Another young King on the rise has been a scorching of late Tanner Pearson, who has collected 4 goals and 1 assist since returning from a two-game suspension.  The departure of LW Milan Lucic has helped create more opportunity for the youngster to take another offensive step. He is currently skating on the 2nd power-play unit, but playing with Jeff Carter at even strength helps...Victor Rask has been the top center for Carolina, collecting 6 points over 5 games and largely not owned in most fantasy leagues. Ditto for Lee Stempniak who has clicked on a unit with Rask and Jeff Skinner. The latter is long gone but the first two could be solid fantasy assets while they are hot.... I am never fully in on Artem Anisimov because of lack  of pp time, but firmly entrenched in Kane/Panarin line. However, another hot start and now am buying in to some early season hype. Just don't expect his ceiling to surpass 50-55 points, but his floor has made him a safer pick.  On defense, you can take the veteran route and consider Cam Fowler on Anaheim. While off to a hot start, his offensive stats had diminished under former coach Bruce Boudreau. The new coaching change brings back Randy Carlyle under whom Fowler enjoyed a 40-point rookie season and all the powerplay minutes he could handle. Grab him if he is available. Philip Larsen was signed by Vancouver In the offseason to run the power play. He started off slow but he has three helpers over the last 2 times. I would mention Columbus hotshot rookie Zach Werenski but the window to snag him has closed in most leagues. 

Artem Anisimov, Chicago- Patrick Kane is riding a massive 16-game streak and the 27-year old center has reaped the rewards of late. Anisimov is currently on his own 5-game point streak and is sitting on 15 points in 21 games. Not enough power play time to justify a huge breakout, but playing with Kane could easily lead to surpassing his previous career high of 44 points. 55 plus anyone?   Teddy Purcell, Edmonton- With all the high draft picks on the Oilers roster, it's easy not to notice Purcell's play lately but he has heated up while on the top line with Taylor Hall. Seven points over the last six games should have him on your radar, given that his line should provide the bulk of scoring while Connor McDavid is out. As long as keeps the gig, he could be a decent fantasy contributor for awhile.   Melker Karlsson, San Jose- In this case, playing with the two Joes on the top line-Thornton and Pavelski-has it's fantasy merits as Ksrlsson has collected 4 points in 6 games since season debut. He clicked with them in spurts last season so definitely keep tabs on the youngster.    Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia- The long-term injury to Mark Streit has given the 22-year old a crack at the top power-play unit and the early returns are encouraging- 2 points in 4 games. This one qualifies as a deep sleeper alert as I thought MDZ would be the heir apparent in Streit's absence. Given the moment, the youngster should at least be on your radar.   Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg-the youngster now has a chance to take at stab at the full-time gig with Ondrej  Pavelec being injured with significant knee sprain.  His numbers are rather modest this season as compared to his hot stretch in '14-15, but hex should be motivated to play well over the next few games. Watch him closely as he is slated to start tonight and could go a long away in getting more playing time with a few good consecutive starts. 

The trio of Pavel Datsyuk (2G, A), Henrik Zetterberg (2A) and Gustav Nyquist (2 PPG, A) proved to be too much for the LA Kings as they combined for 8 points in the 5-2 win. Tomas Tatar also scored showing that the changing of the guard in Detroit is well underway... Jimmy Howard is playing like a man possessed as he is putting last year's off-year behind him, posting a line of 5-1-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .929 SP, making him one of the top goaltenders so far this year. This could be his best year yet.... The injuries are starting to take their toll on the Columbus Blue Jackets as they dropped to 4-6-0 after a 7-1-0 pre-season. Ryan Johansen and Cam Atkinson are their main offensive weapons up front but until players like Sergei Bobrovsky, James Wisniewski, Boone Jenner and Artem Anisimov return to the lineup, it will be tough sledding.... Anaheim's Frederik Andersen raised his record to 7-1-0 with a 2-1 overtime win against Dallas on the road. It was a big win for the Ducks, and especially Andersen who seems to be in a sharing situation with rookie John Gibson even though his numbers are worthy of a no. 1 status. It appears that this will be a platoon situation as they don't want either young goaltender to ride the pine for too long, with both needing to play to get into any rhythm. Calgary 4-Nashville 3:  Some things to bring out of this contest is that Nashville's James Neal is getting comfortable playing alongside Mike Ribeiro & Company as he potted 2 goals last night, giving him 7 on the year....Calgary's T.J. Brodie scored his 4th goal of the year giving him 9 points in 12 games, already matching last year's goal production. Brodie is the real deal....At 4-2-1 with a 1.82. GAA and .941 SP, Jonas Hiller is going to make playing the Flames very tough this year.....Both Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist apiece against Nashville showing that Calgary has a bright future in front of them, and if they can just prove to be a bit more consistent, that future can be later this year.

Anisimov left Tuesday's game and did not return after being hit by Eric Gryba. Anisimov suffered a concussion on the play and Gryba could face supplementary discipline for the incident. Concussion are hard to predict, but as of right now, the Blue Jackets are hopeful he will miss just one week.

Anisimov missed Thursday's game to be with his wife for the birth of their child. He will return vs. the Wild tomorrow and bring with him six goals and one assist in his last seven games.

Anisimov was expected to miss tonight's game after his wife gave birth to their child this morning. Matt Frattin draws into the lineup.

Anisimov was not at the Blue Jackets morning skate because he is at the hospital with his wife waiting for the birth of their child. There is no official word on whether or not he will play tonight, but he is likely a game-time decision.

Lots of action in the NHL yesterday with 10 games played. Ottawa and Winnipeg played an afternoon game with the Senators prevailing 5-3.  Both Ales Hemsky and Jason Spezza had 3 assists for Ottawa. Hemsky is having a disappointing season with only 29 points in 57 games.  Spezza is doing a lot better with 50 points in 59 games played, but I would have expected him to be a point per game player.  Craig Anderson was terrific in goal with 46 saves as the Jets really carried the play. Unfortunately for fantasy players he has not that way for most of the season as his 3.08 GAA and .908 SP would indicate.  Well now he is 4-0 as the goaltender for the St. Louis Blues.  It's Miller time!  26 saves for Ryan as the Blues beat Colorado 2-1.  Miller has a 1.50 GAA and a .933 SP for the Blues.  Talk about being rejuvenated, Miller is now on fire in St. Louis.  He will be one of the top fantasy goalies for the rest of the season.  Toronto beat Philadelphia 4-3 as right wing Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist, but with only 38 points on the season has been a disappointment. Defenseman Kimmo Timonen doubled his goal production on the year with 2 goals. With 26 points on the season he is at best a marginal 6th forward.  Defenseman Johnny Boychuk had a good night for Boston with a goal and an assist in their 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. We once thought that Boychuk would be more of a scorer, but he has settled into more of a defensive defenseman with only 19 points on the year. Center Carl Soderberg had a goal and an assist as well for the Bruins, but with only 35 points on the season he is not worth looking at. Tuukka Rask got his 24th win, but he only made 17 saves. Still a win is a win!  The Devils outlasted Carolina 5-4 as a bevy of disappointing players finally had good nights.  Devils forward Travis Zajac had a goal and 2 assists, but he has only 34 points on the year. Adam Henrique had 2 goals for New Jersey, but with 38 points in 65 games played he has not stepped his game up this season. Finally, Alexander Semin had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, but again he has only 35 points on the year. Jaroslav Halak had 31 saves and looked sharp in goal in his debut performance with Washington after his trade from St. Louis, as the Capitals beat Phoenix 3-2. We will have to wait and see how the Capitals goaltending situation settles out. Defenseman Keith Yandle had 2 assists for Phoenix, and this guy is fantasy money in the bank with 7 goals and 43 points on the ...

Lots of action in the NHL yesterday with 10 games played. Ottawa and Winnipeg played an afternoon game with the Senators prevailing 5-3.  Both Ales Hemsky and Jason Spezza had 3 assists for Ottawa. Hemsky is having a disappointing season with only 29 points in 57 games.  Spezza is doing a lot better with 50 points in 59 games played, but I would have expected him to be a point per game player.  Craig Anderson was terrific in goal with 46 saves as the Jets really carried the play. Unfortunately for fantasy players he has not that way for most of the season as his 3.08 GAA and .908 SP would indicate.  Well now he is 4-0 as the goaltender for the St. Louis Blues.  It's Miller time!  26 saves for Ryan as the Blues beat Colorado 2-1.  Miller has a 1.50 GAA and a .933 SP for the Blues.  Talk about being rejuvenated, Miller is now on fire in St. Louis.  He will be one of the top fantasy goalies for the rest of the season.  Toronto beat Philadelphia 4-3 as right wing Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist, but with only 38 points on the season has been a disappointment. Defenseman Kimmo Timonen doubled his goal production on the year with 2 goals. With 26 points on the season he is at best a marginal 6th forward.  Defenseman Johnny Boychuk had a good night for Boston with a goal and an assist in their 4-3 win over Tampa Bay. We once thought that Boychuk would be more of a scorer, but he has settled into more of a defensive defenseman with only 19 points on the year. Center Carl Soderberg had a goal and an assist as well for the Bruins, but with only 35 points on the season he is not worth looking at. Tuukka Rask got his 24th win, but he only made 17 saves. Still a win is a win!  The Devils outlasted Carolina 5-4 as a bevy of disappointing players finally had good nights.  Devils forward Travis Zajac had a goal and 2 assists, but he has only 34 points on the year. Adam Henrique had 2 goals for New Jersey, but with 38 points in 65 games played he has not stepped his game up this season. Finally, Alexander Semin had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, but again he has only 35 points on the year. Jaroslav Halak had 31 saves and looked sharp in goal in his debut performance with Washington after his trade from St. Louis, as the Capitals beat Phoenix 3-2. We will have to wait and see how the Capitals goaltending situation settles out. Defenseman Keith Yandle had 2 assists for Phoenix, and this guy is fantasy money in the bank with 7 goals and 43 points on the ...

Nathan Horton- Columbus Blue Jackets, RW(Owned in 68.5% of ESPN leagues) After missing 40 games recovering from shoulder surgery, Horton's debut for his new club on Thursday night was a huge success as he scored the game-winning goal on the power-play against Phoenix. Although he was held scoreless in the following game against St. Louis, the feisty forward is already occupying a spot on the top line with Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov. He is also getting a boatload of power-play minutes which should translate to solid offensive production. Grab him if he is available. The window of opportunity is quickly closing. Shane Doan- Phoenix Coyotes, RW (Owned in 79.5% of ESPN leagues) The Phoenix captain is back for the Coyotes after missing nearly a month due to illness. He was having a great season prior to injury, collecting 23 points in 27 games. The Coyote offense took a dip during his absence, so you know that Head Coach Dave Tippett will again rely on Doan as a primary source of scoring. Never known as a huge point-producer, Doan has scored 60+ points 6 times during his career. Based on his solid numbers in '13-14, he is well worth a waiver pickup. Just like Horton, get him before it's too late. Andrew MacDonald-NYI, D (Owned in 70.6% of ESPN leagues) The 27-year old rearguard has become the Islander's primary scoring option on defense with Lubomir Visnovsky out due to a concussion. Among the "hotter" scoring defensemen flying under the radar,he has collected seven assists in his last seven games. Well worth taking a flier on, but keep in mind that there has been heavy speculation that the impending UFA might be moved before the trading deadline. His fantasy value can drastically plummet if he is moved to a team looking for a quality depth pickup. No power-play time would render his fantasy value marginal at best. Dennis Wideman- Calgary Flames, D (owned in 49.5 % of ESPN leagues) Another injured former All-Star has is back in the fold, as Calgary's best offensive defenseman has returned this week. With 12 points in 24 games, the hard-shooting blueliner was quietly on a 40-point pace. Given the dearth of offensive weapons for the Flames, he will be a big part of their power play moving forward. Pick him up ASAP if you need help on "D". Anton Khudobin- Carolina Hurricanes, D (owned in 22.1% of ESPN leagues) Since coming off the injured reserve, Khudobin has won 3 straight games in net for the Hurricanes. With a 5-0 record and a 1.99 GAA, the...