Bruins-Flyers battled it out yesterday afternoon in true playoff style with the B's prevailing in the shootout. There is just no slowing down these big, bad Bruins as they are 15-1-1 since March 1st. Simply incredible!  Most of that success is due to the Iginla-Krejci-Lucic line but Patrice Bergeron has been almost as hot with a 7-game goal scoring streak and 18 points in that 17 game stretch. Bergeron is as steady as they come. Even though he has been demoted to the fourth line Philadelphia Flyer Vincent Lecavalier scored twice and has 3 goals in past two games. Vinny doesn't always bring his ‘A' game but it looks like he has something to prove.  Start him with confidence. Flyer teammate Kimmo Timonen had been given up for dead by most poolies midway through the season but the veteran defenseman has picked up his game of late and scored 13 of his 32 points this season in March alone. The Philly vet had 2 points in yesterday's loss to the Bruins so ride the defenseman to the finish line as he will give you steady production from here on out. Ottawa Senator Kyle Turris continues to put up decent fantasy numbers although much of that has come under the radar. The young Center had 2 goals and an assist in the Sens 6-3 win over Calgary giving him 7 points in last 4 games.  The 3rd overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft has found his play in Ottawa the past few years and should be a lock for 65-70 points next season. It feels like he has been around for so long but he is only 24 years old. If you haven't heard about Detroit Red Wing Gustav Nyquist yet, you will certainly hear a lot of him over the next few years as he has 18 points in 15 March games and 45 points in 50 games played this season. Some will still have a touch of doubt about Nyquist's skills but don't let him slip too far in next year's draft because he is the real deal. And just think what he could do playing alongside Datsyuk or Zetterberg? While on the subject of Red Wings, if David Legwand happens to re-sign with Detroit, it could be possible that this longtime Nashville Predator could score between 55-60 points next season. All the center has done since coming over to Hockeytown is go 3-6-9 in 14 games; definitely worth a late round selection in next year's draft if that resigning does occur. The big news in the Chicago-Pittsburgh game was not Sidney Crosby scoring twice late in the third period to seal the victory for the Pens, but the hit Blackhawk captain Jonathan Toews took from ...

Ten games yesterday in the NHL, so we have a lot to go through. There were 3 afternoon games starting with Ottawa and Carolina.  The Hurricanes rolled over the Senators 6-3, but the offensive stars for Carolina were somewhat suprising. Manny Malhotra had 2 goals and an assist, dramatically increasing his season point totals to 11 points. Nathan Gerbe had a goal and 2 assists, but he is not fantasy worthy with 25 points on the season. One who is fantasy worthy is Hurricane defenseman Andrej Sekera who had 2 assists yesterday, and he has been hot with 6 points in his last 3 games. He now has 30 points on the season, and you should grab him if you need help on defense. Alex Semin had 2 assists to stay hot. He has 5 points in his last 3 games.  Anton Khudobin had 23 saves for the win, and he is now 10-3-0 on the season. Cam who? Kyle Turris had 2 goals for Ottawa and with 40 points on the season he is a decent 6th forward option. The Blues beat the Islanders 4-3 in a shootout, as St Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored the winner. Young right wing Vladimir Tarasenko had 2 goals for the Blues, but with 31 points on the year we can't recommend him yet. The 22 year old will get better though.  Another win in goal for Jaroslav Halak, who now has 22 on the year. Boston goalie Tuukka Rask broke out of his slump with a strong game as Boston drubbed Philadelphia 6-1.  Rask had 25 saves and he looked very sharp. Jarome Iginla had a big game for the Bruins with 2 goals and 2 assists. Just like the old days in Calgary.  Still Iginla has only 33 points on the season.  Boston d-man Zdeno Chara had 2 power play goals as the Bruins used his big body down low on the PP. His production would increase if they keep using him that way. Dave Krejci had 3 assists for Boston, and with 42 points he is a decent 6th option at forward. He is mostly an assist guy though. Capital suprise: In a bit of a surprise 2 unusual things happened in Washington's 5-0 win over Montreal; the Capitals scored some goals and goalie Braden Holtby pitched a shutout with 21 saves. Washington was aided by the return of star forward Alexander Ovechkin who had missed several games with an LBI. Ovechkin contributed immediately with a goal and an assist. Carey Price continued his slump in goal for the Canadians, and he was pulled after allowing 4 goals. He has lost 4 of his last 5 games. Lightning strikes: Tampa Bay beat Colorado 5-2, as Lightning goalie Ben Bishop continued his amazing season with 25 ...

Ten games in the NHL yesterday. Tampa Bay and the Flyers kicked things off as the Lightning beat Philadelphia 6-3.  Valtteri Filppula had a goal and an assist for Tampa. He now has 18 goals and 36 points on the season.  His name is hard to spell, and he is a waiver wire type player.  Flyer goaltender Steve Mason had a night to forget as he allowed 5 goals on only 17 shots. Sometimes you have games like that.  He is still having a good year with 18 wins.  Jakub Voracek had 2 goals for the Flyers, and while he has only 32 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 5 points in his last 4 games...Montreal beat Chicago 2-1 in OT as veteran defenseman Andre Markov scored both goals for the Canadians.  Markov has been overshadowed by fellow defenseman P K Subban, but he can still bring it with 24 points on the season... New Jersey beat Florida in OT as well as defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored the game winner.   Like Markov, Zidlicky is an old veteran who can still rack up points.  He has 24 on the year.  Devils forward Michael Ryder scored the other goal.  He has scored a goal in 4 straight games, and he has 7 points in his last 7 games.   He once scored 62 points for Dallas.  Grab him while he's hot....Ottawa beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout, as Senators goalie Craig Anderson was outstanding with 32 saves.  After a brutal start to the season, Anderson has been steadily improving, and he now has 15 wins on the year.  Ottawa's Kyle Turris scored a goal, and with 34 points on the season he is worth a look as a 6th forward option. At 24 years old he can still get better...Columbus pounded Winnipeg 6-3.  Bryan Little had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets.  Little is a lot like Turris, just on the edge of being fantasy worthy...  Colorado beat the Wild 4-2 as young forward Ryan O'Reilly had 2 goals for the Avalanche. We like O'Reilly, but with only 30 points on the season we can't recommend him yet.  He is only 22 years old.  He has 70 point potential in a year or two.  Paul Stastny left the game with an injury...Anaheim continued its winning ways with a 5-3 win over Phoenix. Ryan Getzlaf left the game with a LBI.  Mathieu Perreault had 3 assists for the Ducks, and while he has only 25 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 6 points in his last 3 games. Radim Vrbata had 3 assists for Phoenix. Vrbata is another one of those marginal 6th forwards...In a tight close checking game Pittsburgh beat Calgary 2-1 as Penguin forward Chris Kunitz ...

Ten games in the NHL yesterday. Tampa Bay and the Flyers kicked things off as the Lightning beat Philadelphia 6-3.  Valtteri Filppula had a goal and an assist for Tampa. He now has 18 goals and 36 points on the season.  His name is hard to spell, and he is a waiver wire type player.  Flyer goaltender Steve Mason had a night to forget as he allowed 5 goals on only 17 shots. Sometimes you have games like that.  He is still having a good year with 18 wins.  Jakub Voracek had 2 goals for the Flyers, and while he has only 32 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 5 points in his last 4 games...Montreal beat Chicago 2-1 in OT as veteran defenseman Andre Markov scored both goals for the Canadians.  Markov has been overshadowed by fellow defenseman P K Subban, but he can still bring it with 24 points on the season... New Jersey beat Florida in OT as well as defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored the game winner.   Like Markov, Zidlicky is an old veteran who can still rack up points.  He has 24 on the year.  Devils forward Michael Ryder scored the other goal.  He has scored a goal in 4 straight games, and he has 7 points in his last 7 games.   He once scored 62 points for Dallas.  Grab him while he's hot....Ottawa beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout, as Senators goalie Craig Anderson was outstanding with 32 saves.  After a brutal start to the season, Anderson has been steadily improving, and he now has 15 wins on the year.  Ottawa's Kyle Turris scored a goal, and with 34 points on the season he is worth a look as a 6th forward option. At 24 years old he can still get better...Columbus pounded Winnipeg 6-3.  Bryan Little had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets.  Little is a lot like Turris, just on the edge of being fantasy worthy...  Colorado beat the Wild 4-2 as young forward Ryan O'Reilly had 2 goals for the Avalanche. We like O'Reilly, but with only 30 points on the season we can't recommend him yet.  He is only 22 years old.  He has 70 point potential in a year or two.  Paul Stastny left the game with an injury...Anaheim continued its winning ways with a 5-3 win over Phoenix. Ryan Getzlaf left the game with a LBI.  Mathieu Perreault had 3 assists for the Ducks, and while he has only 25 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 6 points in his last 3 games. Radim Vrbata had 3 assists for Phoenix. Vrbata is another one of those marginal 6th forwards...In a tight close checking game Pittsburgh beat Calgary 2-1 as Penguin forward Chris Kunitz ...

Ten games in the NHL yesterday. Tampa Bay and the Flyers kicked things off as the Lightning beat Philadelphia 6-3.  Valtteri Filppula had a goal and an assist for Tampa. He now has 18 goals and 36 points on the season.  His name is hard to spell, and he is a waiver wire type player.  Flyer goaltender Steve Mason had a night to forget as he allowed 5 goals on only 17 shots. Sometimes you have games like that.  He is still having a good year with 18 wins.  Jakub Voracek had 2 goals for the Flyers, and while he has only 32 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 5 points in his last 4 games...Montreal beat Chicago 2-1 in OT as veteran defenseman Andre Markov scored both goals for the Canadians. Markov has been overshadowed by fellow defenseman P K Subban, but he can still bring it with 24 points on the season... New Jersey beat Florida in OT as well as defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored the game winner. Like Markov, Zidlicky is an old veteran who can still rack up points.  He has 24 on the year.  Devils forward Michael Ryder scored the other goal. He has scored a goal in 4 straight games, and he has 7 points in his last 7 games.   He once scored 62 points for Dallas.  Grab him while he's hot....Ottawa beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout, as Senators goalie Craig Anderson was outstanding with 32 saves.  After a brutal start to the season, Anderson has been steadily improving, and he now has 15 wins on the year.  Ottawa's Kyle Turris scored a goal, and with 34 points on the season he is worth a look as a 6th forward option. At 24 years old he can still get better...Columbus pounded Winnipeg 6-3.  Bryan Little had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets. Little is a lot like Turris, just on the edge of being fantasy worthy...  Colorado beat the Wild 4-2 as young forward Ryan O'Reilly had 2 goals for the Avalanche. We like O'Reilly, but with only 30 points on the season we can't recommend him yet.  He is only 22 years old.  He has 70 point potential in a year or two.  Paul Stastny left the game with an injury...Anaheim continued its winning ways with a 5-3 win over Phoenix. Ryan Getzlaf left the game with a LBI. Mathieu Perreault had 3 assists for the Ducks, and while he has only 25 points on the season, he has been hot lately with 6 points in his last 3 games. Radim Vrbata had 3 assists for Phoenix. Vrbata is another one of those marginal 6th forwards...In a tight close checking game Pittsburgh beat Calgary 2-1 as Penguin forward Chris Kunitz scored a ...

Well I am back from vacation in Mexico. This was the second time I have ever been to Mexico, and we stayed at a nice house near Cancun.  That part of Mexico is a mix of spectacular resorts designed to attract tourists from around the world because of the warm sun and great beaches.  But it is surrounded by a lot of poverty.  Not sure if I will ever go there again.  Big night in the NHL yesterday with 12 games played.  The Penguins and Flames kicked it off with a matinee which Pittsburgh won 4-3.  Sidney Crosby was his usual self with a goal and 2 assists. With 54 points on the season, he will win the scoring title unless he gets injured.  James Neal had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, and he has 4 points in 3 games back from his suspension. When Evgeni Malkin comes back from his LBI, the two of them will form a deadly compliment to Crosby in the Pittsburgh offense. Juri Hudler had a goal for Calgary and he now has 31 points on the season. Players rarely get better at 29 years old, and his top season was 57 points, but he is getting top quality ice time with Calgary and he is making the most of it.  Grab him while he is hot...Phoenix forward Antoine Vermette went crazy last night with 3 goals against Ottawa. Like Hudler at 31 years old Vermette is not going to get any better.  He once scored scored 65 points for Columbus, but at 22 points we cannot get too crazy about him.  Senators forward Kyle Turris had a goal, and the 24 year keeps getting better and better. He has 28 points on the season, and is a decent 6th forward option.  Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson continued his dismal season allowing all 4 goals, and his 3.42 goals against and .897 save percentage are just bad. Expect Robin Lehner to get most of the starts going forward. Mr. Jones has a thing going on: The Kings beat Colorado 3-2 in a shootout.  Anze Kopitar scored the game winner. Young Los Angeles goaltender Martin Jones posted his 8th straight win. Now we know that Patrick Lalime came into the league a number of years ago and won his first 13 games, and that it takes NHL players a while to discover a new goalies weaknesses, but this guy has been lights out at 8-0 with a 0.98 goals against and a .966 save percentage.  Play him if you can.  Forward Matt Duchene had 2 nifty assists for Colorado, and the interesting aspect was the crowd he now draws. When he passed the puck to Erik Johnson for his goal he had 3 LA players around him while Johnson was wide open. The NHL is beginning ...

Well I am back from vacation in Mexico. This was the second time I have ever been to Mexico, and we stayed at a nice house near Cancun.  That part of Mexico is a mix of spectacular resorts designed to attract tourists from around the world because of the warm sun and great beaches.  But it is surrounded by a lot of poverty.  Not sure if I will ever go there again.  Big night in the NHL yesterday with 12 games played.  The Penguins and Flames kicked it off with a matinee which Pittsburgh won 4-3.  Sidney Crosby was his usual self with a goal and 2 assists. With 54 points on the season, he will win the scoring title unless he gets injured.  James Neal had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, and he has 4 points in 3 games back from his suspension. When Evgeni Malkin comes back from his LBI, the two of them will form a deadly compliment to Crosby in the Pittsburgh offense. Juri Hudler had a goal for Calgary and he now has 31 points on the season. Players rarely get better at 29 years old, and his top season was 57 points, but he is getting top quality ice time with Calgary and he is making the most of it.  Grab him while he is hot...Phoenix forward Antoine Vermette went crazy last night with 3 goals against Ottawa. Like Hudler at 31 years old Vermette is not going to get any better.  He once scored scored 65 points for Columbus, but at 22 points we cannot get too crazy about him.  Senators forward Kyle Turris had a goal, and the 24 year keeps getting better and better. He has 28 points on the season, and is a decent 6th forward option.  Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson continued his dismal season allowing all 4 goals, and his 3.42 goals against and .897 save percentage are just bad. Expect Robin Lehner to get most of the starts going forward. Mr. Jones has a thing going on: The Kings beat Colorado 3-2 in a shootout.  Anze Kopitar scored the game winner. Young Los Angeles goaltender Martin Jones posted his 8th straight win. Now we know that Patrick Lalime came into the league a number of years ago and won his first 13 games, and that it takes NHL players a while to discover a new goalies weaknesses, but this guy has been lights out at 8-0 with a 0.98 goals against and a .966 save percentage.  Play him if you can.  Forward Matt Duchene had 2 nifty assists for Colorado, and the interesting aspect was the crowd he now draws. When he passed the puck to Erik Johnson for his goal he had 3 LA players around him while Johnson was wide open. The NHL is beginning ...

My wife and I will soon be making our Thanksgiving feast for our family, so I will be somewhat brief in my remarks today. There were 10 games in the NHL last night, and I will highlight what we think were the most important events... Montreal beat the terrible Sabres 3-1, but the big news was that Canadiens forward David Desharnais had a goal and an assist in the game, and while he has only 6 points on the season he has been reunited with former linemate Max Pacioretty and he may suprise you the rest of the year.  He led the team last night with 4:55 minutes of PP time.  He is getting top quality ice time... the Islanders continue to struggle as they lose to Winnipeg 3-2.  If it wasn't for John Tavares I don't know why anyone would go to an Islanders game.  He had a goal and an assist last night and he has 29 points in 25 games.  Elite forward....Andrew Ladd had a goal for the Jets and he has 20 points on the season....Ottawa beat Washington 6-4... and as usual Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson had a big game with 2 assists. Karlsson has 26 points on the season, and this guy scores like he is a forward....Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan had 2 goals, and he is having a great year with 24 points, but we would like to highlight Kyle Turris who had an assist for the Senators, and is having a solid season with 21 points. Grab him if you can. Marek the magnificent:  With Pekka Rinne out with an injury, the Nashville Predators are relying more and more on young Marek Mazanec in goal, and he has not disappointed. Last night he had a shutout against Columbus with 19 saves.  This kid can play.  He is 5-3 on the year with a 2.01 goals against and a .935 save percentage.  Play him if you can. Boston is a no show:  The Boston Bruins decided to celebrate Thanksgiving early, as they did not show up for last night's game against Detroit.  There are games when you realize quickly that one of the teams are taking the game off.  Detroit 6 - Boston 1.  With Pavel Datsyuk out, the Wings rely on Henrik Zetterberg for leadership, and he did not disappoint last night with a goal and an assist. He has 30 points on the season, and he is a top fantasy forward.  More interesting is youngster Gustav Nyquist who had a goal and an assist. Nyquist has 4 points in 4 games since being recalled from the minors.  He has a lot of skill, and is a up and comer.  Keep an eye on him. Head of the class:  Big night for Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman as he had 2 goals and an assist in last night's ...

My wife and I will soon be making our Thanksgiving feast for our familly, so I will be somewhat brief in my remarks today. There were 10 games in the NHL last night, and I will highlight what we think were the most important events... Montreal beat the terrible Sabres 3-1, but Canadiens forward David Desharnais had a goal and an assist in the game, and while he has only 6 points on the season he has been reunited with Max Pacioretty and he may suprise you the rest of the year.  He led the team last night with 4:55 minutes of PP time.  He is getting top quality ice time... the Islanders continue to struggle as they lose to Winnipeg 3-2.  If it wasn't for John Tavares I don't know why anyone would go to an Islanders game.  He had a goal and an assist last night and he has 29 points in 25 games.  Elite forward. Andrew Ladd had a goal for the Jets and he has 20 points on the season...Ottawa beat Washington 6-4... and as usual Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson had a big game with 2 assists.  Karlsson has 26 points on the season, and this guy scores like he is a forward.  Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan had 2 goals, and he is having a great year with 24 points, but we would like to highlight Kyle Turris who had an assist for the Senators, and is having a solid season with 21 points. Grab him if you can. Marek the magnificent:  With Pekka Rinne out with an injury the Nashville Predators are relying more and more on young Marek Mazanec in goal, and he has not disappointed. Last night he had a shutout against Columbus with 19 saves.  This kid can play.  He is 5-3 on the year with a 2.01 goals against and a .935 save percentage.  Play him if you can. Boston is a no show:  The Boston Bruins decided decided to celebrate Thanksgiving early, as they did not show up for last night's game against Detroit.  There are games when you realize quickly that one of the teams are taking the game off.  Detroit 6 Boston 1.  With Pavel Datsyuk out, the Wings rely on Henrik Zetterberg for leadership, and he did not disappoint last night with a goal and an assist. He has 30 points on the season, and he is a top fantasy forward.  More interesting is youngster Gustav Nyquist who had a goal and an assist. Nyquist has 4 points in 4 games since being recalled from the minors.  He has a lot of skill, and is a up and comer.  Keep an eye on him. Head of the class:  Big night for Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman as he had 2 goals and an assist in last night's 4-2 victory over Philadelphia.  ...

Dustin Penner-Anaheim, LW (Owned in 64.8% of ESPN leagues) Back on the Anaheim top line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, the 31-year old is enjoying an offensive renaissance with 7 points (1G/6A) in the last six games. Usually known for his streaky goal-scoring, Penner has been an assist-machine while playing with the big boys. We don't expect his scoring pace to last long-term with his limited value on the power-play, but he is worth a look as a fifth/sixth forward option while he is hot. Clarke MacArthur- Ottawa, LW (Owned in 77.1% of ESPN leagues) The ex-Leaf forward has found life in Ottawa not too shabby, as he has fit in nicely on the second line with Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris. This trio is providing the bulk of the offense for the Senators these days, with MacArthur collecting 7 points (4G/3A) in the last 6 games. The 28-year old did exhibit a scoring touch for Toronto, racking up two straight 20+ goal seasons, including a career-high 62 points in ‘10/11. He is definitely worth a roll of the dice in all fantasy formats. Marcus Johansson- Washington, LW (Owned in 64.9% of ESPN leagues) The talented forward finds himself on this list way too frequently, but he should be owned in all fantasy leagues for the simple reason that he plays with Alexander Ovechkin. With "Ovie" back in the lineup, Johansson has recorded five points in the last four games. In the previous four, he went scoreless as he was dropped to the second line in Ovechkin's absence. This one is pretty straightforward. Scoop him up immediately if you still can. Philip Larsen- Edmonton, D (Owned in 2.7% of ESPN leagues) This might be a shot in the dark, but the young Danish defender has manned Edmonton's top power-play with Justin Schultz out with a groin injury. With three assists last night and five points in five games overall, the 23-year old is showing his offensive upside. However, his fantasy value is strictly short-term as the return of Schultz would limit Larson's time on the man-advantage. Check out the injury updates on Schultz, because Larson maybe worth a flier for a week or two. Ilya Bryzgalov- Edmonton, G ( (Owned in 3.8% of ESPN leagues) The Edmonton Oilers have signed the much-maligned goaltender to a one-year deal, making a statement that Devan Dubnyk's status as the no. 1 goalie is iffy at best. While Bryzgalov is known for his off-beat antics, he has been a quite accomplished goaltender in the NHL and now has a chance to partially erase the memories of not ...