It's so nice when the air is crisp, hockey is back and my coffee is hot! I think it's safe to say Sidney Crosby loves Mike Johnston's system. Sid the Kid already has 6 points in only 2 games which comes out to 246 for the year at that pace.  Does anyone doubt that he could do it?  If anyone can, he could. Who would've thought that Tomas Plekanec would be a point behind Crosby in the scoring race? Sell high, LOL. One thing though about Plekanec, if Alex Galchenyuk has the breakout year that I am expecting, he could have a career year, or at least be a solid bottom end forward on your fantasy squad. Braden Holtby is already putting last year behind him. Barry Trotz' system is going to work wonders for "the Holt". If only Darcy Kuemper could play Colorado every game. You just knew Colorado wasn't going to get off to a great star like last year.  That surprise factor is gone. Alex Ovechkin had 2 goals and 7 SOG in yesterday's game against Boston. That's 11 SOG in 2 games.  He isn't hurting in Trotz' system either. Johnny Boychuk fits right in with the Islanders. He can have a tremendous year playing the point for Tavares.  I think the Boston Bruins will miss Jarome Iginla but not the other way around. I think Toronto needs to find themselves quickly. They can't afford to get off to a poor start like the Flyers did last season if they want to make the playoffs. I guess all those questions about Evgeni Malkin's pre-season status are answered now. The elite veterans like Malkin and Tavares know what the training camp is for, and they know that the regular season is when it matters. I might have been a bit light in my predictions for Patric Hornqvist this year. He had a goal and an assist last night, BUT he had 9 SOG.  If he continues with that type of effort, congrats to all who drafted him. Everyone on Montreal had at least 1 SOG last night except for Malhotra, Prust and Wiese. Those guys you don't expect to have SOG, they play different roles. Although they have given up 12 goals in just 3 games, the Philadelphia goaltending will get better. New Jersey is tied for the league lead in goals by a team with 11, and that in just 2 games. We are talking about the Devils here, right? Wayne Simmonds is a beast! I just love Victor Hedman this year! He's probably my man-crush for the season. Welcome back to the NHL Robin Lehner! We missed you last year.  I think last year is one young Mr. Lehner would soon like to forget. Is Tampa Bay waiting for Jonathan Drouin to join the lineup o the offense can take off? The Red Wings got robbed something fierce last night when an uncalled hooking penalty allowed Ryan Getzlaf to skate in all alone on Jimmy Howard and roof the game-winner with less than a minute to play. Tough break.  Bad officiating. I guess Gustav Nyquist is the real deal. I believe the Devils got the offense they were looking for as Mike Cammalleri has 3 goals already. He should continue but probably not at this pace. It appears the Florida Panthers will be hurting this year. Growing pains. Hats off to Jiri Tlusty who had a "hattie" in the loss to the Islanders on Saturday. Mason Raymond also had one this week. The NHL had every team on the schedule on Saturday night. That was like the first time in forever. Columbus looks big and strong off the puck, and they have injuries to deal with. They are going to be tough to play against this year.  He could be this season's SMC fave. Marko Dano blasted a shot past Ranger goalie Cam Talbot on Saturday! Book it Dano! Pekka Rinne is back and ready to resume his place as one of the elite NHL goaltenders this season. Patrick Kane scored the game-winner against Buffalo last night. Too bad he did it in Chicago and not his hometown of Buffalo.  I'm sure it was sweet nonetheless. Brandon Saad had 3 assists last night. Saad is in store for a big season I think.  Entering his 3rd season on a team like Chicago smells like a breakout to me. You know who also had 3 assists last night? Arizona D-man Keith Yandle. Love that guy and his consistency as a top NHL defenseman. Yandle's defensive partner, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, aka OEL, had 8 SOG last night.   Get him if you can. San Jose starts off their season with an impressive 4-0 win over LA, and then follows that up with a 3-0 shutout of the Winnipeg Jets. It's not how you start but how you finish but this is a good way to rid them of the bad taste of last year's playoffs. It's nice to have the Sedin twins back as the dynamic duo in Vancouver. Last year was not a nice one for them.  Bleech! Radim Vrbata must feel like he is in heaven right now. Have a great Sunday! And good luck in all your fantasy contests!