The big news of the night was the trade of Michael Del Zotto to the Nashville Predators. The NY Rangers finally parted ways with the talented but enigmatic defenseman.  Read more about the MDZ trade in PRIME VIEWS....Without the services of Jimmy Howard and Pavel Datsyuk, both out due to injuries, Henrik Zetterberg placed the Red Wings on his shoulders and carried them to a 5-4 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, no small feat.  Zetts had 3 assists on the night and now has 6 points in past 3 games; 9 points in 9 January games and 12 in past 11; signs that he is heating up.  If the Red Wings hope to get back into the playoff race, they will need Zetts to burden the load until the others return to the lineup....Gustav Nyquist may be relied upon more and more down the stretch for these Detroit Red Wings. Nyquist had a goal and an assist giving him 4 points in his last 3 games.  If you are in need of a depth forward, Nyquist just might be the elixir as he will be playing with some very talented forwards in Hockeytown... More Fantasy Game Notes: The Philadelphia Flyers may have wished they played the game the night before given the results. Alex Semin continues his torrid pace with another goal. That's four goals in last 3 games for the ultra-talented but oft-injured forward.  You can probably expect a point-per-game pace as he seems comfortable playing alongside Eric Staal as witnessed by his 44 points in 44 games in last year's Lockout season. ...Last year's surprise, Jiri Tlusty, had a goal and an assist last night giving him 3 points in past 4 games. I don't know if you can expect the same production as last year's (23-15-38 in 48 games), but he may be worth a shot if you are desperate for offense and need to find a spark....Matt Niskanen is not slowing down even with the return of Paul Martin to the lineup and the Pens defense back to full strength. With 2 assists last night, Niskanen now has 11 points in past 10 games and is playing twenty minutes on average.  Martin did have an assist though....Jussi Jokinen may not break his career high in points of 65 back in 2009-2010 while with the Carolina Hurricanes, but he may get darn close playing with these Pittsburgh Penguins. Where else can you find an under the radar talent that can get you 60, maybe 70 points?

The big news of the night was the trade of Michael Del Zotto to the Nashville Predators. The NY Rangers finally parted ways with the talented but enigmatic defenseman.  Read more about the MDZ trade in PRIME VIEWS....Without the services of Jimmy Howard and Pavel Datsyuk, both out due to injuries, Henrik Zetterberg placed the Red Wings on his shoulders and carried them to a 5-4 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, no small feat.  Zetts had 3 assists on the night and now has 6 points in past 3 games; 9 points in 9 January games and 12 in past 11; signs that he is heating up.  If the Red Wings hope to get back into the playoff race, they will need Zetts to burden the load until the others return to the lineup....Gustav Nyquist may be relied upon more and more down the stretch for these Detroit Red Wings. Nyquist had a goal and an assist giving him 4 points in his last 3 games.  If you are in need of a depth forward, Nyquist just might be the elixir as he will be playing with some very talented forwards in Hockeytown... More Fantasy Game Notes: The Philadelphia Flyers may have wished they played the game the night before given the results. Alex Semin continues his torrid pace with another goal. That's four goals in last 3 games for the ultra-talented but oft-injured forward.  You can probably expect a point-per-game pace as he seems comfortable playing alongside Eric Staal as witnessed by his 44 points in 44 games in last year's Lockout season. ...Last year's surprise, Jiri Tlusty, had a goal and an assist last night giving him 3 points in past 4 games. I don't know if you can expect the same production as last year's (23-15-38 in 48 games), but he may be worth a shot if you are desperate for offense and need to find a spark....Matt Niskanen is not slowing down even with the return of Paul Martin to the lineup and the Pens defense back to full strength. With 2 assists last night, Niskanen now has 11 points in past 10 games and is playing twenty minutes on average.  Martin did have an assist though....Jussi Jokinen may not break his career high in points of 65 back in 2009-2010 while with the Carolina Hurricanes, but he may get darn close playing with these Pittsburgh Penguins. Where else can you find an under the radar talent that can get you 60, maybe 70 points?

Datsyuk declared himself 100 per cent for the Olympics, so one would expect he will be back in the Red Wings lineup prior to the Olympic break. The Red Wings are sliding in the Eastern Conference standings and could certainly use Datsyuk's magic back in the lineup.

This is the second time this week that Datsyuk has not made it through the full practice. This is obviously not a good sign for Datsyk owners or the Red Wings. He is extremely doubtful to play on Saturday.

Datsyuk is expected to miss his fifth straight game on Thursday. The worry about leaving practice early, is that Datsyuk may have aggrevated the injury. Monitor his status prior to Thursday's contest.

Datsyuk will miss his fourth straight game tonight. The Red Wings are off until Thursday after tonight, so even if Datsyuk is close, they are giving him the extra rest until they face the Rangers on Thursday.

Datsyuk is skating as an extra this morning, but it is an encouraging sign that he is skating. The Red Wings are in Los Angeles on Saturday, Datsyuk is questionable for that contest.

Datsyuk said that he is feeling better but not 100% so monitor his status tomorrow morning.

Datsyuk was listed as a game-time decision heading into tonight's game vs. Dallas, but he has been ruled out with a lower-body injury. The Red Wings have the next four days off so keeping him out of tonight's contest gives him a number of days to heal before they take on the Sharks on Thursday.

Both took part in the Red Wings' morning skate but Datsyuk, who missed Friday's practice with that coach Mike Babcock called a "maintenance day," was not committal about playing against the Stars. "We'll see," Datsyuk said. "Took day off, (I feel) awesome."