The hard luck loser award goes to Tampa Bay rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was unpenetrable for most of the game against the Isles with 45 saves but gave up three goals over the last four minutes. Ben Bishop is close to returning, but the youngster has made a strong case for backup duties over the struggling Evgeni Nabokov... Calvin Pickard has performed well above expectations in the Colorado crease while subbing for the injured Semyon Varlamov, turning aside 28 of 29 Buffalo shots for his 5th win of the season. With a 2.16 GAA and .936 SP, the youngster should have little difficulty in maintaining back-up status when 'Varly returns... Don't look now, but a fantasy star is quickly taking center stage for the Montreal Canadiens as Alex Galchenyuk is making the most of his opportunity of centering the top line. Another goal and assist gives him 7 points in his last five games, raising his overall numbers to 24 points in 34 games. The third-year pivot could still be available in many leagues so snatch him ASAP before it's too late... I would hesitate to write that a veteran forward not named Jarome Iginla is Colorado's most consistent fantasy option on offense these days, but Alex Tanguay has been real solid with 22 points in 30 games. He led the way last night with two goals and an assist. Maybe worth a flier as a borderline starter... Here is to stating the obvious, but Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek are the best fantasy tandem in NHL. With a combined 8 points in the 7-4 win over the Leafs, these two have kept many fantasy squads afloat with no end in sight. Expect the good times to continue much longer... With 34 points in 32 games, Nicklas Backstrom has been the far superior fantasy asset over Alex Ovechkin for Washington. Another 3-point night gives him 9 points in his last 6 games. As undercover a superstar as one can be in today's NHL. Perenially a lock for a PPG clip... Maybe it's time to buy low on Chicago winger Patrick Sharp as he is slowly shaking off his early season rust with two goals in the last three games. Coming off a career-high 78 points in 2013-14, he could be in line for a huge second half. I know many fantasy owners who have soured on him... Watch out for Thomas Vanek in Minny, as the struggling winger has begin to hit his offensive stride while riding shotgun to Zach Parise on the top line. His goal and an assist in the loss to Nashville gives him 9 points in the last ten games. With Parise streaking with 26 points in 26 games, I will be starting Vanek next week... I keep offering Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk in sell-high trade offers, but he just keeps scoring. 20 points in 32 games is serious production, so probably it's more wise to hang on... So much for goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Braden Holtby being adversely affected by their high-scoring head-to-head matchup in Columbus the other night, as both have quickly resorted back to their stingy ways. Sergei stymied Chicago with 39 saves in the 3-2 win, while Braden slayed the Devils 4-0 behind his 2nd shutout of the season. Both are trending toward to elite status... Is there a more overrated no.1 fantasy goalie than Ryan Miller right now? Probably not, as despite his solid performance in the 3-2 win over Calgary, his numbers stand at a mediocre 2.65 GAA and a .901 SP. If you have depth in goal, I would consider trading the 34-year old to anyone desperate for a starting netminder. Name recognition alone should guarantee a decent return... Brent Burns is lighting it up for the Sharks with points in six of his last 8 gams and 26 points overall on the season. His overtime game-winner on the power play helped salvage an otherwise average night for my fantasy team in our Super Terrific league...