Carey Price was the first star of the week last week as he stopped 72 of 74 shots in three starts. He started this past week off well, giving up one goal in 18 shots but the Habs were unable to beat Tim Thomas and the Bruins.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
@ Edmonton, @ Calgary, @ Vancouver, vs. Buffalo
Notes
The Predators play four times and are on the road in Western Canada for three games in four nights so look for Anders Lindback to play once with Pekka Rinne getting the other three starts. Nashville is a tired team on Tuesday when they face a rested Calgary team after playing in Edmonton the previous night and are the rested team on Saturday when they play a tired Buffalo team who are home to Detroit on Friday. They have tired of Niclas Bergfors whom they placed on unconditional waivers on Thursday, as it will cost any NHL team $125 to pick up his rights. Blake Geoffrion has been a healthy scratch the last three games after picking up only two assists in his first 20 games this season.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Colorado, @ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg
Notes
The Devils play three games in four nights and all are on the road, so look for Johan Hedberg to play at least once in place of Martin Brodeur. New Jersey will be a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Jets in Winnipeg as they play in Minnesota the previous evening. Travis Zajac (torn Achilles tendon) has passed his rehab session with doctors in Winnipeg and is now working with the team in New Jersey. If he continues to progress, he will start practicing with the Devils in a couple of weeks and should return to the lineup around the New Year. Pending unrestricted free agent Zach Parise will assess his future with the New Jersey Devils at the end of the season. His value is so high as he is a top-20 player in the NHL when healthy, the Devils have to look to trading him at the deadline if they are unable to sign him, especially if they are not in the playoff hunt.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Buffalo, @ Chicago, @ Dallas
Notes
The Islanders are on the road for all three games this week. They will be a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Stars in Dallas after playing the Blackhawks in Chicago on Saturday. In a bit of a surprise, the Islanders placed Blake Comeau on waivers and he was claimed by the Calgary Flames. He has been held pointless in 16 games with a minus-11 rating this year, after a 24 goal, 46 point season in 2010-11 and could probably use a new start in a new city. The only team in the league with a three goalie system, the Islanders were forced to recall Anders Nilsson when Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya went down with injuries leaving Rick DiPietro as their only healthy netminder. If you are looking for penalty minutes, then the recent call up of Micheal Haley has to interest you. Kyle Okposo had only three assists in 14 games and was a healthy scratch in three straight games before returning to action earlier in the week and potting a couple of goals in his second game back.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh, @ Carolina, @ Tampa Bay
Notes
Anton Stralman was placed on the first power play on Wednesday as the Rangers moved Michael Del Zotto off the first unit. Andre Deveaux should hear from the NHL on Friday as to whether or not he will be suspended for his elbow to the head of Tomas Fleischmann and did as he was given a three game suspension. Expect a suspension. Injured reserve players Marc Staal, Wojtek Wolski and Michael Rupp are traveling with the team on the road. Brad Richards is off to a slow start with six goals and 13 points in 18 games. Marian Gaborik leads the Rangers in points with 16.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Winnipeg, @ Dallas, @ Washington
Notes
The Senators are on the road for all three games this week. Chris Neil is starting to skate again after suffering an ankle injury on November 9. If you are able to take his minus-seven rating out of the picture, Colin Greening is having a surprising season. The rookie has six goals and 10 points in 21 games with two goals and four points coming on the power play. Sergei Gonchar has two goals and 14 points thus far this season and his plus/minus is even after being one of the worst plus/minus players in the NHL last year. Jason Spezza leads the Senators with 20 points, two ahead of Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson.
Lately, a good way to determine if a team will or will not make the playoffs is where they stand on Thanksgiving Day.
In the East, there are a few surprises, namely Florida and Toronto being in the playoffs while it’s a surprise to see the Lightning so low in the standings but that could be due to their lack of solid goalkeeping and a good blueline.
In the West, a huge surprise at the top of the standings is the Minnesota Wild who lead the entire NHL with 29 points. Dallas and St. Louis are also in the top eight after missing the playoffs in 2010-11. Vancouver is currently sitting in 11th spot while the Ducks are in a horrible slump with a 2-10-4 record in their last 16 and they are ahead of only the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.
The good news for teams not in the playoffs is that only eight points separate the top 14 teams in the East with only the Islanders seemingly out of it in the early going, while six points separate the top 11 in the west with Colorado, Calgary, the Ducks and Blue Jackets needing to really get white hot to get back in the race.
James O'Brien has been writing a great column, The Daily Dose, usually done from Monday to Friday during the regular season. 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 28-DECEMBER 4
4 Games - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, Nashville
3 Games - Anaheim, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
2 Games - Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto
Colorado and Edmonton play all four games at home.
Columbus, Florida, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, Ottawa and Pittsburgh play three times away from home.
Anaheim, Carolina, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Washington and Winnipeg play three games at home this week.
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INJURIES
Tyler Myers is out at least four weeks with a broken wrist.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Montreal, vs. Philadelphia, vs. Minnesota
Notes
Bobby Ryan suffered a hip contusion on Wednesday so consider him day-to-day for now. Lubomir Visnovsky has missed the last five games with a broken finger and will be out about another three weeks. Cam Fowler has taken over as the quarterback of the power play and has four points in those five games, albeit, with a minus-three rating. Keep an eye on Andrew Cogliano. The speedy winger has taken over the injured Jason Blake’s spot on the second line and has two goals and four points in his last three games with a plus-three rating.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ Toronto, vs. Toronto
Notes
The Bruins only play twice this week, but it’s a home-and-home series against the Maple Leafs so look for Shawn Thornton, Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara to add to their penalty minutes count. We recommend benching your Bruins if you can, with the exception of Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and the aforementioned three. The Bruins are the hottest team in the NHL as they are on a ten-game winning streak so Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask are worth having on your active roster. Seguin has 12 goals and 23 points in a breakout sophomore season.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. New York Islanders, vs. Detroit, @ Nashville
Notes
The Sabres will be a tired team on Saturday in Nashville as they are home to Detroit on Friday while the Predators have the night off. Ryan Miller is making progress with his concussion woes but there is no timetable for his return. Brad Boyes was placed on the top line alongside Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek for Wednesday’s game but suffered a lower body injury in the first period and did not return. His iron man streak of 513 games may be in jeopardy. Jochen Hecht returned for the first time on Wednesday after being out all season with a concussion.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Nashville, vs. Columbus, @ Edmonton, @ Vancouver
Notes
Calgary plays four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Henrik Karlsson in net once in place of Miikka Kiprusoff. Calgary plays two games this week where they are the rested team and one game when they are tired. They are rested Tuesday when they face Nashville who are in Edmonton Monday, and are rested against the Oilers Saturday as the Oilers face the Blue Jackets Friday. After going into Edmonton Saturday, the Flames take on the Canucks in Vancouver on Sunday. Brendan Morrison returned to action on Wednesday after being out almost three weeks with a knee injury. Mikael Backlund has done nothing fantasy-wise since his return from a broken finger six games ago as he has not tallied a point and is minus-five. David Moss has missed the last four games with a knee injury and was placed on the injured reserve list.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Florida, vs. New York Rangers, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
Joni Pitkanen could return as early as Sunday from his lower body injury. After only two assists in 13 games, the Hurricanes sent Zach Boychuk to the minors. Cam Ward has struggled this season and is 8-8-1 with a .907 save percentage and a 3.10 GAA. Jussi Jokinen leads the Hurricanes with seven power play points while Jeff Skinner has not slowed down in his sophomore season and has 21 points including nine goals, in 23 games.
CHICAGO
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, vs. New York Islanders, @ St. Louis
Notes
Brent Seabrook has missed the last six games with a lower body injury but should be back before the start of the week. The Blackhawks did not have a good time this past week in the province of Alberta where they gave up 14 goals in two losses to the Flames and Oilers giving up nine to Edmonton. The trip to Alberta was not kind to either Corey Crawford or Ray Emery as Crawford gave up seven goals in 33 shots and Emery was even worse, giving up seven goals in 27 shots.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Dallas, vs. New Jersey, vs. St. Louis vs. Detroit
Notes
The Avalanche play four times at home this week and finish an eight game home stand. Paul Stastny is having another off-season with only 13 points in 22 games after picking up 57 in 74 games last season. The Avalanche are hoping that Peter Mueller will be able to return to the lineup this week from his concussion problems that forced him to miss all of last season and all but three games thus far this year. Matt Duchene has 16 points in 22 games but seven goals and 10 points in his last 10. Erik Johnson is minus-12 this season but Jan Hejda is even worse at minus-16. Stefan Elliot could be recalled at any time and would make a nice addition to fantasy teams as he is an offensive defenseman.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Vancouver, @ Calgary, @ Edmonton
Notes
Columbus plays three games in four nights and all in Western Canada, so Steve Mason could get a start in place of new starting goalie Curtis Sanford who has started the last four games. Columbus will be tired on Saturday after playing in Calgary the night before while the Oilers will be waiting for them at home and rested. Vaclav Prospal is the lone bright spot for the Blue Jackets this season with 19 points in 21 games. Derick Brassard has been a healthy scratch in five of the last six games. Needless to say, there is no point in having him in your fantasy lineup. Jared Boll has a goal and 27 minutes in seven games as he is showing no ill effects from his broken thumb.
DALLAS
Games this week
@ Colorado, vs. Ottawa, vs. New York Islanders
Notes
Dallas will be rested and waiting at home on Saturday when a tired Islander squad will face them after playing in Chicago on Friday. Brenden Morrow will be out at least three games to try and rest his injured elbow after missing Wednesday’s game. Tomas Vincour replaced Morrow on the second line with Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro. Jamie Benn is having a great season with six goals and 21 points in 21 games to go with a plus-nine rating and 31 penalty minutes. He also has seven power play points. Ott leads with 41 minutes in only 15 games.
DETROIT
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Buffalo, @ Colorado
Notes
Defenseman Ian White returned to action after missing only 11 days and four games with a fractured cheekbone. He scored a goal upon his return and the Red Wings returned Brendan Smith, who was recalled with the injury to White, to Grand Rapids of the AHL. Fabian Brunnstrom was also sent back to the minors. Johan Franzen leads the Red Wings with 21 points, including six on the power play but Pavel Datsyuk is flying of late with three goals and eight points in his last four games to give him 18 on the season. Henrik Zetterberg has been a major disappointment with four goals and 10 points in 20 games.
EDMONTON
Games this week
vs. Nashville, vs. Minnesota, vs. Columbus, vs. Calgary
Notes
Edmonton plays four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk to split the net. The Oilers are rested on Friday when Columbus comes to town after the Blue Jackets play in Calgary the previous night. They then face a rested Calgary team on Saturday. The Oilers could use a defenseman and Sam Gagner’s name is being rumored around the league as the trade bait. Linus Omark will not be returning from the minors anytime soon as he broke his ankle and will be out two months. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is having an outstanding season thus far with 22 points and is tied for the team lead with veteran Ryan Smyth who has 11 goals and an equal amount of assists. Good news as Ryan Whitney is expected to return to the lineup on November 25.
FLORIDA
Games this week
@ Carolina, @ Los Angeles, @ San Jose
Notes
The Panthers are on the road for all three games this week. It appears that the elbow to the head of Tomas Fleischmann will not keep him out of any action and if it does, he could still be ready for the start of the week. It’s hard to believe but Jason Garrison leads all defensemen in goals with eight and half have come with the man advantage. Kris Versteeg has been the best off-season move as he is fourth in the NHL in scoring with 26 points. He is also a plus-13 and has nine power play points including four goals. Fleischmann is second on the team with 22 points and Stephen Weiss is also averaging a point a game with 21 points in 21 games.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
vs. San Jose, vs. Florida, vs. Montreal
Notes
The Kings are home for all three games this week as home Los Angeles and vicinity teams do not travel. Dustin Penner is out for weeks with a hand injury. Mike Richards has goals in five straight games and seven out of the last eight to go along with a plus-six rating. Jonathan Bernier picked up his second win of the season this past week but Jonathan Quick is in no danger of losing his spot as the top goaltender at this time. The Kings are still very high on Bernier and will not trade him unless they get a great package for him. Anze Kopitar leads the team with 24 points.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Edmonton, vs. New Jersey, @ Anaheim
Notes
Minnesota is a tired team on Monday as they travel home from Calgary to meet a rested Tampa Bay team. Niklas Backstrom returned to the Wild on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s game for personal reasons. He was the reason for a great story as the Wild had to sign 51-year-old Paul Deutsch to an amateur tryout as recalled netminder Matthew Hackett could not get to the game on time from the minors. Deutsch sat on the bench for over a minute in the first before Hackett replaced him. Marco Scandella returned on Wednesday from a concussion suffered on November 12. Marek Zidlicky and Guillaume Latendresse are still out with concussions as there seems to be an epidemic in Minnesota.
MONTREAL
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ San Jose, @ Los Angeles
Notes
Montreal plays three games in four nights, all in California, so look for Peter Budaj to play in place of Carey Price. Scott Gomez is hurt once again as he suffered a lower body on Wednesday. The Canadiens will be tired on Thursday when they take on the San Jose Sharks as Montreal is in Anaheim on Wednesday evening. He missed nine games earlier in the season with an upper body injury. Great news as defenseman Andrei Markov (knee) was cleared for contact and could make his season debut in early December. Carey Price was the first star of the week last week as he stopped 72 of 74 shots in three starts. He started this past week off well, giving up one goal in 18 shots but the Habs were unable to beat Tim Thomas and the Bruins.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
@ Edmonton, @ Calgary, @ Vancouver, vs. Buffalo
Notes
The Predators play four times and are on the road in Western Canada for three games in four nights so look for Anders Lindback to play once with Pekka Rinne getting the other three starts. Nashville is a tired team on Tuesday when they face a rested Calgary team after playing in Edmonton the previous night and are the rested team on Saturday when they play a tired Buffalo team who are home to Detroit on Friday. They have tired of Niclas Bergfors whom they placed on unconditional waivers on Thursday, as it will cost any NHL team $125 to pick up his rights. Blake Geoffrion has been a healthy scratch the last three games after picking up only two assists in his first 20 games this season.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Colorado, @ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg
Notes
The Devils play three games in four nights and all are on the road, so look for Johan Hedberg to play at least once in place of Martin Brodeur. New Jersey will be a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Jets in Winnipeg as they play in Minnesota the previous evening. Travis Zajac (torn Achilles tendon) has passed his rehab session with doctors in Winnipeg and is now working with the team in New Jersey. If he continues to progress, he will start practicing with the Devils in a couple of weeks and should return to the lineup around the New Year. Pending unrestricted free agent Zach Parise will assess his future with the New Jersey Devils at the end of the season. His value is so high as he is a top-20 player in the NHL when healthy, the Devils have to look to trading him at the deadline if they are unable to sign him, especially if they are not in the playoff hunt.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Buffalo, @ Chicago, @ Dallas
Notes
The Islanders are on the road for all three games this week. They will be a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Stars in Dallas after playing the Blackhawks in Chicago on Saturday. In a bit of a surprise, the Islanders placed Blake Comeau on waivers and he was claimed by the Calgary Flames. He has been held pointless in 16 games with a minus-11 rating this year, after a 24 goal, 46 point season in 2010-11 and could probably use a new start in a new city. The only team in the league with a three goalie system, the Islanders were forced to recall Anders Nilsson when Evgeni Nabokov and Al Montoya went down with injuries leaving Rick DiPietro as their only healthy netminder. If you are looking for penalty minutes, then the recent call up of Micheal Haley has to interest you. Kyle Okposo had only three assists in 14 games and was a healthy scratch in three straight games before returning to action earlier in the week and potting a couple of goals in his second game back.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh, @ Carolina, @ Tampa Bay
Notes
Anton Stralman was placed on the first power play on Wednesday as the Rangers moved Michael Del Zotto off the first unit. Andre Deveaux should hear from the NHL on Friday as to whether or not he will be suspended for his elbow to the head of Tomas Fleischmann and did as he was given a three game suspension. Expect a suspension. Injured reserve players Marc Staal, Wojtek Wolski and Michael Rupp are traveling with the team on the road. Brad Richards is off to a slow start with six goals and 13 points in 18 games. Marian Gaborik leads the Rangers in points with 16.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Winnipeg, @ Dallas, @ Washington
Notes
The Senators are on the road for all three games this week. Chris Neil is starting to skate again after suffering an ankle injury on November 9. If you are able to take his minus-seven rating out of the picture, Colin Greening is having a surprising season. The rookie has six goals and 10 points in 21 games with two goals and four points coming on the power play. Sergei Gonchar has two goals and 14 points thus far this season and his plus/minus is even after being one of the worst plus/minus players in the NHL last year. Jason Spezza leads the Senators with 20 points, two ahead of Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Phoenix
Notes
The Flyers only twice but the second game will be the homecoming of Ilya Bryagalov ot Phoenix for the first time since the deal that sent him to Philadelphia in the off-sesason. The Flyers will be tired when they play the Coyotes after facing Anaheim the previous night. Jaromir Jagr returned to action on Wednesday after missing two games with a groin injury and promptly injured it again so he will likely be out for a couple of games. He should return this week as the Flyers do not play until Friday. Chris Pronger has missed the last two games with the flu. Philadelphia activated Brayden Schenn (broken foot) from the injured list and loaned him to Adirondack of the AHL. James van Riemsdyk is seeing action on the first power play along with Scott Hartnell.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Chicago, @ Winnipeg, vs. Philadelphia
Notes
The Coyotes are rested on Saturday when they face a tired Philadelphia squad as the Flyers are in Anaheim the previous night. The Coyotes re-signed restricted free agent Kyle Turris to a two-year contract but he could still be traded, as that was his wish before he signed on. Daymond Langkow is expected to return to the Phoenix lineup on November 25 after missing seven games due to the unexpected death of his mother. Radim Vrbata is hot with five goals in his last three games. Mike Smith continues to shine for Coyotes with a 10-3-3 record, a 2.15 GAA and a .935 save percentage. He is playing like a number one fantasy goalie and was likely drafted very late or not at all in your fantasy pool.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, @ Washington, @ Carolina
Notes
The Penguins end a four game road trip this week with all three away from home. Sidney Crosby returned to action on Monday and came back with some oomph as he had two goals and four points after being out for over 10 months with a concussion. Not too shabby a return for the NHL’s best player. Pascal Dupuis is off to the best start of his NHL career with 17 points in 22 games and will ride shotgun on Crosby’s wing. Lost in the return of Crosby, was the return the same night of Zbynek Michalek from a broken finger suffered four weeks earlier. The Penguins will have an awesome top power play with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Steve Sullivan, and Kris Letang. Look for the Penguins to fly up the power play efficiency standings the rest of the way.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
@ Washington, @ Colorado, vs. Chicago
Notes
Brian Elliott has been sensational for the Blues this season and it’s a wonder that the Blues do not use him more often. He is 8-1-0 this season with a 1.48 GAA and a .946 save percentage compared with Jaroslav Halak’s 3-7-2 record, a 2.57 GAA and a .895 save percentage. It looks like a no-brainer to me. Chris Stewart is back after serving a three game suspension. Matt D'Agostini is a surprising plus-13 this season and has nine points as well.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
@ Los Angeles, vs. Montreal, vs. Florida
Notes
The Sharks are rested on Thursday when they face a tired Montreal team as the Canadiens are in Anaheim on Wednesday. They moved around their top six forwards on Wednesday as Patrick Marleau rejoined Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, while Martin Havlat found himself back with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe. Antti Niemi has been outstanding of late as he has won his last five starts, giving up only six goals in the process. Marc-Edouard Vlasic was the second star of the week, last week, with seven points in three games and now leads the Sharks defensemen in points with 11, one ahead of Dan Boyle.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
@ Minnesota, @ Detroit, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Lightning are rested on Monday when they take on a tired Minnesota squad, who play Calgary the previous night. Dwayne Roloson may be on his last legs in the NHL. The 42-year-old goaltender has given up 42 goals on 373 shots thus far and looks like he may be done. Steve Downie is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Ryan Shannon played on the first line alongside Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis with Ryan Malone moving to Steve Stamkos’ line. St. Louis seems to be having a bit of an off-year thus far with 16 points in 20 games after averaging over a point a game in three of the last four seasons with 80 points in 82 games in his only year that he didn’t.
TORONTO
Games this week
vs. Boston, @ Boston
Notes
The Maple Leafs only play twice this week, but it is a home-and-home series against the Bruins so there should be fisticuffs. Look for Colton Orr, Dion Phaneuf and possibly Luke Schenn to add to their penalty minute count. Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul are one-two in scoring in the NHL and that hasn’t happened this late in the season since 1933 when two members of the famed Kid Line were also one-two. Charlie Conacher led the league with Gentleman Joe Primeau second. The third member of the line, Busher Jackson, was third. James Reimer could return for the second half of the series in Boston but is more likely to be available the following week. If you listened to Rotoworld’s Ryan Dadoun in his Waiver Wired article on November 12, you would have picked up Tyler Bozak and have his six points in his last four games. Jonas Gustavsson has won back-to-back 7-1 games despite the Leafs getting outshot in both. Mike Komisarek is out eight weeks with a broken arm that requires surgery while Matthew Lombardi is out four weeks with a separated shoulder.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. Columbus, vs. Nashville, vs. Calgary
Notes
The Canucks play all three games at home and are rested on Sunday when they are home to Calgary after the Flames take on Edmonton Saturday. Cory Schneider has given up only one goal in his last two games and could start getting more starts even when Roberto Luongo returns to the starting lineup, which is expected to be on November 26. Dan Hamhuis has been stellar of late on the blueline with two goals and 10 points and a plus-six rating in his last 11 games. Mason Raymond (compressed fracture of vertebrae) could return this week for the first time since the Stanley Cup final in June.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. St. Louis, vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Ottawa
Notes
Mike Green is still not even skating, two weeks after injuring his groin, so there is no timetable for his return. For the first time since his rookie season, Alexander Semin was a healthy scratch on Monday. The benching obviously worked because Semin popped a goal on Wednesday and was plus-two and he didn’t take a minor penalty which was his undoing in so many games this season. I can’t believe how weak a season Alex Ovechkin is having. With only seven goals and 16 points in 20 games to go with 10 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating, he is more like a mid-round pick rather than the first or second pick where he was selected in most pools. Marcus Johansson, who most likely wasn’t selected, even in deep pools, has six goals and 12 points in 19 games and is plus-one. Not a huge difference.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, vs. Phoenix, vs. New Jersey
Notes
The Jets are home for all three games this week. They will be rested and waiting at home for the Devils on Saturday as New Jersey plays in Minnesota the previous night. Zach Bogosian was not suspended for his hit to the head of Cody Eakin. Alexander Burmistrov was one of the Jets best players at the beginning of the season but has not played well of late and managed to see only 7:56 minutes of action on Wednesday. He is only 20 and a great talent so he will bounce back but we cannot recommend him at this time in one-year pools. Anyone who said that Kyle Wellwood would be leading the Jets in scoring at the Thanksgiving break was lying or a tremendous friend or relative to the former Maple Leaf. He has 17 points in 21 games to have a three point lead over Nik Antropov, Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien.