Another busy night in the NHL as there were 9 games played. A suprising number of them went either to overtime or the shootout, six out of the nine.  It shows how difficult it is to win in the league this day.  Dallas suprised the Bruins with a 3-2 win in a shootout.  Stars left wing Jamie Benn had a goal for the Stars and he has a 5-9-14 record on the year in 15 games played. We view Benn as a point per game player.  Boston defenseman Torey Krug had a goal, and he has 5 goals and 8 points on the season. Krug played 4:35 minutes last night on the power play for Boston, so they love him there.  Pick him up if you can.  Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen was strong in net for Dallas with 34 saves. Now that he is healthy again he is a solid goalie pick...The Capitals are beginning to heat up again like they did last year.  Right wing Alexander Ovechkin returned from missing several games with 2 PP goals and an assist. Get him right back into your lineup. Capitals center Niklas Backstrom had a big night with 3 assists. Backstrom has 19 points on the season in 15 games.  I wish he had scored like this last year when I owned him.  Center Marcus Johansson scored his first goal of the season for Washington, but he does have 11 points this year. He is a good pickup if available in your pool.  New York forwards Kyle Okposo and John Tavares each had a goal and an assist, and Okposo is finally having a breakout year with 19 points and a plus 7. Karlsson the king: In one of the games that were not close Ottawa beat the tumbling Blue Jackets 4-1. Senators' defenseman Erik Karlsson had 2 goals and he is scoring like a forward with 17 points in 15 games. Karlsson is the best fantasy defenseman in the NHL.  Ottawa center Jason Spezza had 2 assists, and as long as he stays healthy he is an elite fantasy forward. He has 16 points in 14 games this year. The interesting player for Ottawa is young forward Kyle Turris. Turris is quietly having a solid season with 15 points in 15 games.  While he has only 2 goals scored, he is quietly racking up assists.  Get him if you can. Steen is still a dream: St. Louis beat Montreal 3-2 in a shootout last night. Blues forward Alexander Steen scored a goal again. He has 13 goals in 13 games played, and 19 points.  It is hard to believe that he will keep this pace going.  St. Louis forward Chris Stewart had a goal and he seems to be waking up a bit. He did have 64 points one season a few years ago.  He has only 5 points on the season, but he ...

In the 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Colorado Avalanche last night, the vast array of firepower on the Detroit Red Wings was on full display, led by two-goal efforts by both both Pavel Datsyuk (who else?) and Johan Franzen. Daniel Alfredsson chipped in with three big helpers, including two with the man advantage. In particular, the 40-year old "Alfie" was a bit of a question mark for fantasy owners joining Detroit now during his twilight years and having never played for another team other than his beloved Ottawa Senators. However, the seasoned Swede has fit in nicely as a complimentary scorer, albeit in a more expanded role given the big minutes he gets on their explosive power play. With one goal and 8 assists in eight games, Alfredsson is definitely worth a look as a depth forward on your fantasy squads.. Niklas Kronwall sustained a concussion early in the first period after a hit by Colorado's Cody McLeod, and did not return. Early reports point to him missing some time, but he needs to be re-evaluated by team doctors. In the interim, Jakub Kindl will be the main beneficiary in his absence, as he gobbled up all the top power-play time (5:00) and also picked up an assist. Kronwall owners should scoop him up ASAP...Goalie Jonas Gustavsson was spectacular in the crease, thwarting away 38 of 40 Colorado shots. In relief of the injured Jimmy Howard, he has gone 3-0 with 1.67 GAA and a .953 SP. Other Fantasy Notes: Remember the hot start by Patrick Marleau last season? The Shark forward is back to his "old tricks", scoring a goal in his fourth straight game and now has nine points in seven games. Just know that he will slow down big-time at some point. However, he is more than capable of 30-goal, 70-point production even in his waning years.. In the 2-1 SO win for the Kings over the Predators, the goaltending duel between Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne is a clear example why both belong in the fantasy top-five year-in, year-out... Ottawa's Jason Spezza is on fire, recording his second straight three-point game. When healthy, the Sen's captain is fantasy gold. Coming off an injury-plagued season, a huge comeback is coming.. Promising defensemen Dougie Hamilton scored his first goal of the season for Boston. The youngster has taken a backseat to Torey Krug on the "B's" power play, but is too talented to ignore. Expect him to make his mark later in the year, as he continues to learn from his growing pains during his sophomore season.. Marian ...

In the 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Colorado Avalanche last night, the vast array of firepower on the Detroit Red Wings was on full display, led by two-goal efforts by both both Pavel Datsyuk (who else?) and Johan Franzen. Daniel Alfredsson chipped in with three big helpers, including two with the man advantage. In particular, the 40-year old "Alfie" was a bit of a question mark for fantasy owners joining Detroit now during his twilight years and having never played for another team other than his beloved Ottawa Senators. However, the seasoned Swede has fit in nicely as a complimentary scorer, albeit in a more expanded role given the big minutes he gets on their explosive power play. With one goal and 8 assists in eight games, Alfredsson is definitely worth a look as a depth forward on your fantasy squads.. Niklas Kronwall sustained a concussion early in the first period after a hit by Colorado's Cody McLeod, and did not return. Early reports point to him missing some time, but he needs to be re-evaluated by team doctors. In the interim, Jakub Kindl will be the main beneficiary in his absence, as he gobbled up all the top power-play time (5:00) and also picked up an assist. Kronwall owners should scoop him up ASAP...Goalie Jonas Gustavsson was spectacular in the crease, thwarting away 38 of 40 Colorado shots. In relief of the injured Jimmy Howard, he has gone 3-0 with 1.67 GAA and a .953 SP. Other Fantasy Notes: Remember the hot start by Patrick Marleau last season? The Shark forward is back to his "old tricks", scoring a goal in his fourth straight game and now has nine points in seven games. Just know that he will slow down big-time at some point. However, he is more than capable of 30-goal, 70-point production even in his waning years.. In the 2-1 SO win for the Kings over the Predators, the goaltending duel between Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne is a clear example why both belong in the fantasy top-five year-in, year-out... Ottawa's Jason Spezza is on fire, recording his second straight three-point game. When healthy, the Sen's captain is fantasy gold. Coming off an injury-plagued season, a huge comeback is coming.. Promising defensemen Dougie Hamilton scored his first goal of the season for Boston. The youngster has taken a backseat to Torey Krug on the "B's" power play, but is too talented to ignore. Expect him to make his mark later in the year, as he continues to learn from his growing pains during his sophomore season.. Marian ...

Against the upstart Sharks, the Senators need all the offence they can get, so Spezza is in.

Spezza missed Wednesday's game with a groin injury but is expected to return tonight. He will play between Bobby Ryan and Milan Michalek, he has one goal in two games.

After sitting out on Wednesday because of a nagging groin injury, the Sens captain skated with the team today. It is a good sign the the centre could return to the lineup tomorrow vs. San Jose. They are going to need as much fire power as they have if they want to beat the red-hot Sharks.

As reported yesterday, Paul McLean wants Spezza's groin to heal so it is not a lingering issue all season. Stephane Da Costa will centre Milan Michalek and Bobby Ryan.

MacLean says he will sit down with the training staff and Spezza to make a decision. Monitor his status tomorrow.

Although he was absent from practice, Spezza will play on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He has averaged 18:05 in the first two games, with one goal and 11 shots.

"Jason Spezza has a minor groin injury that we are managing to get him to Oct. 4 so he can play," MacLean said following practice at the Canadian Tire Centre. "We're just making sure he's ready to play the opener, which is more important than an exhibition game."