PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
vs. Florida, vs. Washington, vs. Montreal
Notes
The Flyers are rested on Saturday when they host the Canadiens as Montreal will be tired after playing Ottawa on Friday. Ilya Bryzgalov had three straight shutouts and came within 6:30 of his fourth straight shutout. He was the NHL’s first star of the week. He is the hottest goalie in the NHL at this time. Pavel Kubina has missed the last five games with an upper body injury. Daniel Briere broke a 23 game goalless drought with a goal on Tuesday. Jakub Voracek returned on Tuesday after missing three games with a back injury. Kimmo Timonen returned after missing five games with a back injury.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Colorado, @ San Jose, vs. St. Louis
Notes
The Coyotes play four times this week including three games in four nights so Jason LaBarbera could get one start in place of Mike Smith. The Coyotes will be tired on Sunday when they play the rested Blues as they take on the Sharks Saturday. Ray Whitney has five assists in his last three games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been scoring of late as he has a goal in each of his last three games. He’s chipped in with two assists as well. David Rundblad was returned to the minors after a four game stint with the big club.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Nashville, @ Ottawa, vs. New Jersey
Notes
The Penguins play three games in four nights this week so look for Brad Thiessen to play once in place of Marc-Andre Fleury. They are rested on Saturday when they face a tired Senators squad who are in Montreal Friday. The tables are turned Sunday as they take on a rested New Jersey team. Sidney Crosby returned to action on Thursday after being out since December 5 with concussion-like symptoms. He had an assist and was plus-three. Kris Letang also returned from a head injury on Thursday so it looks like the Penguins are back at close to full strength. Evgeni Malkin is one point up on Steve Stamkos in the race for the Art Ross Trophy.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, @ Phoenix
Notes
The Blues are the top team in the NHL at this time. They are on the road for all three and are the tired team Thursday when they take on Los Angeles after playing in Anaheim on Wednesday. They are the rested team Sunday in Phoenix as the Coyotes will be tired after playing in San Jose Saturday. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk are two of the best young defensemen in the NHL and the Blues are lucky to have both offensive studs.Andy McDonald is injured once again as he hurt his shoulder Thursday in the second period. He missed 51 games earlier in the season with a concussion. Jaroslav Halak was the third star of the week as he had three wins.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, vs. Boston, vs. Phoenix
Notes
The Sharks play four times this week including three in four games so look for Thomas Greiss to play at least once instead of Antti Niemi. They are rested Monday when they play a tired Anaheim team who face Nashville on Sunday but are tired Tuesday when they take on a rested Kings squad. Martin Havlat returned to the San Jose lineup on Thursday after missing 39 games with a torn hamstring. He played on the second line with Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe and should be in someone’s fantasy lineup in anything other than the shallowest of pools. Logan Couture hit the 30 goal plateau for the second straight season.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Buffalo, vs. Edmonton. vs. New York Islanders
Notes
Steve Stamkos hit the 50 goal mark for the second time in his career and looks to be a sure bet to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as his lead is 11 goals over Evgeni Malkin with a little over three weeks left in the season. Vincent Lecavalier could return this week from a hand injury. Mathieu Garon is out for a few more weeks but Dwayne Roloson did not immediately take over as the starter as recent call up Dustin Tokarski took over. The Lightning scored a power play goal this past week and it was the first time in 11 goals that Teddy Purcell failed to garner a point.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ Boston, vs. New York Islanders, @ New Jersey, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Maple Leafs will be tired on Tuesday when they are home to the rested Islanders as they play in Boston on Monday. James Reimer has started the last two games after Jonas Gustavsson got five straight starts for new head coach Randy Carlyle. The Maple Leafs have crashed and burned as they went 2-14-2 during an 18 game stretch before defeating the Lightning on Thursday. Nikolai Kulemin may be gone for the season with a broken finger. Jake Gardiner scored a beautiful goal against the Lightning and it looks like Toronto has a bona fide number one defenseman in their future.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
@ Minnesota, @ Chicago, @ Dallas, @ Colorado
Notes
The Canucks play four times this week, all on the road, including three games in four nights so look for Cory Schneider to play at least once in place of Roberto Luongo. They are rested Wednesday when they take on Chicago who play in Columbus the previous night. They are tired on Thursday when they are in Dallas to face the Stars. Coach Alain Vigneault switched up his lineup this past week and Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin find themselves on a line with Mason Raymond while Alex Burrows is playing alongside Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen. Aaron Rome is back in the lineup as Marc-Andre Gragnani will be a healthy scratch on the blueline. Manny Malhotra is out of the lineup in the foreseeable future as he deals with some personal issues. Alex Burrows is now playing up front on the first power play unit with the Sedin twins as Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler are on the point. Sami Salo was demoted to the second unit.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
@ Detroit, @ Philadelphia, vs. Winnipeg, vs. Minnesota
Notes
The Capitals play four times including three games in four nights so look for Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth to share the net. The Capitals are tired on Friday when they take on the rested Jets as Washington is in Philadelphia Thursday. They are rested Sunday as their opponents, the Minnesota Wild, are in Buffalo Saturday. Nicklas Backstrom has been practicing hard of late as he attempts to come back from a concussion suffered on January 3. Evgeny Kuznetsov announced his intention to remain in the KHL next season and the Capitals are definitely disappointed that their first round in the 2010 Entry Draft will not be in North America next season. Brooks Laich has been centering Alex Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson of late and has three goals and four points in his last five games.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, @ Washington, @ Nashville
Notes
Winnipeg will be a rested team facing a tired Washington team on Friday but are the tired team on Saturday when they play the Predators. The Winnipeg Jets own the league's top ranked power play on home ice this season with 30 goals in 120 opportunities. After playing in just one of the Jets past 12 games, Zach Bogosian (wrist) is hoping to return to action on March 16 against the Capitals. Despite missing over a month of action earlier in the season, Dustin Byfuglien is now a top-five scoring defenseman with 44 points. Blake Wheeler leads the Jets with 41 assists and 58 points.
The NHL is heading into the final three weeks of its regular season and it appears that the Rocket Richard Trophy will be awarded to Steve Stamkos for the second time in the last three seasons.
The Art Ross Trophy is a tight race with Evgeni Malkin leading Stamkos by one and Claude Giroux by three.
By all rights, the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player should also go to Stamkos, even though his team, the Tampa Bay Lightning are unlikely to make the playoffs.
The Norris Trophy goes to the NHL’s best defenseman and it will be tough not to give it to Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson who has 70 points in 70 games.
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Now to The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF MARCH 19-25
4 Games – Boston, Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Rangers, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington
3 Games – Anaheim, Calgary, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Winnipeg
Edmonton and Vancouver play all four on the road.
Columbus, Dallas, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay play three games at home this week.
Boston, Calgary, New Jersey, the New York Islanders, St. Louis and Winnipeg play three games on the road this week.
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INJURIES
Nikolai Kulemin is out three-four weeks with a broken finger.
(Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
@ San Jose, vs. St. Louis, vs. Boston
Notes
The Ducks are tired on Monday when they face San Jose after playing Nashville on Sunday. They are rested Sunday when they face the Bruins who are in Los Angeles to play the Kings Saturday. Corey Perry (shoulder) and Luca Sbisa (back) have missed the last two games. Congratulations to Teemu Selanne who became only the 19th player in the history of the NHL to hit the 1,400 point mark and Saku Koivu who played in his 1,000 NHL game on Monday. After a slow start, Bobby Ryan now has 26 goals this season as he attempts to hit the 30 mark for the fourth straight season. Unfortunately, he has only two power play goals as he plays on the second unit when all hands are healthy.
BOSTON
Games this week
vs. Toronto, @ San Jose, @ Los Angeles, @ Anaheim
Notes
The Bruins play three games in four nights in California after playing Toronto at home, so look for Marty Turco to play once in place of veteran Tim Thomas. Tuukka Rask thinks he’ll need closer to six weeks to return from his groin injury and that will push his return into the playoffs. They are tired on Sunday when they play the Ducks in Anaheim after playing in Los Angeles Saturday. Jordan Caron continued his hot play of late and now has eight points in his last six games heading into action on Thursday. Patrice Bergeron is day-to-day after getting hit on the back of the leg with the puck Tuesday. Benoit Pouliot is ready to return from a lower body injury after missing three games.
BUFFALO
Games this week
@ Tampa Bay, vs. Montreal, @ New York Rangers, vs. Minnesota
Notes
The Sabres play four times this week, including three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to play once instead of Ryan Miller. They are tired on Saturday when they are home to the Wild after playing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Friday. Cody McCormick returned to action on Wednesday after missing over a month with a concussion. Tyler Myers was given a three game suspension as he boarded Scott Gomez of the Canadiens Monday. Cody Hodgson has been struggling since being dealt from Vancouver at the trade deadline and actually saw fourth line minutes earlier in the week. Tyler Ennis has only 10 goals and 21 points in 37 games this season but has been hot of late with three goals and six points in his last three games.
CALGARY
Games this week
@ Colorado, @ Minnesota, @ Dallas
Notes
The Flames are on the road for all three games this week. GM Jay Feaster said that Michael Cammalleri is expected to return before the end of the season as he has an upper body injury. Sven Baertschi netted his third NHL goal in just four games as the rookie has impressed thus far. Unfortunately, he was recalled from junior hockey on an emergency basis and must be returned to Portland of the WHL when one forward is a healthy return. Jarome Iginla hit the 30 goal mark for the 11th straight season.
Curtis Glencross was on a seven game goal scoring streak that ended on Tuesday when he was tossed from the game for boarding the Sharks’ Jason Demers during the opening stanza.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Florida, @ Columbus, @ Detroit
Notes
The Hurricanes play three games in four nights so look for Cam Ward to get a rest in one game with Brian Boucher taking over. They are tired Saturday in Detroit after playing the Blue Jackets in Columbus Friday. Ward has been struggling of late. After getting points in 12 straight games, Eric Staal went scoreless in his next three games before picking up an assist on Tuesday. The Hurricanes recalled defenseman Bob Sanguinetti and he replaced the injured Jaroslav Spacek in the lineup. Joni Pitkanen skated for the first time on Thursday since his concussion in early December.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ Columbus, vs. Vancouver, vs. Nashville
Notes
The Blackhawks are tired on Wednesday when they host the hated Canucks after playing in Columbus Tuesday. They will be rested Sunday when they take on the Predators who are hosting Winnipeg Saturday. Jonathan Toews is still not ready to return from his concussion. He briefly skated on Wednesday, but has not skated on any other occasion since Sunday so the timetable for his return is still unknown. Chicago has been getting a very good effort from Brian Bollig who has been their enforcer since his recall seven games ago. Steve Montador has missed 17 games with a concussion but has started skating this past week. Marian Hossa leads the Blackhawks with 69 points, 12 ahead of Patrick Kane and the injured Toews.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Calgary, @ Phoenix, vs. Vancouver
Notes
Matt Duchene suffered an ankle injury and was projected to miss three-to-four weeks, but returned on Thursday after missing only 10 days. Gabriel Landeskog is looking more and more like the Calder Trophy winner. He now has 20 goals and 46 points this season and with his solid two-way play has taken over the perceived lead from the oft-injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Although he has slowed down after a hot start, Steve Downie has 11 points in 10 games with the Avs. He has 131 penalty minutes this season. Semyon Varlamov has been sensational in the shootout as he has given up only two goals in 21 shots in winning all seven contests.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
vs. Chicago, vs. Carolina, vs. Edmonton
Notes
The Blue Jackets are home for all three games this week. Steve Mason is healthy enough to back up Curtis Sanford after suffering a deep cut to his finger last week. The Blue Jackets were 0-20 last week on the power play and are now scoreless in their last 25 opportunities. Derek Dorsett, the NHL’s penalty leader, is out with an illness and should return on March 17, but they did get enforcer Jared Boll back in the lineup after missing over a month with a foot injury. Mark Letestu has five points in his last five games including three goals.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, vs. Vancouver, vs. Calgary
Notes
The Stars are rested on Thursday when they face a tired Vancouver team at home as the Canucks are in Chicago Wednesday. Mike Ribeiro has 54 points in 64 games and has to get red hot to hit the 70 point mark for the second straight season. Brenden Morrow finally returned after missing 18 games with neck/back problems. Sheldon Souray has been out of action for the last week after recently returning from a shoulder injury. Michael Ryder hit the 30 goal mark for the second time in his career.
DETROIT
Games this week
vs. Washington, @ New York Rangers, vs. Carolina
Notes
Detroit will be rested on Saturday when they face Carolina as the Hurricanes are in Columbus Friday. Pavel Datsyuk (knee) is hoping to return on St. Patrick’s Day. The word on Nicklas Lidstrom is not as good as he has missed the last eight games with an ankle injury and has barely begun to skate. Todd Bertuzzi is back after a groin injury forced him to miss four games. Jimmy Howard has returned but the Red Wings will not play him in back-to-back games yet so Joey MacDonald will continue to see action. Gustav Nyquist was returned to the minors after garnering a couple of assists in three games. He is someone to remember next season.
EDMONTON
Games this week
@ Nashville, @ Tampa Bay, @ Florida, @ Columbus
Notes
The Oilers play four times this week, all on the road, including three games in four nights. so expect to see Devan Dubnyk and Nikolai Khabibulin split the goaltending duties. They will be tired Friday when they are in Florida after playing in Tampa Bay the previous night. Ryan Smyth has been a fantasy dud of late with only 20 points in his last 48 games although overall he is not too shabby as he started off with 24 points in his first 22 games. Taylor Hall is up to 27 goals and should easily surpass the 30 goal mark for the first time in his career.
FLORIDA
Games this week
@ Philadelphia, @ Carolina, vs. Edmonton, vs. New York Islanders
Notes
The Panthers play three games in four nights so look for Jose Theodore to play three games with Scott Clemmensen getting the crease once. The Panthers will rely on Theodore down the stretch. They are tired on Wednesday in Carolina after playing the Flyers on Tuesday. They are rested twice this week, Friday versus the Oilers who play in Tampa Bay the night before, and on Sunday at home to the Islanders, who face Tampa Bay Saturday. Dmitry Kulikov (knee) has started skating and is hoping to return on March 17 after missing 23 games with the injury. Kris Versteeg is also hoping to return this week. Jason Garrison is having a great season as the defenseman has 15 goals.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
vs. San Jose, vs. St. Louis, vs. Boston
Notes
The Kings will be the rested team twice this week, first on Tuesday against San Jose who are in Anaheim Monday, and Thursday versus the Blues who are also in Anaheim but on Wednesday. Mike Richards has gone 25 games without finding the back of the net. Dustin Brown is on a nine-game scoring streak that coincides with his name popping up in trade rumors. He has 14 points in the nine games. Drew Doughty continues to disappoint this season with only nine goals and 30 points. He did have a goal and an assist with a plus-three effort on March 13 so perhaps he is starting to turn it around. Simon Gagne (concussion) isn't sure when he'll start participating in full-team practices, but it probably won't be this week. He could still be out for the remainder of the season.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Calgary, @ Buffalo, @ Washington
Notes
The Wild play four times this week, including three games in four nights so expect to see Matthew Hackett and Josh Harding (lower body) split the net. The Wild players will be tired on Sunday in Washington when they face the rested Capitals as they are in Buffalo Saturday. They are rested Saturday playing the Sabres as Buffalo is in New York to play the Rangers Friday. Mikko Koivu has been skating hard in practice and he could return as early as March 17 from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of action since February 16, a span of 13 games. Cal Clutterbuck returned to action on Tuesday after missing three games with an illness.
MONTREAL
Games this week
@ Buffalo, vs. Ottawa, @ Philadelphia
Notes
The Canadiens play three games in four nights so look for Peter Budaj to play once in place of Carey Price. They are tired Saturday in Philadelphia after playing Ottawa on Friday night. Josh Gorges leads all NHLers in blocked shots with 202. Erik Cole has four goals in his last three games to give him 27 this season. Scott Gomez suffered a concussion when hit by the Sabres Tyler Myers, a hit that got the Buffalo blueliner suspended for three games. The Canadiens finally got Andrei Markov back in the lineup and he picked up an assist in the game. It was his first game in 483 days as he had been out with a knee injury. Unfortunately, he is hurt again with an upper body injury. Alexei Emelin is out with an upper body injury.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Winnipeg, @ Chicago
Notes
The Predators play four times this week including three games in four nights. Expect to see Anders Lindback play once in place of Pekka Rinne. They are rested on Saturday when they take on Winnipeg who play in Washington Friday but the Predators are tired on Sunday when they are in Chicago as they play the aforementioned Jets Saturday. There is huge news in Nashville as Alexander Radulov could return to the fold after playing in Russia the last four seasons. He last played in 2007-08 with the Predators, scoring 26 goals as a 21-year-old. His return will provide a great boost for Nashville heading into the playoffs. Defenseman Roman Josi is day-to-day with an upper body injury. David Legwand has been a fantasy gem since teaming up with the Kostitsyn brothers.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, @ Ottawa, vs. Toronto, @ Pittsburgh
Notes
The Devils are rested on Sunday when they are in Pittsburgh as the Penguins take on the Senators in Ottawa Saturday. New Jersey will be tired when they face the Senators Tuesday as they are in New York Monday to face the Rangers. Martin Brodeur has been red-hot of late and is 11-6-1 with a 1.87 GAA and a .925 save percentage in his last 18 games. While Travis Zajac has been given the green light to skate harder, there is still no timetable for his return from his Achilles injury. Adam Henrique has not scored in his last 14 games but has picked up eight helpers. Ilya Kovalchuk had five goals and nine points in four games last week and was named the NHL’s second star.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Toronto, @ Tampa Bay, @ Florida
Notes
The Islanders are rested on Tuesday when they are in Toronto as the Maple Leafs face off against the Bruins in Boston Monday. They are tired Sunday when they face Florida as the Islanders are in Tampa Bay the previous night. John Tavares is having his best season in the NHL as he has 70 points in 71 games including 31 goals. P.A. Parenteau is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Mark Streit has five goals and 39 points but his minus-23 rating really hurts his fantasy value. Matt Moulson has 30 or more goals in each of the last three seasons.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. Detroit, vs. Buffalo, @ Toronto
Notes
The Rangers play four times this week including three games in four nights so expect to see Martin Biron to play once in place of Henrik Lundqvist. Ryan Callahan has been in and out of the lineup with a foot injury. Carl Hagelin has the plum assignment as the third member of the Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik line. Get him in your lineup as he has two goals and five points in his last two games. Gaborik hit the 35 goal mark on Thursday.
OTTAWA
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, @ Montreal, vs. Pittsburgh
Notes
The Senators will be rested on Tuesday when they take on New Jersey who take on the Rangers Monday. They are tired on Sunday when they are home to the rested Penguins as the Senators are in Montreal Saturday. Look for Craig Anderson (finger) to return by this week at the latest, with Ben Bishop backing him up. Erik Karlsson is having an amazing season as the defenseman has 19 goals and 70 points in 70 games this season. He looks like the Norris Trophy winner this season. Ottawa prospect Jakob Silfverberg has been named 2011-12's most valuable player in the Swedish Elite League. He could be in North America as early as next season.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
vs. Florida, vs. Washington, vs. Montreal
Notes
The Flyers are rested on Saturday when they host the Canadiens as Montreal will be tired after playing Ottawa on Friday. Ilya Bryzgalov had three straight shutouts and came within 6:30 of his fourth straight shutout. He was the NHL’s first star of the week. He is the hottest goalie in the NHL at this time. Pavel Kubina has missed the last five games with an upper body injury. Daniel Briere broke a 23 game goalless drought with a goal on Tuesday. Jakub Voracek returned on Tuesday after missing three games with a back injury. Kimmo Timonen returned after missing five games with a back injury.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Colorado, @ San Jose, vs. St. Louis
Notes
The Coyotes play four times this week including three games in four nights so Jason LaBarbera could get one start in place of Mike Smith. The Coyotes will be tired on Sunday when they play the rested Blues as they take on the Sharks Saturday. Ray Whitney has five assists in his last three games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been scoring of late as he has a goal in each of his last three games. He’s chipped in with two assists as well. David Rundblad was returned to the minors after a four game stint with the big club.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Nashville, @ Ottawa, vs. New Jersey
Notes
The Penguins play three games in four nights this week so look for Brad Thiessen to play once in place of Marc-Andre Fleury. They are rested on Saturday when they face a tired Senators squad who are in Montreal Friday. The tables are turned Sunday as they take on a rested New Jersey team. Sidney Crosby returned to action on Thursday after being out since December 5 with concussion-like symptoms. He had an assist and was plus-three. Kris Letang also returned from a head injury on Thursday so it looks like the Penguins are back at close to full strength. Evgeni Malkin is one point up on Steve Stamkos in the race for the Art Ross Trophy.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, @ Phoenix
Notes
The Blues are the top team in the NHL at this time. They are on the road for all three and are the tired team Thursday when they take on Los Angeles after playing in Anaheim on Wednesday. They are the rested team Sunday in Phoenix as the Coyotes will be tired after playing in San Jose Saturday. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk are two of the best young defensemen in the NHL and the Blues are lucky to have both offensive studs.Andy McDonald is injured once again as he hurt his shoulder Thursday in the second period. He missed 51 games earlier in the season with a concussion. Jaroslav Halak was the third star of the week as he had three wins.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Anaheim, @ Los Angeles, vs. Boston, vs. Phoenix
Notes
The Sharks play four times this week including three in four games so look for Thomas Greiss to play at least once instead of Antti Niemi. They are rested Monday when they play a tired Anaheim team who face Nashville on Sunday but are tired Tuesday when they take on a rested Kings squad. Martin Havlat returned to the San Jose lineup on Thursday after missing 39 games with a torn hamstring. He played on the second line with Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe and should be in someone’s fantasy lineup in anything other than the shallowest of pools. Logan Couture hit the 30 goal plateau for the second straight season.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Buffalo, vs. Edmonton. vs. New York Islanders
Notes
Steve Stamkos hit the 50 goal mark for the second time in his career and looks to be a sure bet to win the Rocket Richard Trophy as his lead is 11 goals over Evgeni Malkin with a little over three weeks left in the season. Vincent Lecavalier could return this week from a hand injury. Mathieu Garon is out for a few more weeks but Dwayne Roloson did not immediately take over as the starter as recent call up Dustin Tokarski took over. The Lightning scored a power play goal this past week and it was the first time in 11 goals that Teddy Purcell failed to garner a point.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ Boston, vs. New York Islanders, @ New Jersey, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Maple Leafs will be tired on Tuesday when they are home to the rested Islanders as they play in Boston on Monday. James Reimer has started the last two games after Jonas Gustavsson got five straight starts for new head coach Randy Carlyle. The Maple Leafs have crashed and burned as they went 2-14-2 during an 18 game stretch before defeating the Lightning on Thursday. Nikolai Kulemin may be gone for the season with a broken finger. Jake Gardiner scored a beautiful goal against the Lightning and it looks like Toronto has a bona fide number one defenseman in their future.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
@ Minnesota, @ Chicago, @ Dallas, @ Colorado
Notes
The Canucks play four times this week, all on the road, including three games in four nights so look for Cory Schneider to play at least once in place of Roberto Luongo. They are rested Wednesday when they take on Chicago who play in Columbus the previous night. They are tired on Thursday when they are in Dallas to face the Stars. Coach Alain Vigneault switched up his lineup this past week and Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin find themselves on a line with Mason Raymond while Alex Burrows is playing alongside Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen. Aaron Rome is back in the lineup as Marc-Andre Gragnani will be a healthy scratch on the blueline. Manny Malhotra is out of the lineup in the foreseeable future as he deals with some personal issues. Alex Burrows is now playing up front on the first power play unit with the Sedin twins as Ryan Kesler and Alexander Edler are on the point. Sami Salo was demoted to the second unit.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
@ Detroit, @ Philadelphia, vs. Winnipeg, vs. Minnesota
Notes
The Capitals play four times including three games in four nights so look for Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth to share the net. The Capitals are tired on Friday when they take on the rested Jets as Washington is in Philadelphia Thursday. They are rested Sunday as their opponents, the Minnesota Wild, are in Buffalo Saturday. Nicklas Backstrom has been practicing hard of late as he attempts to come back from a concussion suffered on January 3. Evgeny Kuznetsov announced his intention to remain in the KHL next season and the Capitals are definitely disappointed that their first round in the 2010 Entry Draft will not be in North America next season. Brooks Laich has been centering Alex Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson of late and has three goals and four points in his last five games.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, @ Washington, @ Nashville
Notes
Winnipeg will be a rested team facing a tired Washington team on Friday but are the tired team on Saturday when they play the Predators. The Winnipeg Jets own the league's top ranked power play on home ice this season with 30 goals in 120 opportunities. After playing in just one of the Jets past 12 games, Zach Bogosian (wrist) is hoping to return to action on March 16 against the Capitals. Despite missing over a month of action earlier in the season, Dustin Byfuglien is now a top-five scoring defenseman with 44 points. Blake Wheeler leads the Jets with 41 assists and 58 points.