I would like to start off by saying that the NHL's series of outdoor games are great for marketing our favorite sport and fun to watch, but not as endearing to teams who are in the thick of the playoff race and really need these points. Whether the quality of the ice or the variable weather conditions are affecting the outcome of the play, too much seems to be on the line for the NHL to keep expanding the amount of these games. Anyway, on to a few fantasy thoughts: What's happened to Vancouver's Daniel Sedin? No goals in 12 straight games and only 2 assists in the last 9. Having been dropped to the second line with Zack Kassian and Zac Dalpe, the normally consistent Swede has struggled miserably and probably should be on your bench this week. Sit him for now.The streaky Kevin Bieksa showed up on the scoresheet with 2 goals, including the overtime game-winner in Vancouver's 5-4 win over Phoenix. Watch him as he might get real hot over the next few weeks, but don't expect much power-play production.Another sign of life for Edmonton's "Big Three" of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan-Nugent Hopkins, as the trio combined for 6 points in the 5-1 romp over Nashville. With the exception of Hall, the offensive inconsistencies of the other two highly hyped forwards have plagued their fantasy owners throughout the first half. I still think they could be due for a great post-Olympic stretch, given they will be resting and should have plenty of gas left when the NHL games resume. Plenty to prove for Eberle and RNH..Mats Zuccarello was the fantasy star of the outdoor Rangers-Islanders clash at Yankee Stadium, as the diminutive Norwegian winger scored 2 goals in his team's 7-3 victory. While he has plenty of real-life value to the Ramger's blossoming offensive attack, his numbers (37 points in 53 games) suggest that he is a border-line starting forward at best.With constant injuries to Detroit's star forwards, the young guns are on the rise. Keep tabs on Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, as their time is coming.

I would like to start off by saying that the NHL's series of outdoor games are great for marketing our favorite sport and fun to watch, but not as endearing to teams who are in the thick of the playoff race and really need these points. Whether the quality of the ice or the variable weather conditions are affecting the outcome of the play, too much seems to be on the line for the NHL to keep expanding the amount of these games. Anyway, on to a few fantasy thoughts: What's happened to Vancouver's Daniel Sedin? No goals in 12 straight games and only 2 assists in the last 9. Having been dropped to the second line with Zack Kassian and Zac Dalpe, the normally consistent Swede has struggled miserably and probably should be on your bench this week. Sit him for now.The streaky Kevin Bieksa showed up on the scoresheet with 2 goals, including the overtime game-winner in Vancouver's 5-4 win over Phoenix. Watch him as he might get real hot over the next few weeks, but don't expect much power-play production.Another sign of life for Edmonton's "Big Three" of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan-Nugent Hopkins, as the trio combined for 6 points in the 5-1 romp over Nashville. With the exception of Hall, the offensive inconsistencies of the other two highly hyped forwards have plagued their fantasy owners throughout the first half. I still think they could be due for a great post-Olympic stretch, given they will be resting and should have plenty of gas left when the NHL games resume. Plenty to prove for Eberle and RNH..Mats Zuccarello was the fantasy star of the outdoor Rangers-Islanders clash at Yankee Stadium, as the diminutive Norwegian winger scored 2 goals in his team's 7-3 victory. While he has plenty of real-life value to the Ramger's blossoming offensive attack, his numbers (37 points in 53 games) suggest that he is a border-line starting forward at best.With constant injuries to Detroit's star forwards, the young guns are on the rise. Keep tabs on Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, as their time is coming.

If you are a hockey fan like we are, you have to watch young Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon score his goal last night against the New York Islanders.  It is just unbelievable to watch.  I could watch this over and over again.  His speed is unreal.  I think that Colorado President Joe Sakic made a good choice with the first pick in the draft.  New York forward, Rick Nash, scored the game winner against Dallas. Nash is vital to the Rangers success, but he has only 33 points on the season, and he has to score more than that for New York to make the playoffs.  Michal Neuvirth got the win in goal for Washington last night over Toronto 3-2,.  This is Neuvirth's first win since November 22.  It is hard to understand Oates' strategy in goal with Washington.  Braden Holtby has allowed 5 goals in each of his last 3 games. Philipp Grubauer has played well in goal with a 6-2-3 record a 2.27 goals against and a .931 save percentage, but Oates may go with Neuvirth for a while.  Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist in the loss for the Maple Leafs. He has 40 points on the season. Top forward option.  After missing 14 games with a groin injury Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has returned with style, as he pitched a shutout against Carolina with 36 saves. His .914 save percentage is not all that good this year, but expect him to get better...Kevin Poulin had 30 saves in yesterday's Islander 2-1 victory over Colorado.    With Evgeni Nabokov out with an injury, Poulin appears to be the goaltender for New York until Nabokov comes back. His numbers are terrible, but his situation is very good.   Big night for Ryan Nugent Hopkins of Edmonton, as he had 2 goals and an assist.  With 35 points on the season he is beginning to show the great talent that he has. Youngster Anton Belov scored his first goal in the NHL for the Oilers.  Love that! ...Eddie Lack is playing great in goal for Vancouver with Roberto Luongo's injury. St Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo had a goal last night and 7 shots on goal.  He has 32 points in 44 games this year, and he is one of the top fantasy defensemen in the NHL.  He has 8 points in his last 5 games.

If you are a hockey fan like we are, you have to watch young Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon score his his goal last night against the New York Islanders. It is just unbelievable to watch.  I could watch this over and over again.  His speed is unreal.  I think that Colorado President Joe Sakic made a good choice with the first pick in the draft.  New York forward, Rick Nash, scored the game winner against Dallas. Nash is vital to the Rangers success, but he has only 33 points on the season, and he has to score more than that for New York to make the playoffs.  Michal Neuvirth got the win in goal for Washington last night over Toronto 3-2,. This is Neuvirth's first win since November 22.  It is hard to understand Oates' strategy in goal with Washington.  Braden Holtby has allowed 5 goals in each of his last 3 games. Philipp Grubauer has played well in goal with a 6-2-3 record a 2.27 goals against and a .931 save percentage, but Oates may go with Neuvirth for a while. Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist in the loss for the Maple Leafs. He has 40 points on the season. Top forward option.  After missing 14 games with a groin injury Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has returned with style, as he pitched a shutout against Carolina with 36 saves. His .914 save percentage is not all that good this year, but expect him to get better...Kevin Poulin had 30 saves in yesterday's Islander 2-1 victory over Colorado.   With Evgeni Nabokov out with an injury, Poulin appears to be the goaltender for New York until Nabokov comes back. His numbers are terrible, but his situation is very good.   Big night for Ryan Nugent Hopkins of Edmonton, as he had 2 goals and an assist. With 35 points on the season he is beginning to show the great talent that he has. Youngster Anton Belov scored his first goal in the NHL for the Oilers. Love that! ...Eddie Lack is playing great in goal for Vancouver with Roberto Luongo's injury. St Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo had a goal last night and 7 shots on goal. He has 32 points in 44 games this year, and he is one of the top fantasy defensemen in the NHL.  He has 8 points in his last 5 games.

Alex Ovechkin scored 4 goals, including a last-minute game-tying tally, in Washington's 6-5 come-back win over Tampa Bay. With 26 goals in 29 games, the absence of Steven Stamkos makes the chances of anyone catching "Ovie" for the Maurice Richard Trophy slim to none. Nicklas Backstrom actually finished with more points in the contest, collecting a goal and 4 assists. After going scoreless in seven straight, the talented center has 7 points in the last three games. Regardless of a scoring drought, you never sit Backstrom out of your fantasy lineup.... Patrick Kane continues his ascent up the fantasy elite with another three points (1G/2A) in the 6-2 Chicago win over Dallas, giving him 12 points in the last 6 games. With 40 points on the season, the slick winger sits second in the NHL in scoring. For all of those pundits, including myself, that thought Kane would take a step back after hoisting the Cup, he is making a huge statement.  Patrick Sharp continues his hot streak with 2 goals.... Martin St. Louis extended his point streak to three games with a goal and two assists in the OT loss to Washington. Even without Stamkos, the ageless wonder is just barely out of the top-ten in scoring with 30 points. Don't discount him as he is still an elite fantasy forward who will get "hotter" when Stamkos returns. For now, marginal players like Tyler Johnson have seen a boost in fantasy value playing alongside St. Louis....The dynamic trio in Edmonton- Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins- combined for 6 points in the Oiler's OT win over Carolina. Eberle provided the overtime heroics with his 11th goal and 27th point in 32 games. His recent hot streak will have him over a point-per-game pace real soon, so trade for this guy if you can.  As for Hall, only injuries stand in his way as a permanent top-five fixture amongst fantasy forwards.... While playing for a "lousy" team, superstar John Tavares keeps notching the points, two more assists last night in the improbable 2-1 Islander win over San Jose.... Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk seamlessly returned from a concussion, scoring a goal and an assist in the 3-2 loss to Florida. He now has 25 points in as many games, so activate him ASAP.... Easy win for Los Angeles last night 6-0 over Montreal. Rookie goaltender Martin Jones had his second straight shutout with 31 saves, and with Jonathan Quick out, and Ben Scrivens in Coach Darryl Sutter's dog house, this guy is a great short term pickup. Young center Tyler ...

Alex Ovechkin scored 4 goals, including a last-minute game-tying tally, in Washington's 6-5 come-back win over Tampa Bay. With 26 goals in 29 games, the absence of Steven Stamkos makes the chances of anyone catching "Ovie" for the Maurice Richard Trophy slim to none. Nicklas Backstrom actually finished with more points in the contest, collecting a goal and 4 assists. After going scoreless in seven straight, the talented center has 7 points in the last three games. Regardless of a scoring drought, you never sit Backstrom out of your fantasy lineup.... Patrick Kane continues his ascent up the fantasy elite with another three points (1G/2A) in the 6-2 Chicago win over Dallas, giving him 12 points in the last 6 games. With 40 points on the season, the slick winger sits second in the NHL in scoring. For all of those pundits, including myself, that thought Kane would take a step back after hoisting the Cup, he is making a huge statement.  Patrick Sharp continues his hot streak with 2 goals.... Martin St. Louis extended his point streak to three games with a goal and two assists in the OT loss to Washington. Even without Stamkos, the ageless wonder is just barely out of the top-ten in scoring with 30 points. Don't discount him as he is still an elite fantasy forward who will get "hotter" when Stamkos returns. For now, marginal players like Tyler Johnson have seen a boost in fantasy value playing alongside St. Louis....The dynamic trio in Edmonton- Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins- combined for 6 points in the Oiler's OT win over Carolina. Eberle provided the overtime heroics with his 11th goal and 27th point in 32 games. His recent hot streak will have him over a point-per-game pace real soon, so trade for this guy if you can.  As for Hall, only injuries stand in his way as a permanent top-five fixture amongst fantasy forwards.... While playing for a "lousy" team, superstar John Tavares keeps notching the points, two more assists last night in the improbable 2-1 Islander win over San Jose.... Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk seamlessly returned from a concussion, scoring a goal and an assist in the 3-2 loss to Florida. He now has 25 points in as many games, so activate him ASAP.... Easy win for Los Angeles last night 6-0 over Montreal. Rookie goaltender Martin Jones had his second straight shutout with 31 saves, and with Jonathan Quick out, and Ben Scrivens in Coach Darryl Sutter's dog house, this guy is a great short term pickup. Young center Tyler ...

After being called up from the AHL's Grand Rapids, Gustav Nyquist helped the Detroit Red Wings snap a seven-game losing streak with his 2-goal effort in his season debut. The 24-year old was a prime candidate for a fantasy breakout season, but was kept in the minors due to salary cap reasons. He immediately was placed on a scoring line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, as he is easily one of the most talented forwards on the roster. The Wings are known for taking their time in developing home-grown talent, but with the offense struggling and a few key forwards injured, this could be his golden opportunity. Fantasy owners would be wise to snatch this kid up, because he has big offensive upside and he was dominating the AHL this season with 7 goals and 21 points in 15 games. Mazanec Heating Up: The 22-year old goalie has been shining in the Nashville crease lately, picking up his third straight victory with the 4-2 win over Toronto. Including Detroit and Chicago, Marek Mazanec has been impressive against an "A" list of NHL teams during this streak, so it's time to give the rookie a serious look. With Pekka Rinne out long-term and Carter Hutton not making most of his starting opportunity, Mazenec could be a real steal for goalie-deficient fantasy owners. More Fantasy Game Notes: Henrik Lundqvist and Cory Schneider deserve the "Stonewall" award after winning their respective teams key road games last night in which they were outshot by a wide margin. The Rangers did give "King Henrik" three goals to play with, but the Devil offense continues to run dry when Schneider is in net. Martin Brodeur continues to be the no. 1 with his strong play and better goal support.. Jonathan Toews was the fantasy star of the night with one goal and three assists. With Marian Hossa returning to action, the captain's line should continue to roll... After Edmonton's 4-1 win over Florida, the young guns are showing more signs of waking up with Jordan Eberle scoring twice and Ryan-Nugent Hopkins picking up two helpers. Also throw goalie Devan Dubnyk into the mix, who has been awesome with three straight wins. Maybe, the young Oilers are on a rise. Not totally convinced yet, but start their key forwards for the upcoming scoring period.

After being called up from the AHL's Grand Rapids, Gustav Nyquist helped the Detroit Red Wings snap a seven-game losing streak with his 2-goal effort in his season debut. The 24-year old was a prime candidate for a fantasy breakout season, but was kept in the minors due to salary cap reasons. He immediately was placed on a scoring line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, as he is easily one of the most talented forwards on the roster. The Wings are known for taking their time in developing home-grown talent, but with the offense struggling and a few key forwards injured, this could be his golden opportunity. Fantasy owners would be wise to snatch this kid up, because he has big offensive upside and he was dominating the AHL this season with 7 goals and 21 points in 15 games. Mazanec Heating Up: The 22-year old goalie has been shining in the Nashville crease lately, picking up his third straight victory with the 4-2 win over Toronto. Including Detroit and Chicago, Marek Mazanec has been impressive against an "A" list of NHL teams during this streak, so it's time to give the rookie a serious look. With Pekka Rinne out long-term and Carter Hutton not making most of his starting opportunity, Mazenec could be a real steal for goalie-deficient fantasy owners. More Fantasy Game Notes: Henrik Lundqvist and Cory Schneider deserve the "Stonewall" award after winning their respective teams key road games last night in which they were outshot by a wide margin. The Rangers did give "King Henrik" three goals to play with, but the Devil offense continues to run dry when Schneider is in net. Martin Brodeur continues to be the no. 1 with his strong play and better goal support.. Jonathan Toews was the fantasy star of the night with one goal and three assists. With Marian Hossa returning to action, the captain's line should continue to roll... After Edmonton's 4-1 win over Florida, the young guns are showing more signs of waking up with Jordan Eberle scoring twice and Ryan-Nugent Hopkins picking up two helpers. Also throw goalie Devan Dubnyk into the mix, who has been awesome with three straight wins. Maybe, the young Oilers are on a rise. Not totally convinced yet, but start their key forwards for the upcoming scoring period.

After entering the game with just two goals on the season, RW Phil Kessel electrified the home crowd in Toronto with a three-goal explosion in the 4-2 win over Anaheim. The Duck's winning streak is halted at seven, while Kessel ended his own goal-less streak at four games. With 11 points in 10 games, "Phil The Thrill" is on pace to match his numbers over the last two seasons, where he has collected 134 points in 130 games. With the added firepower in the Leaf's top two scoring lines, fantasy owners can expect a slight boost in Kessel's numbers this season, with 40+goals and 90+ pts. a realistic projection... After setting up Kessel for two more assists, James van Riemsdyk is on quite a roll with five goals and three assists in eight games. Back spasms has been a concern, but the speedy winger could put up career numbers if he can stay healthy. More Fantasy Game Notes: The Islanders have a lot of good, young talent, but they have to learn how to play defense. They lost yesterday 5-4 to Vancouver, and they left goalie Evgeni Nabokov out to dry too often. Canuck veteran forward Daniel Sedin had a goal and an assist, and at this point in his career he is still a dependable point per game player. While Matt Moulson had 2 goals for the Islanders, the player you should be grabbing is 29 years old Frans Nielsen who had a goal and 2 assists. He now has 11 points in 9 games and is beginning to look like the real deal... The Devils continue to have trouble scoring as they really miss Kovalchuk.  They could only muster one goal last night in a 4-1 loss to Columbus.  Defenseman James Wisniewski had a goal and 2 assists for the Blue Jackets. he now has 7 points on the season, and he is a solid 2nd or 3rd d-man option.  Columbus goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had a good night with 24 saves, and he is looking more like the Vezina Trophy winner that he is. Eller learns a lesson: Young Montreal forward Lars Eller mouthed out about the Oilers before last night's game calling them a "junior" team. Edmonton responded with a 4-3 win over the Canadiens.  While we are high on Eller's potential, he should learn to keep his mouth shut.  Young center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had 2 assists for the Oilers, and he now has 8 points in 8 games. We expect a good year from him.  More interesting is young Edmonton left wing  Mark Arcobello. Arcobello had 2 assists as well last night, and while he has yet to score a goal this season he does have 10 assists in 10 games.  Pick him up if you can... ...

RNH recorded six shots and had a power-play goal in the Oilers comeback win. After a successful rookie season, his sophomore year was nothing to write home about. One-goal in one-game is a solid way to start the season for the 2011 first overall pick.