~~Is a career year underway for Montreal's Max Pacioretty? His overtime game winner gives him 23 goals and 40 points on the season. He would need 17 goals and 26 points over the last 34 games to establish new career-highs in both offensive categories. He should be starting in all formats, while his new center man Tomas Plekanec might be worth a waiver grab if available. After allowing 16 goals over his last four starts, Goalie Petr Mrazek rebounded yesterday afternoon with a 22-save effort in the win over the a Islanders. However, the promising youngster could be heading back to minors soon with Jonas Gustavsson and Jimmy Howard close to returning. The Wings were be much better off having Mrazek play more games in the AHL and continue to develop rather than sitting behind Howard... A bunch of multiple point performers on display during Ottawa's 7-2 romp over Phoenix, including Mark Stone who now has registered points in 8 of last 9 games. He is on the cusp of being starteable in most leagues. Hopefully you heeded our advice during our last ADD'EM installation... So who you rather have starting for your fantasy team- Tuukka Rask or Jonathan Quick? Based on last night alone, the Boston goalie looks to be the better option but let's judge based on January's peripherals- Rask: 1.61 GAA and .949 SP/Quick: 3.18 GAA and .878 SP. Pretty one-sided just in case you hadn't realized... Rookie defenseman John Klingberg need to be picked up ASAP after his dominating 4-point effort in the unfriendly confines of Winnipeg. His 6 points in his last 2 games, the 22-year old has left Dallas defender Alex Goligoski "in the dust". Start him immediately as he doesn't appear to be fading anytime soon... Whats up with Michael Hutchinson? The Winnipeg goalie has given up nine goals over his last two starts. Despite the blip on the radar, he is the superior goalie over Ondrej Pavelec so no need to worry about diminishing fantasy returns.. So how many of you picked up Cam Talbot when "King Henrik" received his huge scare with a puck to the throat? Great thinking, but Lundqvist should be ok to resume his monstrous workload for the Rangers. BTW, Cam Ward was rewarded for his fine effort against the Blues with the start at MSG. Bad move as Anton Khudobin has owned the Blueshirts lately. Expect the Russian in the Carolina crease the next time out.. Michael Del Zotto now has points in six straight games. The 24-year old defender is worth a long fantasy look as he has been logging big ...

LEHT'S GET SERIOUS: KARI LEHTONEN There are a number of goalies who are considered elite NHL goaltenders and then there are those who are looking to establish themselves as bona fide starting goalies. Then you have Kari Lehtonen.  Well, perhaps Lehtonen belongs somewhere in between those two groups rather than in a group unto himself.  Lehtonen doesn't get the respect he deserves mainly because while in his early NHL playing days with the Atlanta Thrashers, he always seemed to incur a serious groin injury.  Although he would display periods of outstanding net minding, whenever he would get on a roll, he got himself injured. As a young goalie trying to establish himself in the NHL, nothing can be more harmful than groin injuries that keep prohibiting a player from sustaining any momentum. That history caused the Thrashers, now Winnipeg Jets, to trade their number 1 goalie on February 9, 2010 to Dallas for one-time prospect D-man Ivan Vishnevskiy and a 4th round pick. Neither of those players did anything for the Thrashers/Jets but Lehtonen probably has played his best in net since going to Big D.  The following season after the trade, "Lehts" appeared in 69 games and went 34-24-11 with 3 shutouts, a 2.55 GAA and a .914 SP. He appeared in 59 games the following season and 36 in the 48-game Lockout season so it looked like his injury woes were behind him.  Last season saw perhaps his most solid season with a 33-20-10 record, a 2.41 GAA and .919 SP.  You can see that when he is healthy, he is just on the cusp of being mentioned along with the elite of the NHL.  So far this season, he has appeared in 33 of the 38 games Dallas has played, starting in 12 of the last 14 and going 8-3-1 with 2 shutouts. Make no mistake. Lehtonen should be considered right up there with the elite when he's healthy, but if those injuries start to return, well, he will never get the respect he deserves. You know that Lehtonen is counted on for the Stars to have a chance to make the playoffs, so he will get every possible start from here on out. POST MARKS: OFF THE SCHNEID--After 2 seasons of sporting a 2.11 & 1.97 GAA, you would think that Cory Schneider and the New Jersey Devils would be all set in their post-Marty era. Well, things haven't gone according to plan for the Swamp Rats of New Jersey that they sacked their head coach and now have a three-headed monster behind the bench.  If any goalie can turn things around and quick, it's Schneider.  Having played the most games of ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! WISHING THE BEST OF HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND LOTS OF HOCKEY! A lot of games on NYE preceding the Winter Classic today pitting the Chicago Blackhawks against the Washington Capitals at Nationals Park. The game is scheduled to go off at 1:00 pm but expect delays because of sun glare on the ice making it difficult for the players to see.  Some previous games were delayed up to 2 hours, so be prepared.... It was all the Ryan-Strome-Frans Nielsen-Anders Lee last night for the NY Islanders as they defeated the Jets at Winnipeg. The Isles benefitted from playing against the lesser of their goalies in Ondrej Pavelec but the play of the SNL line was on point last night. Strome (G, 3A), Nielsen (2G, A) and Lee (G, A) combined for 9 points in the victory and 13 in last 2 games.  Perhaps you need to get one of these players in your lineup as it looks like there are heating up for the New Year....Jaroslav Halak won his 20th in 26 starts. Islander fans hope this performance carries over to 2015.... After losing their first matchup in Buffalo on December 2nd in a shootout, it has been all Tampa Bay in the next two, winning 5-0 2 days later and then 5-1 last to finish December with a 4-game winning streak. Ondrej Palat-Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov remain hot for the Bolts with the trio combining for 10 points matching the Islanders hot line. Everyone was expecting the Lightning to get bulk of their scoring from the Stamkos line but these youngsters are making a major impression right now.... Don't look now but it looks like the New York Rangers are the hottest team in the NHL right now as they are getting contributions from up and down their entire lineup and it all starts from G Henrik Lundqvist who is in the zone right now. Winners of 9 of their last 10, the Blueshirts have shaken off all doubts from earlier in the season and are looked primed to build for the playoffs.... If you haven't noticed the Dallas Stars are streaking right now going 8-2-0 to climb back into the playoff picture after struggling in the month of November. G Kari Lehtonen has been on a resurgence winning 8 of December starts, capping off 2014 with a 6-0 shutout of the Arizona Coyotes. Lehtonen is a solid number 2 goalie in all fantasy scenarios... SCRAPS San Jose's Antti Niemi posted a 3-0 shutout of the Anaheim Ducks raising his record to 15-8-4. The Sharks lost Joe Thornton to injury in the first period and he did not return to the game. More news on his injury as it ...

Let's start off with saying "Hat's off to Nick" as the cerebral passing machine known as Nicklas Backstrom collected his first career regular season "hat trick" in Washington's 4-2 win over Tampa Bay. His career high in goals scored was 33 in 2009-10, but he routinely falls in the 15-20 category. Meaning, don't get overly excited over his scoring explosion. His point-per-game ways will continue this season thanks to a healthy dose of assists.. Need to mention our second fantasy star of the night, Kris Letang who has played this season like a man on a mission, scoring another two goals in Pittsburgh's losing effort to Columbus. He has collected points in five straight games, plus goals in three straight. With 21 points on the season and injury-free again, get him in your starting line-ups ASAP.. Should we start to take Buffalo's goalie Jhonas Enroth seriously in all fantasy leagues? The streaking Swede did not enjoy his best night by any means but held on for his eighth win in his last ten starts. The Sabres have been gaining much confidence during this hot stretch and are even scoring some goals. When you see them defeating Florida and Calgary by the score of 4-3, then you know the team is trending upward. I say use Enroth as a solid no. 2 if your goaltending is struggling.. Tyler Seguin is the "man" again, scoring a goal and an assist in the 4-2 Dallas triumph over New Jersey. His 23 goals and 38 points leads the entire NHL, while his robust 118 SOG ranks him second. Superstar status has arrived.. Want to add that Jason Spezza is back on Seguin's line. His two points last night was no coincidence. Start him immediately... The formula is simple for Philly's offensive success- secondary scoring is a must and it's been on display over recent games. Third-line center Sean Couturier scored a goal in their 5-1 win over Carolina, extending his point to six games. Wayne Simmonds is back on one of his famous hot streaks, collecting the game-winner plus a helper so use him while he is on fire. The Flyers have been buzzing on offense as top dogs Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek continue to lead the way.. Where have you been, Mats? Despite sub-par offensive production at the quarter mark, Mr. Zuccarello sparked the 'Blueshirts to a 5-1 win over Vancouver with his two goals. With 13 points in 25 games, he is falling way short of his 59-point pace he set last season, but consider "buying low" on him. He was moved up to the Rick Nash-Derick Brassard line, which would ...

Let's start off with saying "Hat's off to Nick" as the cerebral passing machine known as Nicklas Backstrom collected his first career regular season "hat trick" in Washington's 4-2 win over Tampa Bay. His career high in goals scored was 33 in 2009-10, but he routinely falls in the 15-20 category. Meaning, don't get overly excited over his scoring explosion. His point-per-game ways will continue this season thanks to a healthy dose of assists.. Need to mention our second fantasy star of the night, Kris Letang who has played this season like a man on a mission, scoring another two goals in Pittsburgh's losing effort to Columbus. He has collected points in five straight games, plus goals in three straight. With 21 points on the season and injury-free again, get him in your starting line-ups ASAP.. Should we start to take Buffalo's goalie Jhonas Enroth seriously in all fantasy leagues? The streaking Swede did not enjoy his best night by any means but held on for his eighth win in his last ten starts. The Sabres have been gaining much confidence during this hot stretch and are even scoring some goals. When you see them defeating Florida and Calgary by the score of 4-3, then you know the team is trending upward. I say use Enroth as a solid no. 2 if your goaltending is struggling.. Tyler Seguin is the "man" again, scoring a goal and an assist in the 4-2 Dallas triumph over New Jersey. His 23 goals and 38 points leads the entire NHL, while his robust 118 SOG ranks him second. Superstar status has arrived.. Want to add that Jason Spezza is back on Seguin's line. His two points last night was no coincidence. Start him immediately... The formula is simple for Philly's offensive success- secondary scoring is a must and it's been on display over recent games. Third-line center Sean Couturier scored a goal in their 5-1 win over Carolina, extending his point to six games. Wayne Simmonds is back on one of his famous hot streaks, collecting the game-winner plus a helper so use him while he is on fire. The Flyers have been buzzing on offense as top dogs Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek continue to lead the way.. Where have you been, Mats? Despite sub-par offensive production at the quarter mark, Mr. Zuccarello sparked the 'Blueshirts to a 5-1 win over Vancouver with his two goals. With 13 points in 25 games, he is falling way short of his 59-point pace he set last season, but consider "buying low" on him. He was moved up to the Rick Nash-Derick Brassard line, which would ...

***UPDATE: Prime D rankings have been updated.  Check out the latest in our RANKINGS Section in the right margin====> Dan Boyle returned from injury and even though he didn't figure in the scoring, you could tell that the Rangers' offense was buzzing with him back in the lineup. Boyle will be a huge addition to the power play as his conditioning improves....Even though Colorado's Matt Duchene (G, A) is having what some are considering a slow start with 12 points in the first 18 games including last night's tilt, you need to stick with him as he could explode at any time..... Winnipeg was able to cool off red-hot goaltender Cam Ward as the Jets, behind Blake Wheeler's 2 goal effort. We all know that Wheeler has come into his own after last season's monster year, but keep your eyes on Mark Scheifele as he had 2 assists in the contest giving him 5 points in the past 5 games. If you are need of offensive help, pick him up now if he's available.  Before he got injured last season, he got on a good run with 19 points in a 23-game span midway through the season..... After starting out November 4-0-0, the Boston Bruins have gotten shallacked on back-to-back nights by scores of 6-1 and 5-1, although to division rivals. Is this the beginning of the end for the big, bad Bruins?  Far from it as they are too good of a team and will rebound.  Montreal's Max Pacioretty had 2 goals so get him in your lineup ASAP as he is one of the streakiest scorers in the NHL..... Tampa Bay Lightning G Ben Bishop was huge against the San Jose Sharks, turning aside 37 of 39 SOG but Antti Niemi was just a tad better, only letting in one on 33 SOG. Start both goaltenders with extreme confidence...Joe Thornton has points in 4 straight games with a goal in this one, giving fantasy owners hope that he is beginning to heat up.... The story in Minnesota is that the Wild prevailed 6-3 against the lowly Buffalo Sabres, despite Darcy Kuemper getting pulled after allowing two first-period goals. It is time for fantasy owners to pull the trigger on adding Josh Harding as Kuemper has struggled big-time in recent starts. Harding will get every opportunity to take the starting position, but how long he holds up is anyones's guess.. Nino Neiderreiter's "hat trick" could the start of a short streaky run, but nothing more.. Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon returned to a lineup, scoring a goal and registering 8 shots on goal. With all the injuries to Minny defenders, the youngster will get an uptick in ...

A few miscellaneous notes about some NHL goaltenders who have surprised so far, both good and bad - SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE style. Ryan Miller has certainly been a pleasant surprise so far as he leads the NHL with 10 wins. Good for Vancouver as they have recovered nicely from last year's Tortorella debacle. It is no surprise that Pekka Rinne is at the top of the win category as he is definitely recovered from last year's hip surgery/infection fiasco. His save percentage could be a tad better, but give the guy a break, he is sporting a sparkling 1.81 GAA. Probably the biggest surprise, to me at least, is the performance by Winnipeg's Ondrej Pavelec. He has started every game but one and his numbers back up that decision with a 1.98 GAA and .928 SP.  I never thought he would put up those kind of numbers.  I always wished he would when I had him on my fantasy teams, but it took him a few years I guess. Darcy Kuemper would have topped Pavelec especially after his 3 shutouts in his first 4 games of the season, but the bloom has fallen off that rose as he has given up 4 goals in each of the past 2 starts. Josh Harding has returned to practice after his team suspension for breaking his foot in the off-season. Harding may be a few weeks away from wrestling the starting job back. It took a few years, and a few teams, but Ben Bishop has finally landed in the right spot as Tampa Bay's no. 1. Since taking over the starter's job last year, Bishop has been nothing less than terrific.  37 wins last year and will probably reach 40+ this season. Cam Ward was left for dead after last season but one bad season, especially an injury-riddled one, should not be the reason to cast aside an established NHL starter.  After starting out 0-3-1 this season, most of those critics were probably rubbing their hands with satisfaction but true competitors always rise to the occasion.  November started a new month and a new life for Ward as he rattled off 5 wins in a row.  Ward is back as the no. 1 in Carolina. I would've expected better metrics out of Cory Schneider but he does have a 6-5-2 record and has started every game a la Martin Brodeur, so you know you have to stick with him. His numbers, 2.91 GAA and .906, should improve as the season progresses.  His play has been up and down already this season but should flat line soon. You may have recalled that there was a goaltending controversy brewing in San Jose at the beginning of the year about Alex Stalock getting a lot more starts ...

Niemi gave up three goals on 19 shots in the Sharks loss to the Canucks on Thursday. Despite the loss, Niemi still has nice numbers over his last five starts--he has gone 3-1-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .934 SV%. He draws a rough road matchup, but Niemi has gone 5-1-1 on the road so he is worth starting if you need goalie numbers.

Niemi gave up three goals on 19 shots in the Sharks loss to the Canucks on Thursday. Despite the loss, Niemi still has nice numbers over his last five starts--he has gone 3-1-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .934 SV%. He draws a rough road matchup, but Niemi has gone 5-1-1 on the road so he is worth starting if you need goalie numbers.