***NEW FEATURE*** We have added our 3 FANTASY STARS OF THE NIGHT to our Home Page.  Just look in the right margin under PRIME UPDATE.  We hope you enjoy! In a battle of the Titans, Chicago Blackhawks' Goalie Antti Raanta was able to stonewall the Los Angeles Kings 1-0. Martin Jones was nearly as perfect as he stopped 29 of 30 saves as Jones rebounded from his poor start last game out...Jones will, in all likelihood, be sent back to the AHL as Jonathan Quick is nearing a return and may even get into tonight's game versus Dallas, but more likely to play Thursday against St. Louis. Corey Crawford is also close to returning and resuming his No. 1 starter's role but Raanta's play of late should earn him more starts down the road....After what was a disastrous first part of the season, Ottawa Senators' G Craig Anderson seems to be turning his game around and not a moment too soon. Anderson has now won 3 in a row and if the Ottawa Senators want to make the playoffs and some noise, they will need Anderson to play at the highest level that he is capable of.  You may still be able to acquire the Ottawa goaltender on the cheap...It is quite obvious that the goaltending was pretty much non-existent in the Detroit-Nashville game as the Preds defeated the Red Wings 6-4.  Jimmy Howard returned from injury and only made 23 of 28 saves and his season's woes continue. Marek Mazanec wasn't much better stopping only 21 of 25 SOG. We'll give Howard a few games to get back into game shape to decide where his season is going, while the Predators await the return of elite goaltender Pekka Rinne from his hip infection....Philly G Steve Mason was the reason that the Flyers were able to squeak out a win in Vancouver last night stopping 41 of 44 SOG. Mason continues his rebound season and has played well ever since his arrival to Philadelphia at last year's trade deadline. More Fantasy Game Notes: If you haven't already, you might want to rush out and pick up Michael Raffl of the Philadelphia Flyers. All the rookie has done since his call up is go 2-9-11 points in 27 games but his recent play has improved as he is playing alongside red-hot Claude Giroux. Raffl has 10 points in the past 13 games and if he sticks should be able to gather some points but you may run into a little inconsistency from the rookie.   He had 2 assists in last night's game against the Canucks but went scoreless in three prior games...

***NEW FEATURE*** We have added our 3 FANTASY STARS OF THE NIGHT to our Home Page.  Just look in the right margin under PRIME UPDATE.  We hope you enjoy! In a battle of the Titans, Chicago Blackhawks' Goalie Antti Raanta was able to stonewall the Los Angeles Kings 1-0. Martin Jones was nearly as perfect as he stopped 29 of 30 saves as Jones rebounded from his poor start last game out...Jones will, in all likelihood, be sent back to the AHL as Jonathan Quick is nearing a return and may even get into tonight's game versus Dallas, but more likely to play Thursday against St. Louis. Corey Crawford is also close to returning and resuming his No. 1 starter's role but Raanta's play of late should earn him more starts down the road....After what was a disastrous first part of the season, Ottawa Senators' G Craig Anderson seems to be turning his game around and not a moment too soon. Anderson has now won 3 in a row and if the Ottawa Senators want to make the playoffs and some noise, they will need Anderson to play at the highest level that he is capable of.  You may still be able to acquire the Ottawa goaltender on the cheap...It is quite obvious that the goaltending was pretty much non-existent in the Detroit-Nashville game as the Preds defeated the Red Wings 6-4.  Jimmy Howard returned from injury and only made 23 of 28 saves and his season's woes continue. Marek Mazanec wasn't much better stopping only 21 of 25 SOG. We'll give Howard a few games to get back into game shape to decide where his season is going, while the Predators await the return of elite goaltender Pekka Rinne from his hip infection....Philly G Steve Mason was the reason that the Flyers were able to squeak out a win in Vancouver last night stopping 41 of 44 SOG. Mason continues his rebound season and has played well ever since his arrival to Philadelphia at last year's trade deadline. More Fantasy Game Notes: If you haven't already, you might want to rush out and pick up Michael Raffl of the Philadelphia Flyers. All the rookie has done since his call up is go 2-9-11 points in 27 games but his recent play has improved as he is playing alongside red-hot Claude Giroux. Raffl has 10 points in the past 13 games and if he sticks should be able to gather some points but you may run into a little inconsistency from the rookie.   He had 2 assists in last night's game against the Canucks but went scoreless in three prior games...

Howard has not started a game since December 10 because of a knee sprain. He made a speedy recovery and will be in net tonight in Nashville. The first half of the season has not been too kind to Howard. He is 6-8-7 with a 2.66 GAA and .910 SV% in 21 starts. He will take on a Nashville team who he was 3-0-0 with a 1.26 GAA and .952 SV% against last season.

ALL GOALIES CONFIRMED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED AT TIME OF PRINT Craig Anderson just might be turning it around after winning his past two starts, both against two of the Eastern Conference's top teams, Pittsburgh and Boston. Philipp Grubauer has played well since his call up but has lost 2 out of his last three. Ottawa is on the cusp of the eighth playoff spot so a win would do wonders while the Washington Capitals could distance themselves a little from the middle of the pack.  Look for the Senators to win a tight one on home ice...The match of the night belongs to Los Angeles and eh Chicago Blackhawks.  Martin Jones and Antti Raanta have played superbly in place of injured starters Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford, with Jones getting all the press. Jones actually suffered his first loss against 8 wins last time out against Dallas, losing 5-2 which was such an aberration from the way he had been playing prior.  Chicago continues to put up a boatload of points in games lately and they should be able to solve Jones.  Raanta is a rave!...With Jonas Gustavsson sidelined with a groin injury, Jimmy Howard gets back into the crease following his injury in the nick of time. Hopefully, for Red Wings fans, he shed his inconsistent play that possessed Howard from the start of the season.  Carter Hutton will get the nod as the Nashville Predators await the return of Pekka Rinne. Hutton has lost 4 straight while the Red Wings have won 3 of 4 and ghave their top two stars back in the lineup, Datsyuk and Zetterberg.  Wings are hot!....Steve Mason (LIKELY) and the Philadelphia Flyers head to Vancouver to take on Eddie Lack (LIKELY) and the Canucks. Lack is coming off a 2-0 shutout of the Calgary Flames and has won 3 in a row since replacing injured Roberto Luongo. As good as the Flyers have been playing of late, the Canucks are not lacking with lack in net.  Go Nucks! FANTASY MUST-STARTS Eddie Lack, Vancouver vs. Philadelphia Jimmy Howard, Detroit @ Nashville Antti Raanta, Chicago vs. Los Angeles SLEEPER ALERT None. GOALIE DAILY PICKS Steve: (50-31) Antti Raanta Ray: (45-35) Eddie Lack Mike: (38-28) TBA

Obviously this is not a confirmation but with Gustavsson sidelined, Howard starting is a distinct possibility. If he can't go, Petr Mrazek has a great opportunity for a spot start.

ALL GOALIES CONFIRMED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED AT TIME OF PRINT On the last day before the Christmas Holiday break, we have a slew of games, with every team playing except for the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks. The Buffalo Sabres are shuffling off into the break on the heels of Ryan Miller, who, despite his and the team's record has been playing well this season. In fact, the Sabres have won 2 of 3 and 3 of their last six.  Perhaps they are shedding their doormat moniker for something special this Christmas.  Mike Smith (LIKELY) and the Phoenix Coyotes might want to leave some coal in their stockings.  This concludes a 4-game road trip for the Yotes so perhaps they will be thinking about being home for the holidays.  It's Miller time...Henrik Lundqvist will sit for the second game in a row as the NY Rangers look to get their season straightened out.  Cam Talbot has been more than an adequate backup for the Blueshirts and he will give the team a good shot at winning two in a row. Their opponent, the Toronto Maple Leafs, have been struggling with their own game having lost 6 of past 8 games.  Both goaltenders are starting to slip lately, opening up discussions about possibly acquiring a bona fide starter.  Jonathan Bernier (LIKELY) will try to get back on track after losing to the Detroit Red Wings in a shootout last time out. There's a Blue Christmas in NY....Philipp Grubauer and the Washington Capitals will host the Anaheim Ducks and their starter Jonas Hiller. The Ducks are ending a 4-game road trip and they have actually won 8 in a row.  The Caps can be explosive but the Ducks are just too tough and don't want to end up on someone's Christmas table....Curtis McElhinney and the Columbus Blue Jackets head into Carolina to take on Justin Peters (LIKELY) and the Carolina Hurricanes.  Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina for a win.  The Canes have lost 5 of 6 and the Jackets look to sweeten up on some candy....With Harding out, its Niklas Backstrom and the Minnesota Wild traveling to Philadelphia to take on Steve Mason and the Flyers. The Flyers are coming off too doozies against Columbus and the inept offense of the Wild just may be what the home team needs to make Christmas even merrier....It's the Battle of Florida as Ben Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning look to extend their winning streak to 5 against Scott Clemmensen and the Florida Panthers. The Cats have been playing much better over the past few weeks winning 7 of 9 but the ...

Howard noted that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an MCL sprain. He continues to progress towards a return, but will not be rushed just to play in the outdoor game.

ALL GOALIES CONFIRMED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED AT TIME OF PRINT Steve Mason will be going in his fourth straight start breaking the pattern of two starts and then Emery. In fact, Mason will start for the 6th time in last 7 games and 11th time in past 14. Mason continues to play well in net while the Flyers are finding their offensive game.  Perhaps playing against his former team had a little to do with this start.  Curtis McElhinney will get back in net for the Columbus Blue Jackets after missing a little time to injury. The Jackets have won 4 of 7 and are becoming tough to play against.  Mason should be able to stonewall the visiting Jackets....  Jaroslav Halak will look to get back in the win column against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. I'm sure he will be stoked to show up his old team, but Carey Price has been playing equally well and this should be a duel between the net minders. Tough call, but slight edge to home team....Calgary visits Detroit at an opportune time as the Red Wings have struggled with injuries to the main components of their team. If you can believe this, the Wheels have lost 6 in a row and have lost starter Jimmy Howard for a few weeks.  However, Jonas Gustavsson has been playing well this year except for his last 2 outings when he let in 5 against a superior Anaheim Ducks team and 4 against the Mighty Pens of Pittsburgh the game prior. The Monster hasn't been the answer as he now has lost 4 in a row.  The Flames have been playing tighter games and if Detroit can't solve starter Karri Ramo, fans may start to get a little uneasy seeing the losing streak extended....Josh Harding will get some treatment for his MS so expect him to miss a few starts. Not considered anything but a maintenance call, fantasy owners should not worry, he will return as the No. 1 in Minnesota. Niklas Backstrom gets the nod and will be up against a somewhat depleted Pittsburgh offense with Malkin and Letang out. Jeff Zatkoff (LIKELY) gets the call as the Pens played last night against the NY Rangers and Fleury was in net. Perhaps a letdown for the Pens, and we all know how the West has been beating up the Eastern Conference teams....Anders Lindback gets the start against his former team, the Nashville Predators. That seems to be the trend tonight with 4 such matchups going.  Tampa Bay has played well without the services of Superstar Steven Stamkos but Lindback has suffered some tough losses in his past two outings.  Carter Hutton has played well ...

Howard's tough season continues. This injury could keep him out of the Winter Classic and makes Jonas Gustavsson the unquestioned number-1 in Detroit. Gustavsson is owned in just 34% of Yahoo! leagues and with the way he has played this season could become one of fantasies best goalies while Howard is out.

The Red Wings said on Wednesday that they don't believe Howard's injury is serious, but we will find out for sure after the MRI. Jonas Gustavsson will take over as the number-1 with Petr Mrazek as his backup until Howard is ready to return. Howard said he's hoping he's out only 1-2 weeks but not sure until MRI tomorrow.