Good morning! Fresh cup of hot coffee and I'm ready to roll! We have a new point leader in the NHL this morning and he goes by the name of Jakub Voracek. And to think I traded him in the off-season for a 2nd round pick. Ugh! I have to say that Boston is doing a good job of hanging in there with the injuries they've had. It is amazing how at the drop of a dime, a player's fantasy value can change. I'm talking about a player like Justin Faulk who had been a bust and then all of sudden he's the hottest thing since sliced bread. Quietly, Claude Giroux is only 5 points behind team mate Voracek for the NHL lead in points. Patrice Bergeron is a true leader, so very under-rated and he just does it all. And he is still only 29. It feels like he has been around forever. Dallas needs to find some consistency in their game. Those LA-Anaheim matchups are sure fun to watch. The Ducks sure miss Corey Perry. Mumps?  Really?  OF all the things that can sideline a hockey player, mumps? I guess after giving up 6 goals a game for three straight, the Buffalo Sabres decided to put up 6 themselves against a flat Toronto team on Saturday. Zemgus Girgensons sounds more like a Dr. Seuss character than a hockey player, but I'm sure Buffalo fans are happy as a Who. I suppose now that the Sabres can go back on a losing streak since they won one. It was couples night in Montreal, or should I say pair's night. Braden Schenn, P.A. Parenteau, and Dale Weise (really) each had 2 goals. Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, Sergei Gonchar, Andrei Markov, and NHL-points leader Voracek all had 2 assists in the game. Alex Galchenyuk wanted to stand out so he had 3 assists. Cory Schneider has started all 18 games for the New Jersey Devils so far this year. I really think he should get a night off, but maybe he is like a bionic goalie or something. That NY Ranger-Pittsburgh was something to watch. It had everything in it.  Fights, hard hitting, a few goals (except for Crosby-again), spectacular saves, overtime, and a shootout.  It even had Crosby complaining to the refs all night.  Oh wait, doesn't he do that every game? Martin St. Louis is heating up. With the return of Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle to the lineup, he should be producing more frequently. The Blue Jackets are sure glad to have Sergei Bobrovsky back in the crease. They were lost, and losing, without him.  He may have come back just in time to save their season. Pekka Rinne wins again! I have to say that Winnipeg's G Ondrej Pavelec has ...

Cold, windy autumn day here in New York but I've got my hot cup of Joe right in front of me. There were a lot of significant happenings for fantasy owners last night. Some important fantasy players broke the ice or showed signs of life finally.  Boston's defense seems to be awakening as Zdeno Chara got his 2nd goal, Jason Krug got his 1st and Dougie Hamilton scored his 1st and added an assist. Chara had 7 SOG; out to prove critics wrong about his decline. 2 players that should be added; one for this season and the other for this season and beyond. LW Nick Foligno has 7 points in 5 games for Columbus while Alex Galchenyuk has 6 points in 6 games but is ready to breakout in this his 3rd NHL season. Washington has embraced Barry Trotz' system and is 3-0-2. It's going to be a real dogfight in the Metropolitan division this year. Patric Hornqvist is going to have one huge year in Pittsburgh it seems. 12 SOG last night.  It was good to see Logan Couture have a big game with a goal and 2 assists.   He could be San Jose's leading point-getter this season. Huge overtime win for Philadelphia in Dallas last night.  Huge. Jonas Gustavsson played big last night, blanking his former team the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 in overtime. Dion Phaneuf had 6 SOG on goal but his best days as far as big fantasy point-getter are behind him. The Ottawa Senators are surprising me with their play. Are they surprising you? Ottawa G Robin Lehner looks like the promising young goaltender everyone has been waiting for. 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and a .950 SP.  Don't slip Mr. Anderson. Erik Karlsson had 7 SOG last night. Big night for defensemen taking lots of shots.  Matt Duchene, not a defenseman, had 10 SOG for Colorado last night. I really like Galchenyuk this year. I really do. Do the Devils think that with adding this offense they can give up playing defense? If they combine who they used to be with their new offense, they could be dangerous. Mike Cammalleri loves playing in New Jersey it seems with 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games. This Damon Severson kid looks like he's the real deal on defense for the Devils, doesn't he? A lot of people have the Islanders making the playoffs this year. I think they just miss out.  Sorry, I just don't see it. Claude Giroux is waking up earlier than he did last year. Watch out! This Tyler Seguin has his sights on the Art Ross Trophy this year, but Sid the Kid will have something to say about that. Take a look at Dallas D-man Trevor Daley as he has 3 ...

It's so nice when the air is crisp, hockey is back and my coffee is hot! I think it's safe to say Sidney Crosby loves Mike Johnston's system. Sid the Kid already has 6 points in only 2 games which comes out to 246 for the year at that pace.  Does anyone doubt that he could do it?  If anyone can, he could. Who would've thought that Tomas Plekanec would be a point behind Crosby in the scoring race? Sell high, LOL. One thing though about Plekanec, if Alex Galchenyuk has the breakout year that I am expecting, he could have a career year, or at least be a solid bottom end forward on your fantasy squad. Braden Holtby is already putting last year behind him. Barry Trotz' system is going to work wonders for "the Holt". If only Darcy Kuemper could play Colorado every game. You just knew Colorado wasn't going to get off to a great star like last year.  That surprise factor is gone. Alex Ovechkin had 2 goals and 7 SOG in yesterday's game against Boston. That's 11 SOG in 2 games.  He isn't hurting in Trotz' system either. Johnny Boychuk fits right in with the Islanders. He can have a tremendous year playing the point for Tavares.  I think the Boston Bruins will miss Jarome Iginla but not the other way around. I think Toronto needs to find themselves quickly. They can't afford to get off to a poor start like the Flyers did last season if they want to make the playoffs. I guess all those questions about Evgeni Malkin's pre-season status are answered now. The elite veterans like Malkin and Tavares know what the training camp is for, and they know that the regular season is when it matters. I might have been a bit light in my predictions for Patric Hornqvist this year. He had a goal and an assist last night, BUT he had 9 SOG.  If he continues with that type of effort, congrats to all who drafted him. Everyone on Montreal had at least 1 SOG last night except for Malhotra, Prust and Wiese. Those guys you don't expect to have SOG, they play different roles. Although they have given up 12 goals in just 3 games, the Philadelphia goaltending will get better. New Jersey is tied for the league lead in goals by a team with 11, and that in just 2 games. We are talking about the Devils here, right? Wayne Simmonds is a beast! I just love Victor Hedman this year! He's probably my man-crush for the season. Welcome back to the NHL Robin Lehner! We missed you last year.  I think last year is one young Mr. Lehner would soon like to forget. Is Tampa Bay waiting for Jonathan Drouin to ...

If it wasn't for goalie Carey Price getting knocked out of the series, it could have been the Montreal Canadiens playing against the Los Angeles Kings for the right to hoist the Cup.  Apparently fully recovered from his knee injury, Price looks to lead the Habs back to the Promised Land.  Gone are Thomas Vanek, Brian Gionta and Daniel Briere. Vanek didn't pan out and was often pointed out as the scapegoat.  Gionta and Briere will be missed for their leadership and playoff experience.  PA Parenteau and Tom Gilbert were brought in for depth purposes. Will the Canadiens have what it takes to get back again this year? GOALIES At 27-years of age, Price is entering his prime and has adapted to the pressure of being Montreal's starting goaltender. At 34-20-5, he almost matched his career best in 2010-2011 when he had a 38-28-6 record and his metrics were almost identical.  Now that he is a bit more seasoned, expect more consistency from Price going forward.  Peter Budaj will serve as backup again but if he falters, I'm sure the Canadiens won't hesitate to bring up last year's playoff darling, Dustin Tokarski. DEFENSE There is no denying the fire in P.K. Subban's belly but if he can control that emotion and funnel it into the game, he will be extremely dangerous. Look for Subban to mature a bit this season.  Andrei Markov seems to have rid himself of the injury bug and now has played in 2 back-to-back seasons, although one was the shortened 48-game Lockout season. Markov will still get you around the mid-40 level in points.  FORWARDS They may not have the elite name like a Crosby, Stamkos or an Ovechkin, but the Habs can throw out a few solid lines at you. Max Pacioretty along with David Desharnais, form the top pairing and should lead the team in offense. One player to keep your eye on this year is Alex Galchenyuk. This kid packs a tremendous amount of talent that it is just a matter of time before he explodes.  He has shown flashes, but not the consistency.  Slated to play on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Parenteau, these veterans just may be able to bring out his best. Brendan Gallagher is an energetic player that packs a scoring touch. For deeper leagues, Lars Eller could have a breakout year as he has been steadily improving every year. PROSPECTS Two defensive prospects, Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu, are close to joining the club but far from making an impact. Other players are perhaps a season or two away from being any kind of factor. ...

Galchenyuk will be playing in his first game since April 9th. He will skate on the Habs second line with Tomas Plekanec and Thomas Vanek. Michael Bournival will take a seat with Galchenyuk back in. He had one goals and two assists in five playoff games in 2012-13.

Galchenyuk has not played since April 9th because of a lower-body injury that he suffered that night vs. the Blackhawks. Galchenyuk recorded 13 goals and 18 assists (31 points) with a minus-12 rating in 65 games this season. If he returns to the lineup tonight, Micheal Bournival is expected to be scratched.

Galchenyuk left Wednesday's game in the first period and did not return to the contest. Early reports are that he will not be ready for the start of the first round, and could potentially miss the whole round. Galchenyuk had a modest three-game point streak snapped last night. He has totalled 31 points (13G / 18A) in 65 games this season.

Steven Stamkos returned to the Tampa Bay lineup last night and although the Bolts lost to the lowly Sabres, he acquitted himself quite well after a long layoff. Playing on a top line with Alex Killorn and Teddy Purcell, the star center was held scoreless but registered 5 shots on goal. There will be an adverse effect on his fantasy value without the great Martin St. Louis by his side, but Stamkos is good for 85-90 points a season regardless of who he lines up with. Give him a few games and the points will come. BTW, keep your eye on Purcell, who has definitely received a fantasy boost if he becomes the second scoring option on the Lightning. No points for Marian Gaborik in his Los Angeles King's debut, but the Slovakian sniper was skating with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on the first line. His addition to the top power-play slides Mike Richards down to the second unit. I am liking the chances here for solid offensive production from the Kings here on out, given that they have two legitimate scoring lines to roll every night. "Gabby" will need a few games to click with Kopitar, but Richards will not with Jeff Carter. The two have been linemates since their Philly days, so expect a modest rise in fantasy value for Richards. Thomas Vanek had a quiet games for his new club in Montreal, playing on a second line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. I am not sold on him being a point-per-game performer moving forward, considering coach Michel Therrien's intentions to keep the top line of Desharnais-Pacioretty-Gallagher intact. However, if Vanek can eventually click with Alex Galchenyuk, then we might have ourselves a new no. 1 line in Habs Nation. We still need to see how the lines play out in Montreal. Keep tabs on the Islander's Anders Lee, who after scoring a goal in the overtime loss to Edmonton, now has four in the last five games since his AHL recall after the Olympic Break. Our own "Razor" has noticed, so make sure to check out his latest installation of Under The Raydar. The fantasy star of the night was the Dallas Star's Tyler Seguin, who turned in a masterful performance with a "hat trick" and two assists in the 6-1 romp of Vancouver. He now has collected 4+ points on five different occasions this season, giving him 63 points(28G/35A) in 61 games. Jamie Benn was also huge with a goal and two helpers. Look for this duo to take another step toward fantasy stardom in '14-15, as they should develop more consistency while playing together in Year 2....

Steven Stamkos returned to the Tampa Bay lineup last night and although the Bolts lost to the lowly Sabres, he acquitted himself quite well after a long layoff. Playing on a top line with Alex Killorn and Teddy Purcell, the star center was held scoreless but registered 5 shots on goal. There will be an adverse effect on his fantasy value without the great Martin St. Louis by his side, but Stamkos is good for 85-90 points a season regardless of who he lines up with. Give him a few games and the points will come. BTW, keep your eye on Purcell, who has definitely received a fantasy boost if he becomes the second scoring option on the Lightning. No points for Marian Gaborik in his Los Angeles King's debut, but the Slovakian sniper was skating with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on the first line. His addition to the top power-play slides Mike Richards down to the second unit. I am liking the chances here for solid offensive production from the Kings here on out, given that they have two legitimate scoring lines to roll every night. "Gabby" will need a few games to click with Kopitar, but Richards will not with Jeff Carter. The two have been linemates since their Philly days, so expect a modest rise in fantasy value for Richards. Thomas Vanek had a quiet games for his new club in Montreal, playing on a second line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. I am not sold on him being a point-per-game performer moving forward, considering coach Michel Therrien's intentions to keep the top line of Desharnais-Pacioretty-Gallagher intact. However, if Vanek can eventually click with Alex Galchenyuk, then we might have ourselves a new no. 1 line in Habs Nation. We still need to see how the lines play out in Montreal. Keep tabs on the Islander's Anders Lee, who after scoring a goal in the overtime loss to Edmonton, now has four in the last five games since his AHL recall after the Olympic Break. Our own "Razor" has noticed, so make sure to check out his latest installation of Under The Raydar. The fantasy star of the night was the Dallas Star's Tyler Seguin, who turned in a masterful performance with a "hat trick" and two assists in the 6-1 romp of Vancouver. He now has collected 4+ points on five different occasions this season, giving him 63 points(28G/35A) in 61 games. Jamie Benn was also huge with a goal and two helpers. Look for this duo to take another step toward fantasy stardom in '14-15, as they should develop more consistency while playing together in Year 2....

Galchenyuk last played on January 6, he has missed the last 15 games with a broken right hand. At Canadiens practice this afternoon he skated on the third line with Lars Eller and Rene Bourque. Monitor his status following the Habs morning skate on Wednesday, but it appears as if he will be in the lineup vs. the Red Wings.