The All-Star vote by the fans ended on Wednesday and there sure seems to be a lot of Ottawa Senators fans in the NHL as four of the six selections, including all three forwards, were from the Senators franchise.
While we won’t argue with the selection of defenseman Erik Karlsson to the team as he leads all NHL defensemen in points with 37, the forward line of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek leaves a lot to be desired. Spezza is 11th in scoring while Alfredsson is 68th and Michalek is 79th.
The other two selections were Tim Thomas (a no-brainer, although James Reimer of Toronto was leading most of the way) and Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf. There were better choices on the blueline available.
You would think by the fans vote that the 2011-12 Ottawa Senators were the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers.
Oh well.
Now to The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF JANUARY 9-15
4 Games – Anaheim, Carolina, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington
3 Games - Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Toronto, Winnipeg
2 Games – Florida
San Jose plays all four games away from home this week.
Anaheim, New Jersey, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Vancouver play three times away from home.
Calgary, Chicago, Edmonton, Montreal, the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay play three games at home this week.
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INJURIES
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins suffered a shoulder injury this week and could be out a month.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Dallas, @ Calgary, @Edmonton, @ Vancouver
Notes
The Ducks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Dan Ellis to get at least one start in place of Jonas Hiller. The Ducks will be tired Friday when the face a rested Oilers team as Anaheim plays in Calgary Thursday. There will be plenty of rumors flying around the next few weeks as GM Bob Murray said this past week that outside of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, who have no-movement clauses, everyone else is on the block for trades and that includes Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. He does not want draft choices back, so if any or all of these players are dealt, it will be a blockbuster. Jason Blake returned on Wednesday from a torn tendon in his wrist that kept him out of action since October 14. He lined up on the second line with Selanne and Koivu but was on the third line in practice on Thursday with Niklas Hagman moving up.
BOSTON
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Montreal, @ Carolina
Notes
Nathan Horton had been struggling with only five points in his last 12 games before a three point outburst on Thursday. Tim Thomas has been outstanding this season, but so has backup Tuukka Rask so do not be surprised if the net is shared over the next few months in an effort to keep Thomas fresh for the playoffs. David Krejci was off to an extremely slow start this season with only one point in the month of October but has 27 points including eight goals, in his last 26 games.
BUFFALO
Games this week
@ Toronto, vs. Toronto, @ New York Islanders
Notes
The Sabres are a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Islanders as Buffalo plays the Maple Leafs Friday. They play a home-and-home series with Toronto and that could get ugly so look for Paul Gaustad, Cody McCormick and of course, Patrick Kaleta to possibly add to their penalty minute totals. Tyler Myers is finally expected back on January 6 after being out since November 19 with a broken wrist. Ville Leino has been a major disappointment this season after signing a mega-deal in the off-season as a UFA. He is recovering from a broken foot and hopes to return this week. Tyler Ennis was hoping to return from an ankle injury but had a setback and is unlikely to play this week. The Islanders game starts a seven game road trip for the Sabres.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. Anaheim, vs. Los Angeles
Notes
Rene Bourque was suspended for five games for his hit on the Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom. He is a repeat offender and will be eligible to return on January 17. Jarome Iginla is just one goal away from the magical 500 mark in his career. The Flames recalled Raitis Ivanans from the minors and if he gets some ice time, he should get penalty minutes as he is an enforcer. Defenseman Derek Smith is out six-eight weeks with a high ankle sprain. Mark Giordano could return shortly and that would be a huge boost for the Flames defensive corps as they are hurting. He is their power play quarterback and will definitely help in the offensive categories fantasy-wise. Chris Butler was an awful minus-seven Thursday against Boston.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, @ Tampa Bay, vs. Boston, @ Washington
Notes
The Hurricanes play three games in four nights and four times this week so look for Justin Peters to be in goal once in place of the workhorse Cam Ward. Carolina will be tired on Sunday when they play a rested Washington squad as the Hurricanes take on the Bruins Saturday. Zac Dalpe saw action on the top line alongside Eric Staal last week and was sent to the minors this week. Justin Faulk will continue to quarterback the power play with Joni Pitkanen (concussion) undergoing knee surgery that will keep him out four weeks. Jiri Tlusty was given every opportunity by coach Kirk Muller to play on the top line with Staal but failed miserably and now Andreas Nodl will get his shot.
CHICAGO
Games this week
vs. Columbus, vs. Minnesota, @ Detroit, vs. San Jose
Notes
The Blackhawks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Ray Emery to play once in place of Corey Crawford who has taken back the net with some stellar play of late. Daniel Carcillo was suspended for seven games for his hit from behind on Tom Gilbert. Carcillo suffered a possible knee injury on the same play so we wonder if the suspension will start immediately or when he is healthy enough to return. Marcus Kruger (concussion) and Steve Montador (upper body) have been placed on the injured reserve list, necessitating the recall of center Andrew Shaw and defenseman Dylan Olsen. The Blackhawks were only 1-for-21 on the power play heading into Thursday’s action so Patrick Kane was dropped to the second unit and replaced by Andrew Brunette, which should give Brunette extra fantasy value.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Nashville, vs. Dallas
Notes
The Avalanche play a home-and-home series with the Predators and there could be fisticuffs in either or both games so we suggest putting in Cody McLeod and Shane O'Brien into your fantasy lineup if you need minutes. Peter Mueller (concussion) continues to practice with the Avs and they are hopeful that he will return to the lineup shortly as he has only played three times in the last two seasons. Goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are splitting the net as each played in eight games in December. This is probably good for the young Varlamov as he gets to watch and learn from the veteran Giguere, who is having a great season. David Jones returned this past week from a groin injury.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Chicago, vs. Phoenix, vs. San Jose
Notes
The Blue Jackets are the tired team Saturday when they host a rested San Jose squad, who will likely watch Friday’s Columbus-Phoenix game. They will be rested on Friday when they play the Coyotes who are in Detroit the previous night. Rick Nash is now open to waiving his no-trade contract in a hypothetical scenerio and the Blue Jackets could trade him and start the re-build. Nikita Nikitin should be on your radar if you are looking for a power play quarterback as he has taken over from the injured James Wisniewski who is out until February with a broken ankle. Derek MacKenzie set a Columbus record among forwards last season with a plus-14 and is back at it this season as he is plus-nine, the only plus player for the Blue Jackets who has played more than three games. He should be on some NHL team’s radar as a third line checker when the Blue Jackets start dealing.
DALLAS
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, vs. Colorado
Notes
The Stars have been hurting on the blueline but got Stephane Robidas back on January 5 and that will help. Sheldon Souray is still out, as is Philip Larsen, so Jamie Benn’s older brother Jordie is still with the team. It was a proud time for the Benn family as Jordie Benn was recalled last week and the two brothers combined in setting up Loui Eriksson for the Stars’ first goal of the game. Kari Lehtonen has given up 10 goals in his first three games back after missing almost five weeks with a groin injury.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ New York Islanders, vs. Phoenix, vs. Chicago
Notes
Jiri Hudler’s off-season quest to get in shape has worked as he has 11 goals and 25 points in 38 games this season. The Maple Leafs Jonas Gustavsson’s nickname is “The Monster” but Red Wings Jimmy Howard has been playing like one as Howard has a sterling 24-9-1 record, 1.99 GAA and .927 save percentage this season. Tomas Holmstrom and Darren Helm are not ready to return from groin injuries. Justin Abdelkader has taken advantage of the injuries and is excelling on the third line with two goals in three games.
The All-Star vote by the fans ended on Wednesday and there sure seems to be a lot of Ottawa Senators fans in the NHL as four of the six selections, including all three forwards, were from the Senators franchise.
While we won’t argue with the selection of defenseman Erik Karlsson to the team as he leads all NHL defensemen in points with 37, the forward line of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek leaves a lot to be desired. Spezza is 11th in scoring while Alfredsson is 68th and Michalek is 79th.
The other two selections were Tim Thomas (a no-brainer, although James Reimer of Toronto was leading most of the way) and Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf. There were better choices on the blueline available.
You would think by the fans vote that the 2011-12 Ottawa Senators were the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers.
Oh well.
Now to The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF JANUARY 9-15
4 Games – Anaheim, Carolina, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington
3 Games - Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Toronto, Winnipeg
2 Games – Florida
San Jose plays all four games away from home this week.
Anaheim, New Jersey, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Vancouver play three times away from home.
Calgary, Chicago, Edmonton, Montreal, the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay play three games at home this week.
Follow me on twitter!
INJURIES
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins suffered a shoulder injury this week and could be out a month.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Dallas, @ Calgary, @Edmonton, @ Vancouver
Notes
The Ducks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Dan Ellis to get at least one start in place of Jonas Hiller. The Ducks will be tired Friday when the face a rested Oilers team as Anaheim plays in Calgary Thursday. There will be plenty of rumors flying around the next few weeks as GM Bob Murray said this past week that outside of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, who have no-movement clauses, everyone else is on the block for trades and that includes Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. He does not want draft choices back, so if any or all of these players are dealt, it will be a blockbuster. Jason Blake returned on Wednesday from a torn tendon in his wrist that kept him out of action since October 14. He lined up on the second line with Selanne and Koivu but was on the third line in practice on Thursday with Niklas Hagman moving up.
BOSTON
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Montreal, @ Carolina
Notes
Nathan Horton had been struggling with only five points in his last 12 games before a three point outburst on Thursday. Tim Thomas has been outstanding this season, but so has backup Tuukka Rask so do not be surprised if the net is shared over the next few months in an effort to keep Thomas fresh for the playoffs. David Krejci was off to an extremely slow start this season with only one point in the month of October but has 27 points including eight goals, in his last 26 games.
BUFFALO
Games this week
@ Toronto, vs. Toronto, @ New York Islanders
Notes
The Sabres are a tired team on Saturday when they face the rested Islanders as Buffalo plays the Maple Leafs Friday. They play a home-and-home series with Toronto and that could get ugly so look for Paul Gaustad, Cody McCormick and of course, Patrick Kaleta to possibly add to their penalty minute totals. Tyler Myers is finally expected back on January 6 after being out since November 19 with a broken wrist. Ville Leino has been a major disappointment this season after signing a mega-deal in the off-season as a UFA. He is recovering from a broken foot and hopes to return this week. Tyler Ennis was hoping to return from an ankle injury but had a setback and is unlikely to play this week. The Islanders game starts a seven game road trip for the Sabres.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. Anaheim, vs. Los Angeles
Notes
Rene Bourque was suspended for five games for his hit on the Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom. He is a repeat offender and will be eligible to return on January 17. Jarome Iginla is just one goal away from the magical 500 mark in his career. The Flames recalled Raitis Ivanans from the minors and if he gets some ice time, he should get penalty minutes as he is an enforcer. Defenseman Derek Smith is out six-eight weeks with a high ankle sprain. Mark Giordano could return shortly and that would be a huge boost for the Flames defensive corps as they are hurting. He is their power play quarterback and will definitely help in the offensive categories fantasy-wise. Chris Butler was an awful minus-seven Thursday against Boston.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, @ Tampa Bay, vs. Boston, @ Washington
Notes
The Hurricanes play three games in four nights and four times this week so look for Justin Peters to be in goal once in place of the workhorse Cam Ward. Carolina will be tired on Sunday when they play a rested Washington squad as the Hurricanes take on the Bruins Saturday. Zac Dalpe saw action on the top line alongside Eric Staal last week and was sent to the minors this week. Justin Faulk will continue to quarterback the power play with Joni Pitkanen (concussion) undergoing knee surgery that will keep him out four weeks. Jiri Tlusty was given every opportunity by coach Kirk Muller to play on the top line with Staal but failed miserably and now Andreas Nodl will get his shot.
CHICAGO
Games this week
vs. Columbus, vs. Minnesota, @ Detroit, vs. San Jose
Notes
The Blackhawks play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Ray Emery to play once in place of Corey Crawford who has taken back the net with some stellar play of late. Daniel Carcillo was suspended for seven games for his hit from behind on Tom Gilbert. Carcillo suffered a possible knee injury on the same play so we wonder if the suspension will start immediately or when he is healthy enough to return. Marcus Kruger (concussion) and Steve Montador (upper body) have been placed on the injured reserve list, necessitating the recall of center Andrew Shaw and defenseman Dylan Olsen. The Blackhawks were only 1-for-21 on the power play heading into Thursday’s action so Patrick Kane was dropped to the second unit and replaced by Andrew Brunette, which should give Brunette extra fantasy value.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Nashville, vs. Dallas
Notes
The Avalanche play a home-and-home series with the Predators and there could be fisticuffs in either or both games so we suggest putting in Cody McLeod and Shane O'Brien into your fantasy lineup if you need minutes. Peter Mueller (concussion) continues to practice with the Avs and they are hopeful that he will return to the lineup shortly as he has only played three times in the last two seasons. Goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are splitting the net as each played in eight games in December. This is probably good for the young Varlamov as he gets to watch and learn from the veteran Giguere, who is having a great season. David Jones returned this past week from a groin injury.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Chicago, vs. Phoenix, vs. San Jose
Notes
The Blue Jackets are the tired team Saturday when they host a rested San Jose squad, who will likely watch Friday’s Columbus-Phoenix game. They will be rested on Friday when they play the Coyotes who are in Detroit the previous night. Rick Nash is now open to waiving his no-trade contract in a hypothetical scenerio and the Blue Jackets could trade him and start the re-build. Nikita Nikitin should be on your radar if you are looking for a power play quarterback as he has taken over from the injured James Wisniewski who is out until February with a broken ankle. Derek MacKenzie set a Columbus record among forwards last season with a plus-14 and is back at it this season as he is plus-nine, the only plus player for the Blue Jackets who has played more than three games. He should be on some NHL team’s radar as a third line checker when the Blue Jackets start dealing.
DALLAS
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, vs. Colorado
Notes
The Stars have been hurting on the blueline but got Stephane Robidas back on January 5 and that will help. Sheldon Souray is still out, as is Philip Larsen, so Jamie Benn’s older brother Jordie is still with the team. It was a proud time for the Benn family as Jordie Benn was recalled last week and the two brothers combined in setting up Loui Eriksson for the Stars’ first goal of the game. Kari Lehtonen has given up 10 goals in his first three games back after missing almost five weeks with a groin injury.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ New York Islanders, vs. Phoenix, vs. Chicago
Notes
Jiri Hudler’s off-season quest to get in shape has worked as he has 11 goals and 25 points in 38 games this season. The Maple Leafs Jonas Gustavsson’s nickname is “The Monster” but Red Wings Jimmy Howard has been playing like one as Howard has a sterling 24-9-1 record, 1.99 GAA and .927 save percentage this season. Tomas Holmstrom and Darren Helm are not ready to return from groin injuries. Justin Abdelkader has taken advantage of the injuries and is excelling on the third line with two goals in three games.
EDMONTON
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. Anaheim, vs. Los Angeles
Notes
The Oilers play three times this week and Edmonton will be playing a tired team in all three while they are rested. All three scenarios are the same as the visiting team play in Calgary the night before and then travel to Edmonton. They take on New Jersey Wednesday, Anaheim on Friday and the Kings on Sunday. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins suffered a shoulder injury and will be lost to the Oilers for three-four weeks. Corey Potter is heating up again with a goal and six points in his last six games. He got off to a great start but an injury halted his production until now. Tom Gilbert suffered a lower body injury when hit from behind by Daniel Carcillo, a hit that got Carcillo a seven game suspension. Gilbert is day-to-day and the Oilers recalled Colten Teubert to take his place.
FLORIDA
Games this week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
The Panthers only play twice this week, for the second time in a row. They signed veteran John Madden this past week and he should be a great bottom-six forward for the Panthers for the rest of the season. I suggest benching all your Panthers with the exception of Kris Versteeg, Stephen Weiss, Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Jose Theodore is out two weeks with a strained right MCL so the Panthers recalled their goalie of the future Jacob Markstrom to share the net with Scott Clemmensen. Krys Barch was suspended one game for a racial slur directed at the Canadiens P.K. Subban although Barch re-iterated time-and-time again that he had no racial intention. The NHL agreed and said the suspension would have been five-ten games if it was.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
vs. Washington, vs. Dallas, @ Calgary, @ Edmonton
Notes
The Kings play three games in four nights and four times this week so look for Jonathan Bernier to play once in place of Jonathan Quick. Quick was the third star of the week with three wins as he allowed only four goals. The Kings will be tired on Sunday when they face the rested Oilers after playing the Flames in Calgary Saturday. Slava Voynov is out with an upper body injury and while he has been skating, he will not return until he has a full practice. The Kings are 11-0 when scoring at least three goals. Simon Gagne does have a concussion.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. San Jose, @ Chicago, @ St. Louis
Notes
Devin Setoguchi returned to action this past week after missing 12 games with a knee injury and found himself on the top line with Dany Heatley and Mikko Koivu. He has only 13 points in 29 games so he could be available in some pools. The Wild are in a terrible slump with a 1-6-3 record in their last 10 games, scoring only 16 times. Jarod Palmer scored his first NHL goal and then was injured in the same game prompting the Wild to place him on injured reserve with an upper body injury. Marco Scandella was minus-six in his previous four games so coach Mike Yeo made him a healthy scratch.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. St. Louis, @ Boston, vs. Ottawa, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Habs play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Peter Budaj to play once in place of Carey Price. Look for Brian Gionta to return to the Montreal lineup on January 7 from a groin injury. Lars Eller had the best game of his young career on Wednesday as he scored four goals and added an assist to double his goal count on the season to eight. P.K. Subban and Tomas Plekanec traded punches during a Montreal practice on Monday and that set the twitter world on fire. GM Pierre Gauthier apologized to the province of Quebec (well to anyone who may have been offended) for hiring a coach who was not bilingual. Hmmm.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
@ Colorado, vs. Colorado, vs. Philadelphia
Notes
The Predators play a home-and-home series against the Avalanche this week so expect to see Jordin Tootoo and Brian McGrattan. Great news for the Predators as Shea Weber returned to action on Thursday after missing four games with a concussion. It was even stranger since coach Barry Trotz said earlier in the week that Weber would be out indefinitely. Colin Wilson was scheduled to return Thursday but did not and is out with an upper body injury. Kevin Klein returned from missing six games with the flu and scored once while adding an assist as he had the best offensive game in his NHL career.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Calgary, @ Edmonton, @ Winnipeg
Notes
The Devils are on the Canadian Prairies for all three games this week. They will be tired on Wednesday in Edmonton after playing in Calgary Tuesday night. Travis Zajac missed one game this past week and could miss more as his Achilles tendon has been sore of late. He had surgery in the off-season and could miss a few games here and there. Martin Brodeur has yet to play both ends of back-to-back games this season and likely won’t this season. Andy Greene is expected to get out of his walking boot in the next day or so and is likely two weeks away from returning. Adam Henrique had five goals and 13 points in 14 December games and was named the NHL’s rookie of the month.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
vs. Detroit, vs. Philadelphia, vs. Buffalo
Notes
The Islanders are home for all three games this week. They are the rested team Saturday when they play the Sabres who face Toronto Friday night. Matt Moulson had an amazing month of December with 18 points. Kyle Okposo is playing extremely well on the top line with Moulson and John Tavares and has forced the Islanders to move P.A. Parenteau to the second line, much to the chagrin of Parenteau’s fantasy owners. Evgeni Nabokov has taken advantage of injuries to Al Montoya and Rick DiPietro and is establishing himself as the Islanders top netminder, or at least until they deal him.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, vs. Ottawa, @ Toronto, @ Montreal
Notes
The Rangers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so expect to see Martin Biron play once in place of Henrik Lundqvist. They will be the rested team on Saturday when they face a tired Maple Leafs team who are in Buffalo the previous night. The Rangers received great news for the Winter Classic when Marc Staal returned to action for the first time this season as he has been out with a concussion. Wojtek Wolski has been practicing and is close to returning after undergoing hernia surgery.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, @ New York Rangers, @ Montreal
Notes
Four Senators were named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as the fans in Ottawa voted early and often. Erik Karlsson is having an outstanding season and leads all defensemen in points with 37. Chris Phillips suffered a mild concussion and is out of action. Robin Lehner was suspended for three AHL games for abusing an official when he tried to go at it with opposing goalie Jeff Deslauriers. He was intercepted by the officials and then tried to return to the ice after going off prompting the suspension.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
@ Carolina, @ New York Islanders, @ Nashville
Notes
Jaromir Jagr is out of action for 7-10 days, dating from the Winter Classic as he suffered a recurrence of a calf injury. Matt Read saw action in his place on the first line with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, but James van Riemsdyk is getting power play time with Giroux and Hartnell and got the pp winner on Thursday. Brayden Schenn scored his first NHL goal in the Winter Classic and that should be the first of many for the fifth overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, @ Detroit, @ Columbus
Notes
The Coyotes play three games in four nights so look for Jason LaBarbera to play once in place of Mike Smith. Smith returned to action this past week from a groin injury that kept him out of action for a couple of weeks, but it is unlikely that the Coyotes will risk playing Smith too much. They will be a tired team on Friday when facing the rested Blue Jackets as they are in Detroit Thursday. Radim Vrbata has scored three times in the last three games as he now has 19 goals and 32 points in 41 games to go with a plus-10 rating. It was not a good week for Raffi Torres who was fined $2,500 for his hit on Jan Hejda of the Avs and then was suspended for a pair of games for a hit on Nate Prosser of the Wild.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, @ Washington, @ Florida, @ Tampa Bay
Notes
The Penguins play four times this week as well as three in four nights so expect to see Brent Johnson be between the pipes once in place of Marc-Andre Fleury. They will be the tired team Wednesday when they play the rested Capitals as Pittsburgh take on the Senators Tuesday. Matt Niskanen has done a nice job of filling in for the injured Kris Letang on the Penguins' power play and should be grabbed in most pools. There is nothing new to report in the concussion woes that are keeping Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang out of action. It is surprising that Steve MacIntyre, a noted fighter, has only a minor in nine NHL games this season.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
@ Montreal, vs. Vancouver, vs. Minnesota
Notes
The Blues are rested on Saturday when they face Colorado who are in Chicago the night before. Alexander Steen is still out with a concussion suffered on December 27 and has not started practicing. It looks like Jaroslav Halak is taking over the starting job once again in St. Louis despite the stellar play this season of Brian Elliott. David Perron continues to impress with 13 points in 15 games after returning from a concussion that kept him out of action for 13 months. The Blues have excelled under new head coach Ken Hitchcock as they are 17-5-5 since he took over.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
@ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg, @ Columbus, @ Chicago
Notes
The Sharks play four times this week including three games in four nights. They recently recalled goaltender Antero Niittymaki from the minors giving the team three goalies at the NHL level but don’t necessarily think that Niittymaki will get into a game soon. Look for Thomas Greiss to play once in place of Antti Niemi this week. The Sharks will be a rested team on Saturday when they face a tired Columbus team who play Phoenix the night before. Colin White and Jim Vandermeer are on the injured list. Logan Couture has nine goals in his last 16 games.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Carolina, @ Washington, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
The Lightning play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson to split the net. The Lightning will be the rested team Tuesday against the Canucks who will be tired after playing in Florida the previous night. Tampa Bay then becomes the tired team on Friday when they are in Washington to face the rested Capitals as the Lightning play Carolina Thursday. Steve Stamkos continues to flourish in the goal scoring department as he now has a league-leading 28. Ryan Malone has a lower body injury and could be questionable for the week. Mattias Ohlund may not return to action this season as he has a knee injury.
TORONTO
Games this week
vs. Buffalo, @ Buffalo, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Maple Leafs will be tired on Saturday when they face a rested New York Rangers team as Toronto is in Buffalo for the back half of a home-and-home series with the Sabres. The Maple Leafs put Colton Orr on waivers and GM Brian Burke lamented that enforcers may no longer be needed in the NHL. The Leafs as mentioned previously, take on the Sabres in two games this week so look for Mike Brown, if he returns, or Luke Schenn to add to their respective penalty minute totals. Usually we would mention Dion Phaneuf as well but he took a puck to the face Thursday and is awaiting the results. As if John-Michael Liles didn’t have enough problems with his concussion,; he found out that he also has bronchitis.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
@ Florida, @ Tampa Bay, @ St. Louis, vs. Anaheim
Notes
Vancouver plays four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Cory Schneider to play at least once in place of Roberto Luongo. Luongo has been sensational of late with a 9-2-2 record in his last 13 games including a 1.82 GAA. The Canucks will be a tired team on Tuesday as they take on a rested Tampa Bay team after Vancouver is in Sunrise, Florida to play the Panthers the previous night. Kevin Bieksa is on a roll. He had a seven game scoring streak stopped on Wednesday but has four goals and 23 points with a plus-eight rating and 49 penalty minutes in 41 games. David Booth is hoping to play against the Panthers as it would be his first game against his former teammates, but he is still out with a knee injury and is doubtful. The Anaheim game kicks off a six game home stand for the Canucks.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
@ Los Angeles, vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Tampa Bay. vs. Carolina
Notes
The Capitals play four times but not three games in four nights. Still, Michal Neuvirth is likely to get one start in place of Tomas Vokoun. The Capitals get a big break in the schedule as they play a tired team while they are rested in three of the four games. They play Pittsburgh on Wednesday after the Penguins entertain Ottawa Tuesday. They face Tampa Bay on Friday and the Lightning have to travel from their home base after playing Carolina the previous night, while on Sunday they play the Hurricanes who meet Boston on Saturday. Nicklas Backstrom was hit in the head on Tuesday by an elbow from Rene Bourque that got Bourque a five game suspension. It was thought that Backstrom may have a concussion but he wants to play on January 7. Alexander Semin missed Tuesday’s game with a sore neck but practiced Thursday and hopes to be in the lineup on the weekend.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Boston, vs. San Jose, vs. New Jersey
Notes
The Jets are a real Jekyll and Hyde team. They are 14-6-1 at home but 5-10-4 on the road. Fortunately, they have two home games this week and play only once on the road. Dustin Byfuglien is still out of action with a lower body injury but hopes to return on Tuesday. Blake Wheeler continues to be one of the top Jets this season and should be on someone’s roster in deeper fantasy leagues. Bryan Little is still out of action. Eric Fehr seems to be in coach Claude Noel’s doghouse as Noel is giving Fehr fourth line minutes.