First of all, is there a hotter top line in the NHL than Alex Steen-TJ Oshie-David Backes? The trio combined for five points in last night's 3-0 blanking of the Toronto Maple Leafs, improving their point totals to 49 in the last 11 games. Seriously? Proving to all fantasy owners that he is the "real deal" after his breakthrough 2013-14 season, Steen is currently riding point-streaks in goals and points, 5 and 9 respectively... Another shutout for Brian Elliott and another step closer to fantasy elite status. Jake Allen represents the future in the crease for the Blues, but Elliott is clearly the "now". Start him with confidence... Fantasy performer of the night- clearly Tomas Plekanec, who helped roll the Metroplitan Division leading Islanders with a four point effort. A "heart and soul" Hab who can draw some comparison to Boston's Patrice Bergeron mainly because of his superior two-way play, but is no more than a seviceable depth forward option in most fantasy formats. Awesome game nonetheless.. Two more points in a losing cause for John Tavares, giving him five points over the last two games and 13 over the last 10. JT has accelerated the scoring since the beginning of the calendar year, so superstar production seems likely for the second half... Columbus snapped a four-game losing skid with the road win at Boston, but fantasy phenom Ryan Johansen kept a 13-game point streak alive with another goal and an assist. This guy is looking like an early round draft selection come next September as he is downright dynamite... Two great buy-low options to consider at the forward position- Nathan MacKinnon and Jason Spezza. The former was expected to take a huge leap in Year 2 for Colorado, but has fizzled during the first half of the season. However, MacKinnon has shown signs of late including a late 3rd period equalizer last night against the Lightning. The latter continues to plug away as six points over the last eight games is encouraging for his typical second half outburst. Consider this- Spezza centers the second line alongside Erik Cole who is starting to heat up. Plus, he is a mainstay on the top power-play unit with All-World Tyler Seguin and the underrated Jamie Benn. This team will light the lamp plenty in the second half. Love Spezza moving forward... Dubie,Dubie,Dubie-where are you? In Minnesota, that's where! The former Arizona Coyote Devan Dubnyk continues to inject some life into his new team as the goalie led the Wild to a 3-1 win and only has...

Cole has been dealing with a minor injury for a couple of days and missed practice yesterday. He was questionable for tonight's game but will be in the lineup and skate alongside Valeri Nichushkin and Shawn Horcoff.

Monitor the veteran's status following tomorrow's game-day skate.

ATTENTION EXCEL STAT SHEET SUBSCRIBERS-The Excel Spreadsheet has been updated. Go to "MY ACCOUNT" and click on the FILES tab to access the updated Excel spreadsheet. More Tryouts: G Tim Thomas and RW Damien Brunner have signed tryout agreements with the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils,respectively. Both team can use their talents but I don't see why the players chose these teams unless there was very little interest elsewhere.  Keep an eye on both situations as both could be decent contributors on needy teams. Preseason Fantasy Bits:Milan Michalek collected a goal and an assist in Ottawa's 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. With all the talk centered on the arrival of Bobby Ryan, the 28-year old Michalek has definitely fallen under the fantasy radar, but he should be remembered come draft day. Although he missed 25 games last season, he did put up 35 goals and 60 points in '11-12. Its looking like he will be lining up with Jason Spezza and Ryan, so this Senator trio could be dynamite in fantasy leagues... Another guy who just needs to stay healthy is defenseman James Wisniewski, who had a nice night for the Blue Jackets with a goal and an assist against Pittsburgh. With the added firepower in Columbus, the hard-shooting blueliner could make a serious push for 45-50 points, but he will come in undervalued in most drafts. He could be a huge bargain, so keep your eye on how he performs in camp. Training Camp Update: Anaheim's second line in the early going consists of Nick Bonino centering Teemu Selanne and Jakub Silfverberg. For now Dustin Penner stays on the top line.. Erik Cole has been a scoring dud in his short time in Dallas, but he will reportedly get a shot on the top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Interesting. If that doesn't get him back to 30+ goals, nothing will... Cory Schneider will be getting the first start for the New Jersey Devils in pre-season action. Don't read too much into this, but if you are to be banking heavily on Jersey goaltending this season, you probably need to own both him and the future HOFer Marty Brodeur. PrimePucks continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season. Today we focus on the Minnesota Wild!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team! ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft ...

ATTENTION EXCEL STAT SHEET SUBSCRIBERS-The Excel Spreadsheet has been updated. Go to "MY ACCOUNT" and click on the FILES tab to access the updated Excel spreadsheet. More Tryouts: G Tim Thomas and RW Damien Brunner have signed tryout agreements with the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils,respectively. Both team can use their talents but I don't see why the players chose these teams unless there was very little interest elsewhere.  Keep an eye on both situations as both could be decent contributors on needy teams. Preseason Fantasy Bits:Milan Michalek collected a goal and an assist in Ottawa's 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. With all the talk centered on the arrival of Bobby Ryan, the 28-year old Michalek has definitely fallen under the fantasy radar, but he should be remembered come draft day. Although he missed 25 games last season, he did put up 35 goals and 60 points in '11-12. Its looking like he will be lining up with Jason Spezza and Ryan, so this Senator trio could be dynamite in fantasy leagues... Another guy who just needs to stay healthy is defenseman James Wisniewski, who had a nice night for the Blue Jackets with a goal and an assist against Pittsburgh. With the added firepower in Columbus, the hard-shooting blueliner could make a serious push for 45-50 points, but he will come in undervalued in most drafts. He could be a huge bargain, so keep your eye on how he performs in camp. Training Camp Update: Anaheim's second line in the early going consists of Nick Bonino centering Teemu Selanne and Jakub Silfverberg. For now Dustin Penner stays on the top line.. Erik Cole has been a scoring dud in his short time in Dallas, but he will reportedly get a shot on the top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Interesting. If that doesn't get him back to 30+ goals, nothing will... Cory Schneider will be getting the first start for the New Jersey Devils in pre-season action. Don't read too much into this, but if you are to be banking heavily on Jersey goaltending this season, you probably need to own both him and the future HOFer Marty Brodeur. PrimePucks continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season. Today we focus on the Minnesota Wild!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team! ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft ...

The Stars get rid of Ryder who is in the final year of his contract and get Cole who has two years remaining on his deal. Cole has three goals and three assists in 19 games this season.

UPDATES: INJURIES- Defenseman James Wisniewski is out indefinitely for Columbus with a broken foot... Andy McDonald and Alexander Steen were both injured in practice for St. Louis today. TRADES GALORE- Michael Ryder was traded to Montreal For Erik Cole. read more

The negotiations have gone secret! As long as they try to hash this thing out! Happy Birthday wishes to St. Louis Blues C Andrew Murray, Toronto Maple Leafs C Keith Aucoin, San Jose Sharks D Brad Stuart, and Montreal Canadiens LW Erik Cole! Later today in the NHL In 30 series- The Washington Capitals! A small sample of what to expect in the NHL In 30 Series... read more

No word on the extent of Cole's injury. The two-way winger has been a bright spot in a down season, scoring 22 goals and 45 points in 64 games.

Nobody healthy filled in on Cole's line which indicates he probably plays tonight. The newly-appointed alternate captain scored 22 goals and 44 points in 60 games.