It was nice to see the NHL back on the ice after 3 days off. The NHL used to have 2 days off during Christmas, but in the new CBA the players added another day so they could have more time together with their families.  But 10 games last night to get things started again.  Boston kicked things off with a 5-0 whitewash of struggling Ottawa. Tuukka Rask had 33 saves in goal for the Bruins and he is having a terrific season with 20 wins a 1.81 goals against and a .938 save percentage. I am glad that I drafted him in the second round this year.  Youngster Reilly Smith had a big game with 2 goals, and he has 30 points on the season, and is an excellent 5th or 6th forward option. He is only going to get better too....Columbus beat the Devils in a shootout 2-1.  Yawn!  Young forward Cam Atkinson scored the game winner. While he is only 5' 8", that's probably a gift, we like his speed and skill level.  He has only 20 points on the season, but he could develop into a solid 6th forward one day...Well, Coach Adam Oates is opening up a goalie controversy in Washington.  He started German youngster Philipp Grubauer for the second straight game. Backup Michal Neuvirth is supposedly not happy, and is mumbling about going somewhere else. Nominal starter Braden Holtby has been quiet, as he should be with his numbers 3.00 goals against and a .915 save percentage. Oates is going with the hot hand in Grubauer who is now 4-1-1 with a 2.20 goals against and .934 save percentage.  Lets see if Grubauer starts the next game.  If he does, you should grab him if you need goalie help. James Neal is the real deal: James Neal has been on fire since returning from his suspension. He had a goal and 2 assists last night in Pittsburgh's win over Carolina.  Neal has 25 points in 20 games this year, and he has been playing without his usual linemate Evgeni Malkin, who is out with a LBI. When Malkin comes back look out for these two guys.  They will be heating up the NHL.  Jussi Jokinen had 3 assists last night for the Penguins, but he is at best a waiver wire type guy. Matt Moulson is a Sabre: Buffalo forward Matt Moulson came over from the New York Islanders in a trade for Thomas Vanek. While the Islanders were not good when Moulson played there at least he was on a line with John Tavares. He is not playing with anyone like that now in Buffalo.  Still he remains a productive player.  He had a goal and an assist last night in Buffalo's 4-3 shootout loss to Toronto.  He once scored 69 points for New York, but he will not produce any numbers like that with the Sabres.  More like 55 points.   Patrick Sharp is razor sharp: Chicago forward Patrick Sharp had a huge game last night in the Blachawks win over Colorado with 3 goals and an assist. Sharp is a quiet guy who is usually under rated by poolies.  The guy is a 40 goal scorer and is surrounded by a lot of talent.  Expect him to have a big year.  Nice to see Jonathan Toews have a big game as well with 2 goals and 2 assists. The human assist machine Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith had 3 more assists last night giving him 33 on the season. Colorado Captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal and an assist, and while we are disappointed in his scoring this year with only 26 points, he will be a big star one day soon. Wheeler continues to wheel: Winnipeg forward Blake Wheeler is quietly having a good year with 29 points in 40 games. He had 2 goals last night in the Jets win over Minnesota.  He is a good 6th forward option.  Wild forward Jason Pominville had 2 assists last night, something he has really struggled with this season with only 11. Playing on the top line he should be scoring more than just 28 points on the year. More fantasy news: Erik Cole had 2 goals last night for Dallas, but please, with only 17 points he has fallen a long ways from his top line days in Montreal...There was a Devan Dubnyk alert in Calgary last night as he shut out the very bad Flames 2-0 with 27 saves. Dubnyk has really struggled this season with only 10 wins a 3.24 goals against and a .896 save percentage.  Ugh!  The shutout should a least get him a few more starts.  San Jose forward Patrick Marleau got the game winner in the shootout in the Sharks win over Phoenix. Marleau also had a goal during regulation.  With 17 goals and 36 points he is having a solid year.  Sixth round steal for me.