The Kings are looking more and more like the Western Conference team that no one would want to face in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ever since the Olympic break they are 14-4-0 thanks in most part to goaltender Jonathan Quick who shutout the fading Phoenix Coyotes behind a relatively easy 17-save performance. That's his 3rd shutout since the O-break. Another team that is starting to heat up besides all the injuries to key personnel are the Detroit Red Wings. Although his stats since the O-break aren't that great (7-5-2), Jimmy Howard has performed much better in his last few starts as the Red Wings are trying to nail down their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. And defeating the hottest team in the NHL in these Boston Bruins is no small feat.  It helps when you have the hottest goal-scorer on the planet in Gustav Nyquist. NYKE (pronounced Ni-kee like the sneaker) was held at bay much of the game but midway through the 3rd period, NYKE used his speed to score the eventual game-winner on a breakaway. There sure seems to be no stopping him. It took a long time, and some brilliant goaltending from G Frederik Andersen (30/32 SV), but the Anaheim Ducks awoke in time to come from a 2-goal deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oilers. Thank you Mr. Corey Perry once again as he scored two goals to tie the game before assisting on the game-winning goal, all in the third period.  With 6 games left he won't come close to his career high of 98 points in 2010-2011, but it has been a magical year nonetheless. Want a sleeper for next year? Look no further than Long Island's Ryan Strome who has been putting up points in the absence of not only John Tavares, but Kyle Okposo as well. Strome should be a lock to start the season with the Islanders and play alongside JT.  With 2 assists in last night's 2-1 road victory over Ottawa,  that gives him 6 points in last 5 games.

The Kings are looking more and more like the Western Conference team that no one would want to face in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ever since the Olympic break they are 14-4-0 thanks in most part to goaltender Jonathan Quick who shutout the fading Phoenix Coyotes behind a relatively easy 17-save performance. That's his 3rd shutout since the O-break. Another team that is starting to heat up besides all the injuries to key personnel are the Detroit Red Wings. Although his stats since the O-break aren't that great (7-5-2), Jimmy Howard has performed much better in his last few starts as the Red Wings are trying to nail down their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. And defeating the hottest team in the NHL n thee Boston Bruins is no small feat.  It helps when you have the hottest goal-scorer on the planet in Gustav Nyquist. NYKE (pronounced Ni-kee) was held at bay much of the game but midway through the 3rd period, NYKE used his speed to score the eventual game-winner on a breakaway. There sure seems to be no stopping him. It took a long time, and some brilliant goaltending from G Frederik Andersen (30/32 SV), but the Anaheim Ducks awoke in time to come from a 2-goal deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oilers. Thank you Mr. Corey Perry once again as he scored two goals to tie the game before assisting on the game-winning goal.  With 6 games left he won't come close to his career high of 98 points in 2010-2011, but it has been a magical year nonetheless. Want a sleeper for next year? Look no further than Long Island's Ryan Strome who has been putting up points in the absence of not only John Tavares, but Kyle Okposo as well. Strome should be a lock to start the season with the Islanders and play alongside JT.  With 2 assists in last night's 2-1 road victory over Ottawa,  that gives him 6 points in last 5 games.

Howard turned aside 25 of 27 shots in huge 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off, but will be back in goal when the Red Wings host the Bruins. It is a very difficult matchup for Howie, he allowed four goals on 37 shots in a 4-1 loss to Boston back in October.

Busy schedule in the NHL yesterday with 11 games played.  The Bruins took care of Carolina 4-2 as Boston right wing Jarome Iginla scored 2 goals. While he doesn't score like he used to, Iginla has been hot lately, and with 30 goals and 30 assists on the season he has had a good year.  Young Bruin center Carl Soderberg had a big game with a goal and 2 assists. He has only 45 points on the season, but he has a lot of potential. Colorado beat San Jose 3-2 as Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov had a huge game with 47 saves. With a 37-14-5 record with a .926 save percentage, he is one of the premier fantasy goaltenders in the NHL.  Tampa Bay won over the hapless Buffalo Sabres 4-3.  Lightning center Steve Stamkos was all over the ice last night and he had 2 goals and an assist. He has 23 goals and 36 points on the season, but in only 29 games played as he was hurt.  That's the only knock against him, injuries.  When healthy he is one of the top forwards in the game. The Red Wings topped the Maple Leafs, as young center Darren Helm got his first career hat trick. Helm was used on the top line, something to keep an eye on.  He has only 16 points in 36 games played, but he might have some value if he stays on the first line. The Wings have a lot of injury issues.  Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard finally won a game, only number 18 on the year. The Canadiens took it to Florida 4-1 as Montreal left wing, "Mad Max" Pacioretty had a big night with 2 goals and an assist. Pacioretty has 54 points in 67 games played, so don't expect this to happen a lot. Montreal left wing, Thomas Vanek had a goal and an assist, and with 64 points he is a solid fantasy forward. The Islanders beat New Jersey in a shootout 2-1. Not much to say about this game. Anders Nilsson got the win in goal for New York, but it is only his 5th of the year, and he has a .885 save percentage. Young center Ryan Johansen got the power play game winning goal for Columbus, and we like this kid a lot. He has30 goals and 55 points on the season. Look for him next year.  Defenseman James Wisniewski had an assist, and he is a very dependable fantasy player with 45 points on the season. Left wing Alexander Steen seems to be heating up again for the St Louis Blues as he had 2 goals last night. Steen started the year on fire, then he cooled down, but now he seems to be heating up again. He has 60 points on the year. Nice game for Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen as he got the win with 33 saves. Win number 29 on ...

Busy schedule in the NHL yesterday with 11 games played.  The Bruins took care of Carolina 4-2 as Boston right wing Jarome Iginla scored 2 goals. While he doesn't score like he used to, Iginla has been hot lately, and with 30 goals and 30 assists on the season he has had a good year.  Young Bruin center Carl Soderberg had a big game with a goal and 2 assists. He has only 45 points on the season, but he has a lot of potential. Colorado beat San Jose 3-2 as Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov had a huge game with 47 saves. With a 37-14-5 record with a .926 save percentage, he is one of the premier fantasy goaltenders in the NHL.  Tampa Bay won over the hapless Buffalo Sabres 4-3.  Lightning center Steve Stamkos was all over the ice last night and he had 2 goals and an assist. He has 23 goals and 36 points on the season, but in only 29 games played as he was hurt.  That's the only knock against him, injuries.  When healthy he is one of the top forwards in the game. The Red Wings topped the Maple Leafs, as young center Darren Helm got his first career hat trick. Helm was used on the top line, something to keep an eye on.  He has only 16 points in 36 games played, but he might have some value if he stays on the first line. The Wings have a lot of injury issues.  Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard finally won a game, only number 18 on the year. The Canadiens took it to Florida 4-1 as Montreal left wing, "Mad Max" Pacioretty had a big night with 2 goals and an assist. Pacioretty has 54 points in 67 games played, so don't expect this to happen a lot. Montreal left wing, Thomas Vanek had a goal and an assist, and with 64 points he is a solid fantasy forward. The Islanders beat New Jersey in a shootout 2-1. Not much to say about this game. Anders Nilsson got the win in goal for New York, but it is only his 5th of the year, and he has a .885 save percentage. Young center Ryan Johansen got the power play game winning goal for Columbus, and we like this kid a lot. He has30 goals and 55 points on the season. Look for him next year.  Defenseman James Wisniewski had an assist, and he is a very dependable fantasy player with 45 points on the season. Left wing Alexander Steen seems to be heating up again for the St Louis Blues as he had 2 goals last night. Steen started the year on fire, then he cooled down, but now he seems to be heating up again. He has 60 points on the year. Nice game for Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen as he got the win with 33 saves. Win number 29 on ...

There are 11 games on the NHL calendar today. Boston will start things off with a game at Washington.  Tukkaa Rask is (LIKELY) in goal for Boston, and there little to say about him other thna the fact he will likey win the Vezina Trophy with his 33 wins and 2.01 GAA. Rask's even strength save percentage of .943 is amazing.  Jaroslav Halak is (LIKELY) to be in goal for the Capitals, and he has played well since the trade with a .929 save percentage with Washington, but we like Boston in this one. San Jose will visit Colorado. Antti Niemi is (LIKELY) for the Sharks while Semyon Varlamov has been (CONFIRMED) for the Avalanche. Both are having great years with each having 36 wins.  Varlamov has been hotter lately winning 3 of his last 4 whereas Niemi has gone 2-3 in his last 5.  Go with Varlamov. Ben Bishop will (LIKELY) be in goal for Tampa as they visit Buffalo. Youngster Matt Hackett is (LIKELY) to be in goal for the Sabres. Bishop has had a great year with 35 wins while Hackett has only played in 3 games.  Bishop should be the king. Cory Schneider has been (CONFIRMED) for the Devils at the Islanders. Although his record is only 14-14-9, his 2.14 GAA demonstrates that he has played well this season. Evgeni Nabokov is (LIKELY) for New York. He hasgone 2-4 in his last 6 games, so we like Schneider.   Carey Price will (LIKELY) start for Montreal at Florida. Price has had a solid year with 31 wins and a .924 save percentage. Dan Ellis has been (CONFIRMED) to be in goal for the Panthers. He has really struggled in his limited playing time with a 5-8 record and worse a 3.39 GAA and a .890 SP.  The Price is right.  The Red Wings will visit Toronto, and Jimmy Howard has been (CONFIRMED) in goal for Detroit.  He has had a tough year at 17-18-11 and he has suffered 3 straight losses. Jonathan Bernier is (LIKELY) to be in goal for the Leafs, and while he has played well this year with 25 wins, he has lost 2 straight games since coming back from an injury.  But we like him and his .924 save percentage. Sergei Bobrovsky is (LIKELY) in goal for Columbus as they visit Carolina.  Bobrovsky has played well with 27 wins and a 2.47 GAA, although he has lost 3 of his last 5 games.   He will (LIKELY) face Anton Khudobin who has a 16-12-0 record, but a solid 2.20 GAA and a .929 SP. He shutout Florida in his last game.  Still go with Bobrovsky.  Dallas will face the Blues in St. Louis and Kari Lehtonen is (LIKELY) in goal for the Stars. With 28 wins and a 2.48 GAA he has had a...

Howard allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. One of the goals was highly questionable as the net was off it's moorings, but ruled a goal regardless. Overall, Howard continues to make big saves but give up a could goals mostly due to lack of talent on the Wings blueline. He will look to lock down two points tonight when Detroit hosts the Habs.

ALL GOALIES ARE CONFIRMED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED AT THE TIME OF PRINT The Boston Bruins will look to avenge their 3-2 shootout loss on January 19th along with losing last year's Stanley Cup to the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at TD Garden. In what could possibly be a prelude to another Stanley Cup Finals match, this should bring all the intensity of a close rivalry.  Carey Crawford (LIKELY) will face Tuukka Rask, this time the B's finally get it done....Thomas Greiss will get the call again for Phoenix as the Coyotes try to build on their victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night. Martin Brodeur will look to keep New Jersey's playoff hopes alive, although he has lost 3 straight. Expect the Devils to bring it tonight against the NHL's least used backup in Greiss.  Don't let that fool you.  Greiss is a good goalie, and he plays in the Tippett system.  You know what that does to a goalie's performance?  Just ask Bryzgalov....Another potential Stanley Cup Finals matchup tonight in Pittsburgh as the Penguins host the Los Angeles Kings.  In a  battle ofthe backups, Jeff Zatkoff looks to end the Pens two-game losing streak but has tough competition with Martin Jones (LIKELY) in net for the Kings.  The Pens have been hit hard with injuries but still lead the Metropolitan Division and basically have it sewn up while LA is looking to shore up their position.  Should be a doozy....Detroit is fighting for their playoff lives and will face a streaking Montreal team that has won 3 in a row.  Jimmy Howard will get the call for the Red Wings as Carey Price will defend the net for the Habs.  Price is coming off a 2-0 blanking of the Sabres and is rounding into shape following his recent LBI.  Look for the Canadiens to clip the Wings tonight....In a game with no playoff implications but teams building for next season, Anton Khudobin will be in the crease for the Carolina Hurricanes as they head to Florida to take on Roberto Luongo and the Panthers.  This could be a good game fantasy-wise with lots of goals.....Don't look now but the John Tavares-less New York Islanders have won 2 in a row and look to make it 3 against Ben Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning.  I don't think so as the Bolts look to halt a 2-game skid and gain ground in a t least solidifying home ice advantage for the first round.  Evgeni Nabokov has been sharing the net lately with Anders Nilssonbut gets the call tonight.....Ryan Miller will look to backstop the NHL leading St. Louis blues to their 50th win ...