It was one tough week for head coaches in the NHL as three were fired: Bruce Boudreau in Washington, Paul Maurice with the Carolina Hurricanes and Randy Carlyle in Anaheim. That makes four this season with Davis Payne being canned a month ago for Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis,
Boudreau went about 65 hours without a job as he was hired on to replace Carlyle. We wonder if he applied for unemployment insurance during the two-plus days, and if he did, will he not tell them he’s moving to California to take on a new job. If he doesn’t, he could be making an extra paycheck.
Dale Hunter is the new man in Washington after his success with the London Knights of the OHL, while Kirk Muller took the advice of many; became a head coach of a minor league team and got the job in Carolina within two months. That’s what friends are for.
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 DECEMBER 5-11
4 Games –Boston, Florida, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, San Jose, Tampa Bay
3 Games - Anaheim, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Detroit, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
2 Games - Dallas
Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Phoenix and Tampa Bay play three times away from home.
Buffalo, Calgary, the New York Islanders, the New York Rangers and St. Louis play three games at home this week.
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INJURIES
Chris Pronger went on the road with the Flyers and then found out he needed surgery on his knee which will keep him out of action for the next three-six weeks.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Los Angeles, @ St. Louis, @ Nashville
Notes
The Ducks fired head coach Randy Carlyle on Wednesday after only their third win in 19 games and hired recently deposed Washington coach Bruce Boudreau. Trade rumors were swirling around Bobby Ryan in Anaheim as the Ducks needed to make a change but apparently the move to fire the coach will be enough in the short term. Dan Ellis is out with a groin injury so Jeff Deslauriers will back up Jonas Hiller for the upcoming week at least. Ryan Getzlaf finally scored on Wednesday after going the previous 14 games without finding the back of the net. It remains to be seen if new coach Boudreau will leave Matt Beleskey on the top line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry or put Bobby Ryan back in the spot.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, @ Winnipeg, vs. Florida, @ Columbus
Notes
The Bruins play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask to share the net. The Bruins are tired on Tuesday when they face a rested Winnipeg team in Manitoba. Boston had a dream November with 12 wins and a shootout loss, to move into first place in the Northeast Division and only one point out of the Eastern Conference lead with two games in hand over Pittsburgh. The only blemish in the month was a 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings on Black Friday in a game televised on NBC. Tim Thomas was a perfect 9-0-0 while producing three shutouts and a remarkable .941 save percentage as he was named the first star for the month of November by the NHL.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, vs. Florida, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Sabres play three games in four nights and Jhonas Enroth will play but it remains to be seen if Ryan Miller will return from his concussion woes. Miller could be back by the December 3 weekend but if not, should be ready to go by the start of the week. The Sabres will be a rested team on Friday when they face the Panthers at home but will be a tired team on Saturday when the Rangers will be rested. The Sabres are hoping to get both Tyler Ennis and Patrick Kaleta back on December 2. Thomas Vanek leads the Sabres with 26 points and 10 power play points including six goals. Enroth is 8-3-1 with a 2.26 GAA and a .925 save percentage this season.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Carolina, vs. Colorado, vs. Edmonton
Notes
Calgary plays all three games at home this week. They will rested on Saturday when they are home to Edmonton, with the Oilers being tired after playing the Avalanche in the Alberta capital the night before. The Flames have placed Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond on waivers. He leads the NHL in hyphens. Mark Giordano was placed on the injured reserve list. Look for Cory Sarich, who has been a healthy scratch the previous three games, to get back in the lineup. The Flames are languishing near the bottom of the standings yet again but Jarome Iginla insists he doesn't want to be traded by the Flames and go to a contender.
CAROLINA
Games this week
@ Calgary, @ Edmonton, @ Winnipeg
Notes
The Hurricanes go on the road this week and spend it on the Canadian Prairies (that’s the first time I’ve been able to write that!) where they play three games in four nights before getting the weekend off. They will be tired in Edmonton on Wednesday after playing the Flames Tuesday. The Hurricanes fired coach Paul Maurice on Monday and replaced him with Kirk Muller so this will be the first chance the team gets to be on an extended road trip with the new bench boss. The Hurricanes are hoping that Eric Staal will start to flourish under the new regime as he had four goals and 10 points in 24 games with a minus-17 rating under Maurice and potted a goal in his first game with Muller. Cam Ward has played well despite an 8-10-3 with a 3.10 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
CHICAGO
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, @ New York Islanders, vs. San Jose
Notes
Chicago will be rested on Sunday when they are home to the Sharks as San Jose will be tired playing on St. Louis the previous night. Patrick Kane is moving back to the wing after spending the season at center. The good play of Marcus Kruger allowed the Blackhawks to make the move. Bryan Bickell has gone 13 games without registering a point. The Blackhawks are in the midst of playing 18 of 24 at home, after which they will go on a nine game road trip. Only seven teams have allowed more goals against than the Blackhawks 74.
COLORADO
Games this week
@ Vancouver, @ Calgary, @ Edmonton
Notes
The Avalanche are on the road for all three this week and play their Western Canada swing in four nights so expect to see Jean-Sebastien Giguere in goal once in place of Semyon Varlamov. Milan Hejduk went seven games without scoring a goal before potting one on Wednesday. Rookie Stefan Elliott has had a great start to his career as the defenseman has three points in his first three games. He is worth picking up in most pools. Peter Mueller (concussion) is still practicing with the team but has only played three games this season after missing all of last season with a concussion. Matt Duchene is playing on the top line with Paul Stastny and David Jones.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Montreal, vs. Nashville, vs. Boston
Notes
Curtis Sanford has played the last seven games in goal for the Blue Jackets and has been very good as an interim netminder with a 3-2-2 record and a 1.61 GAA, and .941 save percentage. Steve Mason is back but has yet to see the net with the outstanding play of Sanford. Derick Brassard continues to play sporadically for Columbus and a change of scenery may be needed for the former sixth overall pick. His minus-11 rating is the worst on the team. His agent went crazy on coach Scott Arniel so that could hasten his exit. Vaclav Prospal continues to lead the team in points with 20 but Rick Nash is closing in with 18.
DALLAS
Games this week
@ San Jose, @Los Angeles
Notes
Dallas only plays twice this week, so I suggest benching all your Stars with the exception of Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson, if you can. The Stars play both games on the road as they start a five game road trip. Kari Lehtonen will miss at least three weeks with a pulled groin so the Stars will rely on Andrew Raycroft between the pipes. Brenden Morrow is out with a bad back as is Trevor Daley both are hopeful at being back by the San Jose game. Benn leads the Stars with 23 points while Eriksson is tops in goals with 10 and plus/minus at 12. Steve Ott has been the best Star at the face off dot with players who have had over 100 opportunities as he has won 131 of 241, while Mike Ribeiro has been awful winning only 117 of 284.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ St. Louis, vs. Phoenix, vs. Winnipeg
Notes
The Red Wings will be rested on Saturday when they face the tired Winnipeg Jets at home as the Jets play Carolina the night before. Fabian Brunnstrom is with the Red Wings but that is more a classy move by Detroit as his wife is in the Motor City expecting a baby. She is seven days overdue at the time of this writing so the Red Wings won’t send him to Grand Rapids until she gives birth. Patrick Eaves is out six-eight weeks with a broken jaw so Detroit recalled Chris Conner from the minors. Jiri Hudler saw time on the second unit this past week, alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula as Daniel Cleary was put on the third line. Jimmy Howard has won six straight games.
It was one tough week for head coaches in the NHL as three were fired: Bruce Boudreau in Washington, Paul Maurice with the Carolina Hurricanes and Randy Carlyle in Anaheim. That makes four this season with Davis Payne being canned a month ago for Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis,
Boudreau went about 65 hours without a job as he was hired on to replace Carlyle. We wonder if he applied for unemployment insurance during the two-plus days, and if he did, will he not tell them he’s moving to California to take on a new job. If he doesn’t, he could be making an extra paycheck.
Dale Hunter is the new man in Washington after his success with the London Knights of the OHL, while Kirk Muller took the advice of many; became a head coach of a minor league team and got the job in Carolina within two months. That’s what friends are for.
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 DECEMBER 5-11
4 Games –Boston, Florida, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, San Jose, Tampa Bay
3 Games - Anaheim, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Detroit, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
2 Games - Dallas
Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Phoenix and Tampa Bay play three times away from home.
Buffalo, Calgary, the New York Islanders, the New York Rangers and St. Louis play three games at home this week.
Follow me on twitter!
INJURIES
Chris Pronger went on the road with the Flyers and then found out he needed surgery on his knee which will keep him out of action for the next three-six weeks.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Los Angeles, @ St. Louis, @ Nashville
Notes
The Ducks fired head coach Randy Carlyle on Wednesday after only their third win in 19 games and hired recently deposed Washington coach Bruce Boudreau. Trade rumors were swirling around Bobby Ryan in Anaheim as the Ducks needed to make a change but apparently the move to fire the coach will be enough in the short term. Dan Ellis is out with a groin injury so Jeff Deslauriers will back up Jonas Hiller for the upcoming week at least. Ryan Getzlaf finally scored on Wednesday after going the previous 14 games without finding the back of the net. It remains to be seen if new coach Boudreau will leave Matt Beleskey on the top line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry or put Bobby Ryan back in the spot.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, @ Winnipeg, vs. Florida, @ Columbus
Notes
The Bruins play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask to share the net. The Bruins are tired on Tuesday when they face a rested Winnipeg team in Manitoba. Boston had a dream November with 12 wins and a shootout loss, to move into first place in the Northeast Division and only one point out of the Eastern Conference lead with two games in hand over Pittsburgh. The only blemish in the month was a 4-3 shootout loss to the Red Wings on Black Friday in a game televised on NBC. Tim Thomas was a perfect 9-0-0 while producing three shutouts and a remarkable .941 save percentage as he was named the first star for the month of November by the NHL.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, vs. Florida, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Sabres play three games in four nights and Jhonas Enroth will play but it remains to be seen if Ryan Miller will return from his concussion woes. Miller could be back by the December 3 weekend but if not, should be ready to go by the start of the week. The Sabres will be a rested team on Friday when they face the Panthers at home but will be a tired team on Saturday when the Rangers will be rested. The Sabres are hoping to get both Tyler Ennis and Patrick Kaleta back on December 2. Thomas Vanek leads the Sabres with 26 points and 10 power play points including six goals. Enroth is 8-3-1 with a 2.26 GAA and a .925 save percentage this season.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Carolina, vs. Colorado, vs. Edmonton
Notes
Calgary plays all three games at home this week. They will rested on Saturday when they are home to Edmonton, with the Oilers being tired after playing the Avalanche in the Alberta capital the night before. The Flames have placed Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond on waivers. He leads the NHL in hyphens. Mark Giordano was placed on the injured reserve list. Look for Cory Sarich, who has been a healthy scratch the previous three games, to get back in the lineup. The Flames are languishing near the bottom of the standings yet again but Jarome Iginla insists he doesn't want to be traded by the Flames and go to a contender.
CAROLINA
Games this week
@ Calgary, @ Edmonton, @ Winnipeg
Notes
The Hurricanes go on the road this week and spend it on the Canadian Prairies (that’s the first time I’ve been able to write that!) where they play three games in four nights before getting the weekend off. They will be tired in Edmonton on Wednesday after playing the Flames Tuesday. The Hurricanes fired coach Paul Maurice on Monday and replaced him with Kirk Muller so this will be the first chance the team gets to be on an extended road trip with the new bench boss. The Hurricanes are hoping that Eric Staal will start to flourish under the new regime as he had four goals and 10 points in 24 games with a minus-17 rating under Maurice and potted a goal in his first game with Muller. Cam Ward has played well despite an 8-10-3 with a 3.10 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
CHICAGO
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, @ New York Islanders, vs. San Jose
Notes
Chicago will be rested on Sunday when they are home to the Sharks as San Jose will be tired playing on St. Louis the previous night. Patrick Kane is moving back to the wing after spending the season at center. The good play of Marcus Kruger allowed the Blackhawks to make the move. Bryan Bickell has gone 13 games without registering a point. The Blackhawks are in the midst of playing 18 of 24 at home, after which they will go on a nine game road trip. Only seven teams have allowed more goals against than the Blackhawks 74.
COLORADO
Games this week
@ Vancouver, @ Calgary, @ Edmonton
Notes
The Avalanche are on the road for all three this week and play their Western Canada swing in four nights so expect to see Jean-Sebastien Giguere in goal once in place of Semyon Varlamov. Milan Hejduk went seven games without scoring a goal before potting one on Wednesday. Rookie Stefan Elliott has had a great start to his career as the defenseman has three points in his first three games. He is worth picking up in most pools. Peter Mueller (concussion) is still practicing with the team but has only played three games this season after missing all of last season with a concussion. Matt Duchene is playing on the top line with Paul Stastny and David Jones.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Montreal, vs. Nashville, vs. Boston
Notes
Curtis Sanford has played the last seven games in goal for the Blue Jackets and has been very good as an interim netminder with a 3-2-2 record and a 1.61 GAA, and .941 save percentage. Steve Mason is back but has yet to see the net with the outstanding play of Sanford. Derick Brassard continues to play sporadically for Columbus and a change of scenery may be needed for the former sixth overall pick. His minus-11 rating is the worst on the team. His agent went crazy on coach Scott Arniel so that could hasten his exit. Vaclav Prospal continues to lead the team in points with 20 but Rick Nash is closing in with 18.
DALLAS
Games this week
@ San Jose, @Los Angeles
Notes
Dallas only plays twice this week, so I suggest benching all your Stars with the exception of Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson, if you can. The Stars play both games on the road as they start a five game road trip. Kari Lehtonen will miss at least three weeks with a pulled groin so the Stars will rely on Andrew Raycroft between the pipes. Brenden Morrow is out with a bad back as is Trevor Daley both are hopeful at being back by the San Jose game. Benn leads the Stars with 23 points while Eriksson is tops in goals with 10 and plus/minus at 12. Steve Ott has been the best Star at the face off dot with players who have had over 100 opportunities as he has won 131 of 241, while Mike Ribeiro has been awful winning only 117 of 284.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ St. Louis, vs. Phoenix, vs. Winnipeg
Notes
The Red Wings will be rested on Saturday when they face the tired Winnipeg Jets at home as the Jets play Carolina the night before. Fabian Brunnstrom is with the Red Wings but that is more a classy move by Detroit as his wife is in the Motor City expecting a baby. She is seven days overdue at the time of this writing so the Red Wings won’t send him to Grand Rapids until she gives birth. Patrick Eaves is out six-eight weeks with a broken jaw so Detroit recalled Chris Conner from the minors. Jiri Hudler saw time on the second unit this past week, alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula as Daniel Cleary was put on the third line. Jimmy Howard has won six straight games.
EDMONTON
Games this week
vs. Carolina, vs. Colorado, @ Calgary
Notes
Edmonton plays three games in four nights so look for Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk to share the net. The Oilers are rested on Wednesday and Friday when they face Carolina and Colorado as those two teams are tired from playing the night before, in Calgary on Tuesday for the Hurricanes as well as the Avalanche, but on Thursday. They are tired on Saturday when the Flames are home after getting Friday night off. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins continues to amaze in his rookie season as the 18-year-old has 11 goals and 16 assists in the first two months of the season and is not slowing down as he has 13 points in his last seven games. Jordan Eberle is almost as good with 17 assists and 26 points. Andy Sutton returned to action on Wednesday after missing seven games with a groin injury. The Oilers and Wild had a shootout on November 30 and it was the 1,000th shootout in NHL history.
FLORIDA
Games this week
vs. Washington, @ Boston, @ Buffalo, @ New York Rangers
Notes
The Panthers play four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Scott Clemmensen in goal once, in place of Jose Theodore. Florida will be a tired team on Friday when they face the Sabres in Buffalo after playing in Boston Thursday but will be rested Sunday in New York as the Rangers play in Buffalo on Saturday. Kris Versteeg and Sean Bergenheim missed practice on Wednesday, forcing the Floridians to recall Bracken Kearns from the minors. Marcel Goc is out with concussion-like symptoms. Tomas Fleischmann, Stephen Weiss and Versteeg have been outstanding plus/minus wise as they are plus-14, 13 and 12 respectively.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
@ Anaheim, vs. Minnesota, vs. Dallas
Notes
The Kings stay in Southern California yet again this week as their only road game is 28 miles away in Anaheim. Scott Parse is likely out for the remainder of the season as he will undergo surgery on both hips. Mike Richards has found his new home with the Kings to his liking as he has 20 points in 25 games but was injured on Thursday so his status for next week is unclear at this time. Los Angeles is hoping to get Dustin Penner back from a hand injury this week. Justin Williams was moved to the third line alongside Andrei Loktionov and Kyle Clifford earlier in the week.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
@ San Jose, @ Anaheim, @ Phoenix
Notes
Minnesota continues its West Coast trip with a visit to San Jose, Los Angeles and Phoenix after playing in Anaheim this past week. Cal Clutterbuck is out with a lower body injury. Colton Gillies has been a healthy scratch the last two games. In case you were wondering, there is nothing new to report on the progress of Marek Zidlicky's recovery from a concussion. Niklas Backstrom is back as the starter for the Wild as Josh Harding’s string of games in net ran its course.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, @ Columbus, vs. Anaheim
Notes
Coach Jacques Martin looked to put a spark in the Habs on Wednesday by starting Peter Budaj in goal against the woeful Ducks as Carey Price was 1-2-1 in his last four but the Ducks beat them 4-1. Max Pacioretty was suspended for three games for his hit on Kris Letang so Michael Cammalleri replaced him between Erik Cole and David Desharnais. Andrei Kostitsyn returned to action on November 26 after missing three weeks with a lower body injury. Andrei Markov could return to action this week if he hasn’t done so already.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, @ Columbus, vs. Anaheim
Notes
The Predators will be rested when they take on the Phoenix on Tuesday as the Coyotes will play in Chicago on Monday and be tired as a result. Patric Hornqvist has not had a point in his last ten games. Blake Geoffrion will be out ‘for a while’ with an arm injury. Jordin Tootoo has become a scoring machine of late with five points in his last five games. The energy player is known more for his penalty minutes than his offensive prowess so any scoring is welcome by the Predators.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Toronto, vs. Ottawa, vs. Montreal
Notes
Devils play the three Eastern Canadian teams this week with two games at home. They are rested twice while playing a tired opponent as they are in Toronto on Tuesday to face the Maple Leafs who are in New York to play the Rangers Monday, while they face Ottawa Thursday who travel from Washington after playing the Capitals Wednesday night. It looks like Martin Brodeur’s best days in the NHL are behind him and he may not be a fantasy option anymore. The 39-year-old is 5-6 this season with a 3.09 GAA and a .887 save percentage, all rankings in the 30’s among goalies this season. Patrik Elias will remain at center when Travis Zajac and Jacob Josefson return.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Chicago, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
The Islanders are rested on Tuesday when they face the Lightning. Tampa Bay play in Ottawa on Monday. John Tavares has not potted a goal in the last 11 games and is pointless in his last six. We wouldn’t bench him just yet as his offensive ability is just too great. The New York Islanders have no plans to send Nino Niederreiter back to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, but sat him in the press box for four games as a healthy scratch before giving him some ice time on Tuesday. The Islanders are really struggling on the road with a 2-5-2 record and only 16 goals in nine games.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. Toronto, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Buffalo, vs. Florida
Notes
The Rangers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Martin Biron to play once in place of Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers will be rested on Saturday when they travel to Buffalo to play the Sabres, who face Florida on Friday, but will then play the rested Panthers on Sunday. Marc Staal (concussion) is skating, but is still a long way away from returning to action. He has not played this season. Brandon Dubinsky has dropped down New York's depth chart to the fourth-line, centering Sean Avery and Brandon Prust.
OTTAWA
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Washington, @ New Jersey, vs. Vancouver
Notes
The Senators play three games in four nights so look for Craig Anderson to see most of the action in goal although Alexander Auld could see action in one game. They will be a tired team on Thursday when they play in New Jersey after playing in Washington the night before in the battle of the two nation’s capitals. Ottawa has assigned Matt Carkner to the minors on a conditioning stint following his recovery from knee surgery in September. The Senators recalled Nikita Filatov from the minors, and he promptly went out and suffered a broken nose so his prospects are not at an all-time high at this point in time. Upon recalling Filatov, the Senators reassigned forward Stephane Da Costa to Binghamton of the AHL.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
@ Buffalo, vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Tampa Bay
Notes
The Flyers play three games in four nights. Expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky in goal once in place of Ilya Bryzgalov. The Flyers will be tired on Thursday when they face a rested Pittsburgh squad as Philadelphia are in Buffalo Wednesday. Chris Pronger has a mystery virus that is causing nausea and headaches but he said that he passed his concussion tests. He starts rehabbing his knee on Friday after surgery that will keep him on the shelf for three-six weeks. James van Riemsdyk could return this week from an upper body injury. Brayden Schenn was recalled from the minors and is hoping that that will be his last trip down to Adirondack. Look for Jaromir Jagr (groin) to return to the lineup this week, if not sooner.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Chicago, @ Nashville, @ Detroit, vs. Minnesota
Notes
The Coyotes play four times this week, including three in four nights so expect to see Jason LaBarbera in goal once instead of the red-hot Mike Smith. Phoenix will be tired on Tuesday when they are in Nashville to face a rested Predators team, after playing in Chicago the previous night. Veteran Ray Whitney is off to a great start with 21 points in 24 games. Keith Yandle is starting to pick up his scoring pace and has six points in his last six games. After signing a two-year contract last week, it was thought that Kyle Turris would be sent to the minors for a conditioning stint, but he is in such great shape, the Coyotes had him in the lineup on December 1 against the Jets.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. Boston, @ Philadelphia, @ New York Islanders
Notes
The Penguins are rested when they face a tired Flyers team on Thursday as Philadelphia are in Buffalo on Wednesday. Simon Despres picked up an assist in his NHL debut Thursday. It appears that Kris Letang suffered a concussion from the hit by the Habs Max Pacioretty on Saturday and he could be out indefinitely. Sidney Crosby is amazing. He returns after missing over 10 months with a concussion, and promptly picks up 11 points in his first six games.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
vs. Detroit, vs. Anaheim, vs. San Jose
Notes
The Blues are home for all three games this week as they are in the midst of a five game home stand. David Perron has been out over a year because of concussion woes but could return as early as December 3. That would be great news for the forward. Evgeny Grachev was placed on the injured reserve list after taking a puck to his eye earlier in the week in practice. Brian Elliott earned the third star of the week with an outstanding performance as he was 3-0-0 record with a .963 save percentage and 0.98 GAA. David Backes is starting to score again, but his penalty minute numbers are way down in comparison to last season.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Minnesota, vs. Dallas, @ St. Louis, @ Chicago
Notes
The Sharks play three times in four nights and one more time earlier in the week, so Thomas Greiss should get one start instead of Antti Niemi. The Sharks should be tired in Chicago on Sunday when they play the rested Blackhawks as San Jose are in St. Louis Saturday. Antero Niittymaki was slated to be the backup goalie for the Sharks but he required surgery during training camp on his hip. He practiced with the Sharks on Wednesday for the first time since the surgery. He is scheduled to return in mid-late December. The move will likely force San Jose to return Greiss to the minors. Ryane Clowe had not scored in 10 games and that had to concern the Sharks who reunited him with Logan Couture and Martin Havlat. The move paid off as he scored on Thursday for the first time in 11 games.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
@ Ottawa, @ New York Islanders, @ New York Rangers, vs. Philadelphia
Notes
The Lightning will play three games in four nights so look for Mathieu Garon to play at least once in place of Dwayne Roloson who has struggled this season. Tampa Bay will be tired on Tuesday after playing in Ottawa the previous night and will face a rested Islanders team on Long Island. After a slow start, Steve Stamkos now has 16 goals on the season to tie Phil Kessel for the NHL lead. The Lightning have inked defenseman Victor Hedman to a five-year contract extension worth a reported $20 million. While many have put down the deal, it’s a good move as there are not too many 20-year-old defensemen who have played two-plus seasons in the NHL. He should come into his own in a couple of years and at that time it will seem like a real bargain. Steve Downie returned to action on Wednesday and was a minus-two after missing the previous three games with an upper body injury.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, vs. New Jersey, @ Washington
Notes
The Maple Leafs will be a tired team on Tuesday when a rested Devils squad comes to town as Toronto are in New York to play the Rangers on Monday. They once again do not play on Saturday as they have the weekend off after playing the Capitals on Friday. Good news from the minors as Nazem Kadri seems to have finally solved the minor league game. He has six goals and 17 points as he was named the top player in the AHL for the month of November. The Maple Leafs have the top two scorers in the NHL in Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul and that hasn’t happened this late in the schedule since 1933 when Charlie Conacher and Gentleman Joe Primeau were one-two. James Reimer could be back between the pipes as early as December 3 after being out with a neck injury since October 22. It is more likely that he returns this week, but he should be at least on the bench Saturday.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. Colorado, @ Montreal, @ Ottawa
Notes
There is definitely a goaltending controversy brewing in Vancouver as Cory Schneider has played the last seven games while Roberto Luongo and been injured and on the bench awaiting his return. To Luongo’s credit, he has been a great teammate, supporting Schneider in goal. Mason Raymond was supposed to return to action on December 1 after suffering a compression fracture in his back in the Stanley Cup Final in June, but the lack of paperwork to the head office in New York will force him to wait until December 4. There was some serious concerns during his recovery that he might not ever play again, but he should be on the third line with Cody Hodgson and Jannik Hansen, Sunday. Surprise, surprise. Sami Salo is injured with a groin injury. Defenseman Dan Hamhuis has 12 points in his last 15 games.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
@ Florida, vs. Ottawa, vs. Toronto
Notes
The Capitals have been reeling and were the first team to fire their head coach as Bruce Boudreau was released from his contract and the job was taken by Dale Hunter. Thus far the move has not paid off as the Capitals have lost both games this past week. Roman Hamrlik was a healthy scratch on Thursday as he was replaced by Jeff Schultz who was a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Alex Ovechkin is still unable to break loose. Rotoworld’s Gus Katsaros wrote a great piece in his ‘View from the Corners’ Monday and part of the column stated why Ovechkin has been slumping the last season-plus. Mike Green reported that there's no timetable for his return to the lineup from his groin injury even though he has skated four times in the past five days as of Wednesday.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
vs. Boston, vs. Carolina, @ Detroit
Notes
The Jets are rested on Tuesday when they face a tired Boston team as the Bruins have to travel from Pittsburgh on Monday evening. That should be a long flight. The Jets will be tired on Saturday when they play the Red Wings in Detroit as they play the Hurricanes on Friday. Tobias Enstrom has resumed skating as he recovers from a broken collarbone suffered on October 31. He is expected to return after Christmas. The Jets have five defensemen out of action at this time. There are rumors that coach Claude Noel could be in danger of losing his job with Randy Carlyle now available. Stay tuned as Carlyle is one of the top bench coaches in hockey.