On Tuesday night, the talented Oliver-Ekman Larsson delivered a clutch performance for Arizona when he scored the game-winning goal against Edmonton with 0.3 seconds left. With five points in his last seven games, we are starting to see OEL heat up after his pedestrian start to the season had many fantasy owners frustrated. We all have been expecting him to turn in his first 50+ point campaign this year as he ascends to the top-five of fantasy defensemen, but it has yet to be the case so far. However, with a modest total of 15 points in his first 31 games, is he headed toward being a total fantasy disappointment or should he be ranked high amongst "buy-low" options? Looking closer at OEL's numbers, the 23-year old started off the season blazing with 7 points in 9 games but struggled mightily in November with three points for the whole month. As he catches "fire" again after his lengthy slump, all you need to do is check out his "ups and downs"during his breakout season in 2013-14: 18 pts in his first 26 games(October/November) followed by 4 points in 13 games (December). He ended the second half with 19 pts. in the last 34 games, showing the ability to restore his game to elite status in no time. I would definitely take a chance on acquiring him via trade from fantasy owners that have given up on him for this year. He can still be a difference-maker in one-year leagues, but he is a lock to be an elite performer for dynasty squads.. Parting Shots: The roller-coaster ride for Jacob Trouba owners continue- he has sustained a serious upper-body injury that will keep him out until February. This could not come at a worst time for the rising youngster who was benefitting from a depleted defense corps in Winnipeg. Trouba's injury should assure that Dustin Byfuglien will stay on defense for awhile.. Damon Severson will be out for 4-5 weeks due to a hairline fracture in his ankle. The 20-year old has seen his point total shrink after a strong start for New Jersey but he looks to be a decent option in keeper leagues..

On Tuesday night, the talented Oliver-Ekman Larsson delivered a clutch performance for Arizona when he scored the game-winning goal against Edmonton with 0.3 seconds left. With five points in his last seven games, we are starting to see OEL heat up after his pedestrian start to the season had many fantasy owners frustrated. We all have been expecting him to turn in his first 50+ point campaign this year as he ascends to the top-five of fantasy defensemen, but it has yet to be the case so far. However, with a modestal total of 15 points in his first 31 games, is he headed toward being a total fantasy disappointment or should he be ranked high amongst "buy-low" options? Looking closer at OEL's numbers, the 23-year old started off the season blazing with 7 points in 9 games but struggled mightily in November with three points for the whole month. As he catches "fire" again after lengthy slump, all you need to do is check out his "ups and downs"during his breakout season in 2013-14: 18 pts in his first 26 games(October/November) followed by 4 points in 13 games (December). He ended the second half with 19 pts. in the last 34 games, showing the ability to restore his game to elite status in no time. I would definitely take a chance on acquiring him via trade from fantasy owners that have given up on him for this year. He can still be a difference-maker in one-year leagues, but he is a lock to be an elite performer for dynasty squads.. Parting Shots: The roller-coaster ride for Jacob Trouba owners continue- he has sustained a serious upper-body injury that will keep him out until February. This could not come at a worst time for the rising youngster who was benefitting from a depleted defense corps in Winnipeg. Trouba's injury should assure that Dustin Byfuglien will stay on defense for awhile.. Damon Severson will be out for 4-5 weeks due to a hairline fracture in his ankle. The 20-year old has seen his point total shrink after a strong start for New Jersey but he looks to be a decent option in keeper leagues..

Sean Couturier C-Philadelphia: The eighth overall pick of the 2011 has tons of talent, but has not become a consistent scoring threat just yet. Centering the third line won't help his cause, but he has been red-hot lately while currently on a six-game point streak (3G/4A). The Flyers are starting to click on offense, so maybe take a flier on the talented Couturier. Mika Zibanejad RW- Ottawa: The 21-year old has been flourishing on the second line alongside Bobby Ryan, scoring in three straight games and racking up seven points in his last four games. While this should probably viewed as a "hot" streak, the youngster has considerable upside and could be coming into his own as a top-six forward. Monitor how quickly Zibanejad wins his new coach over, as he could quickly become one of his go-to offensive players. Tyler Ennis C- Buffalo: With 21 points in 30 games, the top pivot has been buzzing along with the Sabres during their hot stretch. While he will probably never be a PPG producer over the course of a whole season, he is sure capable of sustaining that pace over long periods. He has racked up 9 points in last ten and should be a decent short-term pickup for the 5th-6th starting forward spot Jacob Trouba D- Winnipeg: This one is simple to figure out as the blue-chipper has been the main beneficiary of key injuries to the defensive corps, such as Enstrom and Bogosian. Despite not picking up a point over his last three games, Trouba still collected eight points over the last 10. As long as he is getting top-pairing minutes even-strength and on the power-play, he is starteable in all fantasy leagues. Jhonas Enroth G- Buffalo: Despite winning 7 of his last 9 starts, the fact that Enroth plays for a "bad" team is scaring most fantasy owners away. However, he has been a difference-maker over the last few weeks and has a decent four-game slate coming up. With Ottawa and Colorado at home, it might be time to take a gamble on arguably the "hottest" goalie in the NHL right now. Because of the overall lack of offensive support, the win total should dry up but the peripheral stats could stay above-average.

Even the loss of Corey Perry can't slow down Ryan Getzlaf as the Anaheim center piled up three assists in the 4-3 road win over Winnipeg. With ten points in the last five games, there isn't much stopping Getzlaf these days as he has been a consistent elite option over last few years.. Jacob Trouba is making most of key injuries to Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom, picking up a goal and an assist for Winnipeg in a losing cause. Definitely use him in the short-term, as the 20-year old is showing clear signs of breaking out... After putting up a "goose-egg" on Saturday night, Detroit's  Pavel Datsyuk registered a goal and 2 assists in the 3-1 win over Carolina. His three points gave him four multi-point outings in his last five games. He always puts forth a point-per-game clip but one must hope he can stay healthy long enough... Tomas Tatar was also a major contributor, collecting a goal and an assist as well. Watch out for Mika Zibenejad and Bobby Ryan, as the duo combined for 7 points in the 4-3 comeback victory for Ottawa over Vancouver. Bobby is probably taken, but Mika could be worth a waiver grab and stash.. Erik Karlsson ended the game with the overtime winner. Not much to say here, other than he is the elite of the elite. Untradeable as far as I am concerned..

Last year was probably as far away from what every fan and the coaching staff expected as you can get. Evander Kane getting injured and then trade rumors didn't help matters. Ondrej Pavelec had his worse career performance since his early days in Atlanta, posting .901 SP and a 3.01 GAA. Two big reasons why the Jets failed to qualify for the playoffs for 7 seasons as franchises of Winnipeg and Atlanta.  The only player left from that playoff team is Center Jim Slater. The team's roster doesn't have much in the way of players with playoff experience.  Perhaps that is something the coaching staff needs to take a look at. GOALIES We all know the importance of steady goaltending when it comes to the emotional stability of a team. Pavelec hasn't been that rock in net for the Jets as he has some up and down seasons so far in his young career.  In fact, it has been more down than up especially when his metrics are usually below average.  It has been said that Pavs has been working hard in the off-season.  I wonder if Michael Hutchinson put a scare into him with his amazing 3-game audition at the end of the season. All Hutchinson did was post a 2-1-0 record with a .943 SP and 1.64 GAA.  Now, no one should expect those types of numbers again, especially since that is all of his NHL experience, but he is 24 years old and will get a chance to steal the starting job since Pavelec has been anything but that solid starter every playoff team needs in the crease. Keep an eye on this situation in camp and the start of the season.  With Pavelec, the team is going to have to support him night-in and night-out, but with Hutchinson in net, he may be able to steal a few games and the offense won't have to be constantly counted on to bail Pavelec out.. DEFENSE There is no lack of blue line talent with this crew. Led by Dustin Byfuglien, who may or may not be a RW this season, the jets have a plethora of offensive-minded d-men patrolling the back end. Buff brings the grit along with the capability to score 20 goals. Then there is Tobias Enstrom, who should respond from a down year. The talented Swede only scored 30 points, his lowest total ever.  Then there are the two youngsters, Zach Bogosian and Jacob Trouba, who were 1st round draft picks, selected 3rd and 9th overall respectively. Both can score, but with Buff and Enstrom ahead of them, expect only secondary scoring.  Paul Postma and Grant Clitsome are your stay-at-home defensemen, so no fantasy value there. FORWARDS There...

Lots of games yesterday in the NHL with 13 played. There were several matinees starting with the Rangers and Ottawa.  New York has been playing a lot better recently.  Maybe Coach Alain Vigneault's system is finally kicking in.  There is certainly enough talent on the team.  They beat the Senators 4-1 in Otttawa.  The star of the game was Rangers' forward Derek Stepan who had a goal and 2 assists. Stepan had gone 13 straight games without a goal, so I am sure he is happy to get that monkey off his back.  With 30 points on the season though we can't recommend him unless you are really hurting at forward.  Young forward Mats Zuccarello had a goal for New York, and he has been hot lately with 10 points in his last 11 games...What can you say about Martin St. Louis? 4 goals last night despite the loss to San Jose.  Who says St. Louis can't score without Steven Stamkos? With 49 points this season he is still going strong.   Joe Pavelski had a big game himself for the Sharks with 3 goals. Pavelski has 48 points on the season, and is a top fantasy forward.  Patrick Marleau continued his solid season with a goal and 2 assists, and he has 46 points on the year. Rare off night for Tampa goalie Ben Bishop who allowed all 5 goals. He'll bounce back...Winnipeg beat Edmonton 3-2 in OT, and Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba had 2 goals, including the game winner. He has 16 points on the season, but in only 33 games.  You should pick him up if he is available in your league...Defenseman Tyler Myers had 2 goals for Buffalo in their loss to Columbus. Myers has 15 points on the season, so he is only worthwhile if you have injuries on defense.  Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky got the win with 26 saves, and he has won 5 straight games since returning from a groin strain. He should start for Russia in the Olympic games.   Kessel is king: Toronto forward Phil Kessel will be at the Olympics as well playing for the USA. He had a goal and an assist last night in the win over Montreal.  Kessel has 48 points on the season, and he is a premiere fantasy forward.  His linemate Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist as well, but with only 27 points on the season, he is not performing like last year. The other Henrik: We often talk about Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist on this site, but there is another Henrik in the NHL, and that is Henrik Zetterberg of Detroit. Zetterberg had a goal and an assist last night in Detroit's shootout win over Los Angeles.  Zetterberg has 38 points in 37 ...

Lots of games yesterday in the NHL with 13 played. There were several matinees starting with the Rangers and Ottawa.  New York has been playing a lot better recently.  Maybe Coach Alain Vigneault's system is finally kicking in.  There is certainly enough talent on the team.  They beat the Senators 4-1 in Otttawa.  The star of the game was Rangers' forward Derek Stepan who had a goal and 2 assists. Stepan had gone 13 straight games without a goal, so I am sure he is happy to get that monkey off his back.  With 30 points on the season though we can't recommend him unless you are really hurting at forward.  Young forward Mats Zuccarello had a goal for New York, and he has been hot lately with 10 points in his last 11 games...What can you say about Martin St. Louis? 4 goals last night despite the loss to San Jose.  Who says St. Louis can't score without Steven Stamkos? With 49 points this season he is still going strong.   Joe Pavelski had a big game himself for the Sharks with 3 goals. Pavelski has 48 points on the season, and is a top fantasy forward.  Patrick Marleau continued his solid season with a goal and 2 assists, and he has 46 points on the year. Rare off night for Tampa goalie Ben Bishop who allowed all 5 goals. He'll bounce back...Winnipeg beat Edmonton 3-2 in OT, and Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba had 2 goals, including the game winner. He has 16 points on the season, but in only 33 games.  You should pick him up if he is available in your league...Defenseman Tyler Myers had 2 goals for Buffalo in their loss to Columbus. Myers has 15 points on the season, so he is only worthwhile if you have injuries on defense.  Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky got the win with 26 saves, and he has won 5 straight games since returning from a groin strain. He should start for Russia in the Olympic games.   Kessel is king: Toronto forward Phil Kessel will be at the Olympics as well playing for the USA. He had a goal and an assist last night in the win over Montreal.  Kessel has 48 points on the season, and he is a premiere fantasy forward.  His linemate Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist as well, but with only 27 points on the season, he is not performing like last year. The other Henrik: We often talk about Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist on this site, but there is another Henrik in the NHL, and that is Henrik Zetterberg of Detroit. Zetterberg had a goal and an assist last night in Detroit's shootout win over Los Angeles.  Zetterberg has 38 points in 37 ...

You would think with the defensive corps the Winnipeg Jets have at their disposal, that by selecting Jacob Trouba at 39th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, they could afford to take their time and develop Trouba slowly and not rush him to the NHL until he was ready.  Injuries and a season-long slump by Tobias Enstrom have put a wrench in those plans but the 19 year old has risen to the occasion when called upon by scoring 12 points in 26 games. Trouba had spent 2 years with the U.S. National Development Team before being drafted. In those 2 years he accumulated 25 points in 53 games but was more productive in his second year when he produced 18 of those points in just 22 games.  After being drafted, he spent 2012-2013 at the University of Michigan going 12-17-29 in 37 games AND he had accumulated 88 PIMs. Trouba started his NHL career in grand fashion with a goal and assist in his first game on October 1st, 2013. He proceeded to go scoreless in his next 7 games before missing a month due to injury.  The rookie defenseman was surely getting a real taste of NHL life rather quickly.  Upon his return near the end of November, he didn't notch a point until his fourth game back on December 2 and then had 2 assists against the NY Rangers.  The 19 year-old had 9 points in 14 December games since then.  He is averaging over 21 minutes of ice time which is very impressive for a 19 year-old. With Dustin Byfuglien, Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Grant Clitsome, Mark Stuart and Keaton Ellerby making up the veteran presence, it is impressive that Trouba is getting so much ice time considering the stable of defensemen that make up the team. The Jets also have a bevy of young talent on the blue line that should be getting more and more opportunities in the future; players like Josh Morrissey, Brenden Kichton, and Zach Redmond to name a few.  Trouba is earning valuable ice time and is making the most of his opportunity. It is unlikely that the team would trade away one of their more offensive defensemen away, thereby putting more responsibility on the youngster, but if he continues to fit in and contribute, he should produce at his current rate.  The future looks bright for Mr. Trouba in Winnipeg. ICE POPS: Kuchie-Kuchie-Ku!-With Steven Stamkos getting injured, that opened a few opportunities for some players. One of those called upon was rookie RW Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov was tearing it up in the AHL with 24 points in 17 games before being called up.  In 18 NHL games he ...

Trouba missed just over a month after straining his neck on October 18. The 19-year-old defenseman recorded a goal and an assist with a minus-3 rating in his first eight games. He has tremendous offensive upside evidenced by his 12 goals and 29 points in 37 games with the University of Michigan in 2012-13. He is expected to pair up with Grant Clitsome on the Jets blueline tonight and will likely skate close to 20 minutes every night. He is worth an add in deep leagues and is a good keeper league option.

Trouba has been out since mid October with a neck strain. The 2012 9th overall pick, recorded two points in the season opener, but failed to record a point in the other seven games he skated in. Trouba was averaging 21:16 TOI in his first eight games and is expected to see the same workload when he gets back up to speed. He has a lot of offensive upside and is worth waiver consideration, especially in keeper leagues.