THE ELITE 3 (The top three fantasy players to own in any position) 1. Ryan Getzlaf C, Anaheim   2. Corey Perry RW, Anaheim 3. Jonathan Quick G, Los Angeles GREAT BET TO REBOUND (Three players who are solid bounce-back candidates in 14-15') 1. Ryan Kesler C, Anaheim   2. Daniel Sedin LW, Vancouver 3. Mike Green D, Washington HERE THEY COME.. (Three players who should be breaking out with career seasons) 1. Logan Couture C, San Jose 2. Cam Fowler D, Anaheim 3. Taylor Hall LW, Edmonton SLEEPER ALERT (Three players who should be late-round fantasy draft bargains) 1. Sean Monahan C, Calgary   2. Sami Vatanen D, Anaheim   3. Mikkel Boedker LW, Arizona BUYER BEWARE (Three players who will be overvalued in most fantasy leagues) 1. Sam Gagner C, Arizona   2. Jonas Hiller G, Calgary   3. Marian Gaborik RW, Los Angeles

The NHL regular season is winding down with just 2 days remaining. All the teams are locked in for the playoffs with Dallas blanking the St. Louis Blues last night 3-0.  Kari Lehtonen swept aside 22 shots to earn his 33 win on the season and end the 6-year drought of the Stars missing the playoffs. Trevor Daley with a goal and an assist was the offensive star of the night. Daley has 9 points in his last 9 games, and with just 25 points in 67 games this season, has really been a key factor in the Stars reaching the playoffs. It was a case of a little too late last night as the Washington Capitals shutout the Chicago Blackhawks behind the 34-save effort of Jaroslav Halak. Halak raised his record to 5-4-3 with the Caps which doesn't exactly shout out at you. He does have a .930 SP in just 12 games and that is his best in his career.  It will be interesting to see what the Caps with Halak, who is an UFA at the end of the season, do since they do have Holtby who just had an off year. With the shootout loss to the NY Islanders last night, that brings the New Jersey Devils shootout record to 0-13. If they could have won just under half of those, they would be in the playoffs this year.  Martin Brodeur made 28 saves in the loss in what could be his last start for his storied career with the Devils. Martin Havlat with a hattie last night against the Colorado, spoiling the Avs chances at the Western Conference title. HE also added an assist in the 5-2 victory. Congratulations to Havlat who always had the talent but has never been able to stand up to the rigors of the NHL schedule.  Logan Couture had 3 assists in the game and if it weren't for his wrist injury, he would have broken his career high in points of 65 in 2011-2012. Don't forget him in next year's draft.

The NHL regular season is winding down with just 2 days remaining. All the teams are locked in for the playoffs with Dallas blanking the St. Louis Blues last night 3-0.  Kari Lehtonen swept aside 22 shots to earn his 33 win on the season and end the 6-year drought of the Stars missing the playoffs. Trevor Daley with a goal and an assist was the offensive star of the night. Daley has 9 points in his last 9 games, and with just 25 points in 67 games this season, has really been a key factor in the Stars reaching the playoffs. It was a case of a little too late last night as the Washington Capitals shutout the Chicago Blackhawks behind the 34-save effort of Jaroslav Halak. Halak raised his record to 5-4-3 with the Caps which doesn't exactly shout out at you. He does have a .930 SP in just 12 games and that is his best in his career.  It will be interesting to see what the Caps with Halak, who is an UFA at the end of the season, do since they do have Holtby who just had an off year. With the shootout loss to the NY Islanders last night, that brings the New Jersey Devils shootout record to 0-13. If they could have won just under half of those, they would be in the playoffs this year.  Martin Brodeur made 28 saves in the loss in what could be his last start for his storied career with the Devils. Martin Havlat with a hattie last night against the Colorado, spoiling the Avs chances at the Western Conference title. HE also added an assist in the 5-2 victory. Congratulations to Havlat who always had the talent but has never been able to stand up to the rigors of the NHL schedule.  Logan Couture had 3 assists in the game and if it weren't for his wrist injury, he would have broken his career high in points of 65 in 2011-2012. Don't forget him in next year's draft.

The NHL regular season is winding down with just 2 days remaining. All the teams are locked in for the playoffs with Dallas blanking the St. Louis Blues last night 3-0.  Kari Lehtonen swept aside 22 shots to earn his 33 win on the season and end the 6-year drought of the Stars missing the playoffs. Trevor Daley with a goal and an assist was the offensive star of the night. Daley has 9 points in his last 9 games, and with just 25 points in 67 games this season, has really been a key factor in the Stars reaching the playoffs. It was a case of a little too late last night as the Washington Capitals shutout the Chicago Blackhawks behind the 34-save effort of Jaroslav Halak. Halak raised his record to 5-4-3 with the Caps which doesn't exactly shout out at you. He does have a .930 SP in just 12 games and that is his best in his career.  It will be interesting to see what the Caps with Halak, who is an UFA at the end of the season, do since they do have Holtby who just had an off year. With the shootout loss to the NY Islanders last night, that brings the New Jersey Devils shootout record to 0-13. If they could have won just under half of those, they would be in the playoffs this year.  Martin Brodeur made 28 saves in the loss in what could be his last start for his storied career with the Devils. Martin Havlat with a hattie last night against the Colorado, spoiling the Avs chances at the Western Conference title. HE also added an assist in the 5-2 victory. Congratulations to Havlat who always had the talent but has never been able to stand up to the rigors of the NHL schedule.  Logan Couture had 3 assists in the game and if it weren't for his wrist injury, he would have broken his career high in points of 65 in 2011-2012. Don't forget him in next year's draft.

Couture was listed as a game-time decision after suffering a foot injury on Monday. Following Monday's game head coach Todd McLellan said that Couture was "fine" so it looks like Couture will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Jets.

Couture missed two periods on Monday and Tuesday's game after taking a blast off the foot in the first period in Calgary on Monday. He did skate this afternoon, which is a good sign that he will be in the lineup, but the 10:30 pm ET start puts a strain on your lineup.

Couture left Monday's game in the first period and did not return. He was injured after being hit by a slapshot. He is "fine" according to coach Todd McLellan, but will get the night off.

Couture was injured while blocking a shot on Monday vs. the Flames. He attempted to return to the game in the second period, but retired to the dressing room after one shift. Monitor Couture's status prior to tonight's 9:30 ET puck-drop. He had 12 points in his previous 13 games before Monday.

Injuries have plagued the Detroit Red Wings up front for most of the season, but the return of the "Mule" can help them keep their long-standing playoff streak alive. RW Johan Franzen collected a "hat trick" against the hapless Ottawa Senators, giving him 5 points in 2 games since his return from a concussion. To be honest, it's difficult as a fantasy owner to rely on him down the stretch given his history of injuries, but if he can stay healthy.. watch out. As streaky as they come and a consistent "second half" guy, you can do much worse than gamble on Franzen for a scoring boost. While the young forwards have done an admirable job of providing secondary scoring, most of the Detroit offense will fall on the shoulders on Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. Just hope their knees don't crumble.. Couture Sparks Sharks: We all know this was supposed to be Logan Couture's breakout season, but injuries and a brief slump left fantasy owners unsatisfied. However, the sniper is back in great form, collecting 2 goals in the 7-3 rout in Philly. The good news is that his offensive presence opens it up for all the key scoring forwards in San Jose, including "Little Joe" Pavelski who had a "hat trick" and now sits second in the NHL with 33 goals scored. Look for Couture and Pavelski to be fantasy beasts over the final stretch, while Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton should continue their normal production. In terms of their remaining fantasy worth, here's the following order: 1. Couture 2. Pavelski. 3. Marleau 4. Thornton. Whats The Matter With Maatta? Absolutely nothing! The young Olli Maatta is making a strong case for Calder Trophy consideration, given that he blazed the way for Pittsburgh with 2 points last night and 5 in the last five games overall. Dating back to the start of December, the "OEL" clone has collected 20 points (6G/14A) in the last 30 games. If not for a lack of primary power-play time, this guy would be an automatic top-ten fantasy option but Matt Niskanen continues to get the minutes. regardless, the injuries to Kris Letang and Paul Martin have created a huge opportunity for the youngster, and he has taken full advantage of it so far. Scoop him up if he is still available. More Fantasy Game Notes: Well, let's begin with the "Great 8" who should be moping over Team Russia's disastrous showing in Sochi, but apparently has other plans..like continuing his NHL dominance this season. Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 41st goal late in the third to grab ...

Injuries have plagued the Detroit Red Wings up front for most of the season, but the return of the "Mule" can help them keep their long-standing playoff streak alive. RW Johan Franzen collected a "hat trick" against the hapless Ottawa Senators, giving him 5 points in 2 games since his return from a concussion. To be honest, it's difficult as a fantasy owner to rely on him down the stretch given his history of injuries, but if he can stay healthy.. watch out. As streaky as they come and a consistent "second half" guy, you can do much worse than gamble on Franzen for a scoring boost. While the young forwards have done an admirable job of providing secondary scoring, most of the Detroit offense will fall on the shoulders on Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. Just hope their knees don't crumble.. Couture Sparks Sharks: We all know this was supposed to be Logan Couture's breakout season, but injuries and a brief slump left fantasy owners unsatisfied. However, the sniper is back in great form, collecting 2 goals in the 7-3 rout in Philly. The good news is that his offensive presence opens it up for all the key scoring forwards in San Jose, including "Little Joe" Pavelski who had a "hat trick" and now sits second in the NHL with 33 goals scored. Look for Couture and Pavelski to be fantasy beasts over the final stretch, while Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton should continue their normal production. In terms of their remaining fantasy worth, here's the following order: 1. Couture 2. Pavelski. 3. Marleau 4. Thornton. Whats The Matter With Maatta? Absolutely nothing! The young Olli Maatta is making a strong case for Calder Trophy consideration, given that he blazed the way for Pittsburgh with 2 points last night and 5 in the last five games overall. Dating back to the start of December, the "OEL" clone has collected 20 points (6G/14A) in the last 30 games. If not for a lack of primary power-play time, this guy would be an automatic top-ten fantasy option but Matt Niskanen continues to get the minutes. regardless, the injuries to Kris Letang and Paul Martin have created a huge opportunity for the youngster, and he has taken full advantage of it so far. Scoop him up if he is still available. More Fantasy Game Notes: Well, let's begin with the "Great 8" who should be moping over Team Russia's disastrous showing in Sochi, but apparently has other plans..like continuing his NHL dominance this season. Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 41st goal late in the third to grab ...