The highest scoring team in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs, were outscored by one of the lowest scoring teams, the Florida Panthers in a 6-4 shoot'em out battle in Miami, Florida. The Leafs had built a 4-2 lead going into the 3rd period but the Cats clawed back as they scored 4 unanswered goals as Roberto Luongo (18/22 SV) outlasted James Reimer (28/33 SV). The regulation win kept the Panthers close to a playoff spot....James van Riemsdyk, with a goal and assist, and Joffrey Lupul (2A) were the offensive sparks for Toronto while Dmitry Kulikov (G, A) and Jussi Jokinen (2A) were their counterparts for Florida.... Heading over to the West Coast, it was the Anaheim Ducks prevailing over the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in overtime as G Frederik Andersen turned aside 12 of 13 SOG getting a relatively easy night in back-to-back starts. Andersen has now started 20 of 21 games for the Ducks and it looks like backup Ilya Bryzgalov will only be seeing spot duty every now and then....D Cam Fowler scored the game-winner and now has 7 points in 13 December games. This may be a good "buy-low" situation on the Anaheim defenseman.

Kulikov left Saturday's game after a collision with Lance Bouma. He had an MRI and the results were encouraging as he did not sustain any serious damage to his knee. He will likely be sidelined for a little while, but it sounds like he avoided going on the shelf for an extended period of time. He will be replaced by Colby Robak if he can't play tomorrow.

Finishing next to last was a minor victory considering they finished last in the Eastern Conference the year before, and that was during the Lockout season. When the leading scorer on your team is a rookie who had only 11 games of NHL experience before last season, and he led with all of 38 points, you know you are in for some growing pains.  The veterans brought in were nothing but brittle or, for lack of a better term, non-impactful.  The youth movement is in full swing and it will be interesting to see how the remaining vets respond if the team doesn't get off to a good start. GOALIES In what was mainly a shock at the trade deadline last season, Roberto Luongo returned to South Florida after it seemed like he had put all the differences with Vancouver management behind him and had been playing well for the Canucks. Jacob Markstrom, who did nothing to stake his claim as the Number 1 net minder in Florida, was the main piece in the trade going back the other way.  Needless to say, the trade was a shock to most people, much like the draft day trade of Cory Schneider last June.  Luongo will be very busy as the Cats try to form some semblance of an NHL team.  Luongo's SP and GAA will suffer a little, but then again, maybe he will thrive while back in familiar settings and the extra workload.  His total saves should increase, but that is not necessarily a good thing as his win totals will probably suffer as a result.  Dan Ellis and Al Montoya will battle for backup duties. DEFENSE Brian Campbell leads the young defensive corps and will be counted on for his leadership as well as his offensive production. Campbell fell a point short of the team lead in points by going 7-30-37 in playing all 82 games.  He should be able to climb back into the 40 range, but his +/- takes a hit on a growing team. Erik Gudbranson and Dmitry Kulikov have a few years under their belts now but still need some time to mature.  Gudbranson and Kulikov may develop into more of a stay-at-home defensive types as their scoring hasn't been much to be desired early on in their NHL careers.  Alex Petrovic has some offensive upside but may need more seasoning in the minors.  Dylan Olsen, a Dale Tallon Chicago draft pick, was brought over from Chi town and will start to see more time in the NHL but don't expect much production. FORWARDS The Panthers need their young forward talent to develop quickly as the veterans don't seem to have what it takes to carry the load. Jonathan Huberdeau ...

Many fantasy insiders have tabbed young Valeri Nichuskin of Dallas as a breakout candidate in '14-15. The 18-year old played well above his years last season, collecting 34 points in 79 games as mostly a first-liner. While a point jump is expected as a sophomore, we all need to temper our expectations regarding this projected "Jaromir Jagr" clone. 50 points should be in his "wheelhouse", but power-play time will still be minimal. He should be a much bigger fantasy factor in 2015 and beyond.3rd overall pick Leon Draisaitl has been signed by the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-year, entry-level contract. After tearing it up in the WHL with 38 goals and 105 points in 64 games, the talented youngster could be in the running for a 2nd/3rd line center position with a strong camp. The departure of Sam Gagner has left a top-six void, but can journeyman Marc Arcobello land that spot? It should be an interesting competition to watch.According to the St. Petersberg Times, Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop hasn't healed fully from his post-season wrist surgery. While he seems very confident that he will be ready to roll by training camp, fantasy owners need to be wary of drafting him too early. Showing plenty of "wear and tear" late in his breakout season, it would be smart for Bishop owners to draft backup Evgeni Nabokov in the late rounds.BOUNCE-BACK COMING! Florida offensive rearguard Brian Campbell regressed last season with 37 points in 82 games, but a rebound to career norms is coming. Over his first two seasons with the offensively inept Panthers, he still managed 80 points in130 games. With their two best rising d-men, Aaron Ekblad and Erik Gudbranson, being more stay-at-home types and Dmitry Kulikov having vastly underachieved, Campbell should benefit the most from an improved offensive attack. Great mid-round value in most fantasy drafts.When is the last time that the New York Rangers have boasted two top fantasy options on the blue-line? The acquisition of Dan Boyle will provide a right-hand shot and a superior puck-mover on the power-play while a veteran presence that can help Ryan McDonagh move his offensive game to the elite level. Watch these two help each other stay fantasy relevant in '14-15. 40+ points from both guys? I say yes with confidence.

Many fantasy insiders have tabbed young Valeri Nichuskin of Dallas as a breakout candidate in '14-15. The 18-year old played well above his years last season, collecting 34 points in 79 games as mostly a first-liner. While a point jump is expected as a sophomore, we all need to temper our expectations regarding this projected "Jaromir Jagr" clone. 50 points should be in his "wheelhouse", but power-play time will still be minimal. He should be a much bigger fantasy factor in 2015 and beyond.3rd overall pick Leon Draisaitl has been signed by the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-year, entry-level contract. After tearing it up in the WHL with 38 goals and 105 points in 64 games, the talented youngster could be in the running for a 2nd/3rd line center position with a strong camp. The departure of Sam Gagner has left a top-six void, but can journeyman Marc Arcobello land that spot? It should be an interesting competition to watch.According to the St. Petersberg Times, Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop hasn't healed fully from his post-season wrist surgery. While he seems very confident that he will be ready to roll by training camp, fantasy owners need to be wary of drafting him too early. Showing plenty of "wear and tear" late in his breakout season, it would be smart for Bishop owners to draft backup Evgeni Nabokov in the late rounds.BOUNCE-BACK COMING! Florida offensive rearguard Brian Campbell regressed last season with 37 points in 82 games, but a rebound to career norms is coming. Over his first two seasons with the offensively inept Panthers, he still managed 80 points in130 games. With their two best rising d-men, Aaron Ekblad and Erik Gudbranson, being more stay-at-home types and Dmitry Kulikov having vastly underachieved, Campbell should benefit the most from an improved offensive attack. Great mid-round value in most fantasy drafts.When is the last time that the New York Rangers have boasted two top fantasy options on the blue-line? The acquisition of Dan Boyle will provide a right-hand shot and a superior puck-mover on the power-play while a veteran presence that can help Ryan McDonagh move his offensive game to the elite level. Watch these two help each other stay fantasy relevant in '14-15. 40+ points from both guys? I say yes with confidence.

Kulikov, 23, had a career-high eight goals (19 points) but a career-worst minus-26 rating in 81 games with the Panthers in 2013-14. Kulikov did have solid possession numbers (51.2 CF%) for the second straight year and he'll be just 24-years-old in October so he should continue to improve his NHL game this season.

The 2009 14th overall pick has struggled offensively this season posting one goal and two assists with a minus-9 rating in 27 games. Panthers head coach Peter Horachek says Kulikov "needs to be accountable". Kuli is disappointed does not think he was playing bad enough to be kicked out of lineup.

Kulikov fell awkwardly after getting tangled up with Jaromir Jagr, was helped off the ice and did not return.

Kulikov hasn't played since March 2nd because of an upper-body injury. He is a solid young defenseman, he has seven assists in 20 games this season.

Kulikov hasn't played since March 3rd because of an upper-body injury. He has seven assists in 20 games this season. Kulikov could be worth a pick-up when he returns to the Panthers lineup.