Winnipeg @ Boston Ottawa @ Buffalo Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay Carolina @ Nashville Edmonton @ St. Louis Pittsburgh @ Dallas Minnesota @ Colorado RAY'S PICKS G: Pekka Rinne-NSH D: Kevin Shattenkirk-STL D: Anton Stralman-TB LW: Jonathan Drouin-TB LW: Valeri Nichushkin-DAL RW: Nikita Kucherov-TB RW: Troy Brouwer-STL C: Tyler SEguin-DAL C: Steven Stamkos-TB  

#5 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING The Lightning reached new heights last season as they finished 2 wins short of the Stanley Cup championship after losing to Chicago. Despite a very quiet offseason, these Bolts look well-equipped for another legitimate run at the title. The only major distraction that may get in the way is superstar Steven Stamkos being in a contract year and whether Steve Yzerman will be willing to ante up big for him while entering his prime. Regardless of that situation, they boast quite possibly the best second line in NHL, a Norris hopeful, and a blossoming star goalie. All the vital ingredients are there for sustained greatness. Goalies  Ben Bishop had his second straight standout season while posting a 40-13-5 record and emerging as an elite fantasy goalie option. Hot prospect Andrei Vasilevskiy has the ability to challenge him for more starts but his blood clot issues ell keep him out for about 2 months. So look for Big Ben to get off to a great start, but all Bishop owners need to handcuff him with the young backup. He's that good!   Defense Blue chipper Victor Hedman could have a Norris Trophy waiting in his path for '15-16 but needs to stay away from injury. Already owning a 55-point season on his resume, he scored 22 points in his first 28 games of '14-15 but ended up with 38 pts in just 56 games played. Look to snag him at a discount price as the elite blue liner will fall a bit due to his abbreviated season.  Don't overrate Anton Stralman who picked up 39 points mainly due to a bump in power-play minutes. His fantasy value rises when Hedman misses time. It's that simple... Jason Garrison is the real wild card here. His huge shot gets him on and off the power-play but his career high in points is a modest 33. Stiill, plus 30 in 3 of last 4 seasons is not too shabby. Well worth a late flier.   Forwards  In what world is 43 goals and 72 points not quite good enough? Well when you are Steven Stamkos and have never scored under a 89 point pace since your rookie year, alarm bells will ring after a significant point drop off last season. On the flip side, the Triplets line- Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat- combined for a NHL high 199 points. However, the talented trio won't be surprising anyone this time around and a slow start to the year could result in a line shake-up. All three are bound for a small regression except if one ends up on the Stamkos line. One thing is certain, SS is in his contract year and he will be ...

#5 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING The Lightning reached new heights last season as they finished 2 wins short of the Stanley Cup championship after losing to Chicago. Despite a very quiet offseason, these Bolts look well-equipped for another legitimate run at the title. The only major distraction that may get in the way is superstar Steven Stamkos being in a contract year and whether Steve Yzerman will be willing to ante up big for him while entering his prime. Regardless of that situation, they boast quite possibly the best second line in NHL, a Norris hopeful, and a blossoming star goalie. All the vital ingredients are there for sustained greatness. Goalies  Ben Bishop had his second straight standout season while posting a 40-13-5 record and emerging as an elite fantasy goalie option. Hot prospect Andrei Vasilevskiy has the ability to challenge him for more starts but his blood clot issues ell keep him out for about 2 months. So look for Big Ben to get off to a great start, but all Bishop owners need to handcuff him with the young backup. He's that good!   Defense Blue chipper Victor Hedman could have a Norris Trophy waiting in his path for '15-16 but needs to stay away from injury. Already owning a 55-point season on his resume, he scored 22 points in his first 28 games of '14-15 but ended up with 38 pts in just 56 games played. Look to snag him at a discount price as the elite blue liner will fall a bit due to his abbreviated season.  Don't overrate Anton Stralman who picked up 39 points mainly due to a bump in power-play minutes. His fantasy value rises when Hedman misses time. It's that simple... Jason Garrison is the real wild card here. His huge shot gets him on and off the power-play but his career high in points is a modest 33. Stiill, plus 30 in 3 of last 4 seasons is not too shabby. Well worth a late flier.   Forwards  In what world is 43 goals and 72 points not quite good enough? Well when you are Steven Stamkos and have never scored under a 89 point pace since your rookie year, alarm bells will ring after a significant point drop off last season. On the flip side, the Triplets line- Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat- combined for a NHL high 199 points. However, the talented trio won't be surprising anyone this time around and a slow start to the year could result in a line shake-up. All three are bound for a small regression except if one ends up on the Stamkos line. One thing is certain, SS is in his contract year and he will be ...

2015 PRIMEPUCKS™ EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS NEW YORK RANGERS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:  There is a connection between these two teams as both teams have some of the other team’s ex-teammates.  Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle are donning the red, white and blue of the Rangers while Anton Stralman, Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle have the Bolt emblazoned across their chest.  But that’s is where the connection ends.  The Rangers will see a switch from the physically demanding series against the Washington Capitals while the Lightning see a team built deeper than the Montreal Canadiens. The two teams met three times early in the season and it was the Bolts who prevailed in all three contests but things have changed over the course of the season and we all know that the playoffs are a different story.  The Lightning will see a much more focused Rangers team who don’t seem to get flustered no matter the circumstances. Being down 3 games to 1 last round didn’t faze them a bit as they rallied to win another series after being in that predicament like they were last year against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tampa brings much more scoring depth but the Rangers carry a deep defensive unit that plays so well in front of the Blueshirts last defense in Henrik Lundqvist.  Tampa goalie Ben Bishop is up against another elite net minder in Lundqvist after having gone face-to-face with Hart Trophy candidate Carey Price.   All Lundqvist has done is prove once again that he is a clutch goalie and that it won’t be easy for Tampa to find twine in this series.  Look for the Rangers to play the Lightning tight and for Lundqvist to get into the minds of the younger Tampa players.  The Rangers are built for the long playoff run, and with last season’s experience, that should help them get through this series.  With the way Lundqvist has been playing after missing 2 months of the season, it looks like he is in mid-season form.  Note one thing about the ‘King’, he has a 1.60GAA and a .944 SP and doesn’t have a shutout yet.  Perhaps he is due. As for this series’ fantasy options, besides Lundqvist, Steven Stamkos has been red-hot since the switch of Valtteri Filppula to centering his line and Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov are on quite a roll but expect that to slow down a bit against these New York Rangers.  The Rangers possess a deep and balanced scoring attack except that we don’t know what is going on with St. Louis as he is still looking for his first playoff goal this year.   Chris ...

SMC 4-5-2015 Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all on this pleasant Sunday morning.  The Hurricanes have some work cut out for them to be contenders next season, but they do have a good sore to build upon.  Remember that cam Ward is still only 31 years old. Claude Giroux must be playing with a nagging injury for half the season. I’ve been touting the Columbus Blue Jackets as the team to watch next season.  Well, they are ending this disappointing one with a 9-game winning streak at the moment. The Eastern Conference playoff teams should count their blessings that they won’t be facing these red-hot (and) Blue Jackets.  Congrats to Nick Foligno with his first career hattie.  He has had some breakout season. Pittsburgh has not been playing well of late but as long as they make the playoffs, everything changes. I’m thinking that David Savard is getting valuable ice time with Wisniewski gone to Anaheim.  He could be a great sleeper pick in September. The Winnipeg Jets are fighting tooth-and-nail for a playoff spot.  What city will have a blast if they make it? Bring ear plugs please. Alex Burrows-Henrik Sedin-Daniel Sedin combined for 7 points.  No, this isn’t 2009-2010. Ottawa is keeping the heat on Boston, and now Pittsburgh. The New York Islanders shut out the Buffalo Sabres but they are going to have to tighten up their game when they play against higher level talent or it will be a short ride. Zach Parise has to be the quietest 30-goal scorer in the NHL. Danny DeKeyser has been a bit of an assist-machine of late with 5 in his last 6 games.  Keep an eye on him for next year.  One of those last round picks. Steven Stamkos pretty much ended the Florida Panthers season last night with 2 goals and an assist. What was once a very intense rivalry is now just two teams heading in opposite directions as the New York Rangers trampled the New Jersey Devils 6-1 and the lone Devil goal came with just under 4 minutes remaining and the game well in hand for the Blueshirts. The Rangers are atop the NHL at this point and they have games in hand on the ones they are competing with. 3 different Rangers had a part in the scoring showing their balance. I think Tyler Johnson should be getting his deserved ‘props’ from here on out. The Predators once looked invincible but since the point Pekka Rinne got injured, they haven’t been the same team. If it weren’t for missing time due to an injury, Tyler Seguin would have won the scoring title hands down.  Boston, what were you ...

First of all, Happy Easter to all celebrating and a festive Palm sunday to my Christian Orthodox faithful. Second, I will include a few thoughts solely based on fantasy implications at it's quite apparent that most of the NHL drama is centered onplayoff implications. For those still in fantasy contention, this last week will be a pivotal one for sure but be sure to read our latest ISD and ADD'EM for last-second waiver-wire recommendations that can help. Because of the nature of this hectic day, I will add a few thoughts throughout the day: The Blue Jackets are for real, but injuries derailed a huge coming out party for them in 2014-15. Sergei Bobrovsky has won 8 straight and could be next year's Pekka Rinne if Columbus can stay relatively healthy. Nick Foligno's hat trick gave him 67 points on the season, turning in of fantasy's biggest surprise efforts. He should stay close to those numbers next season... Ryan Johansen will be a blue-chip stud, probably warranting an early round pick while Cam Atkinson has huge sleeper potential as a breakout candidate. Don't buy too much into Scott Hartnell's 25-goal, 55-point season as he is bound to regress as the young guns move up. Needless to say, plenty to gush about regarding Columbus fantasy appeal moving forward    Steven Stamkos snapped a seven-game skid with no goals, scoring twice and adding an assist in the 4-0 rout of Tampa Bay. While Alex Ovechkin is getting all the love as the NHL's premier sniper, let's not overlook what a fantasy game changer Stamkos always is. His 42 goals could have been much closer to 50+ if not for a super secondary scoring this season, led by one Tyler Johnson. Stamkos should still be drafted top two in all fantasy formats come next September... We have been used to Keith Yandle and Oliver-Ekman Larsson benefiting from each other in the scoring department but both have continued just fine on separate teams. While it took Yandle a while to get acclimated to playing on the Blueshirts, his offensive production has picked up in a big way. He collected a goal and an assist in the 6-1 win over the Devils, giving him 8 points in the last 8 games. Meanwhile, all OEL has done is score two more goals last night to improve his total to a career-high 23. Both should be elite fantasy options on the blueline next season... More to come later...

Bernier gives Devils fire, Lightning ground Red Wings, Ducks paddle on The days are getting longer and he games are getting tighter as the season draws nearer the playoffs.  In last night’s Devils-Sabres game, won by the Devils by a score of 3-1, there wasn’t much to talk about except Steve Bernier’s rise in fantasy value as he has taken over for the departed Jaromir Jagr in terms of production with 2 goals giving him 8 points in 8 March games.  I’d only play him if I were in desperation mode and no other options were available…. It was just three short weeks ago that the Detroit Red Wings were challenging for not only the top spot in the Atlantic division, but also the top spot in the Eastern Conference but March came in like a lion for Detroit as a they have lost 6 of 9 games to fall out of those competitions.  They are still firmly entrenched in a playoff spot and it is better to go through ha slump before the playoffs start so I’m sure the Red Wings will turn things around soon.  Pavel Datsyuk missed his second straight game and was sorely missed as the Red Wings could only muster 1 goal again without their talented Center.  I was a close game until Tampa Bay’s Alex Killorn broke the tie with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation.  Steven Stamkos added his 40th with an empty-netter to seal the 3-1 victory.  The lightning are still in the race for the Eastern Conference title & President’s Cup trophy…. Anaheim kept their hopes alive for the overall lead in NHL points as they edged the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime as Corey Perry got the game-winner, his 29th.  It was all defense as the Ducks took a 1-0 lead into the third period until a burst of scoring saw the Avs take a 2-1 lead with two goals in a two-minute span before the Ducks tied it less than two minutes after.  Frederik Andersen got the start for Anaheim after John Gibson started the last four.  Look for the rookie Gibson to be in net versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Okposo is back; Faulk and Barrie amongst the fantasy elite d-men; and more: It was an epic battle in New York as the Islanders took on the Rangers and it was the Rangers who came away with the regulation 2-1 victory that leaves them one point behind the Isles with 4 games in hand. Kyle Okposo returned to the Islanders lineup and saw some action on John Tavares’ line near the end of the third period so look for that combination to stick the rest of the way….Cam Talbot with yet another win as he continues to play superbly in place of the injured Henrik Lundqvist.  Talbot’s time is coming to an end soon as Lundqvist is close to returning to the lineup and will need a few weeks to get into top form for the playoffs…. Philadelphia didn’t do themselves any favors by losing another close one, this time 2-1 to the Dallas Stars.  What has happened to Claude Giroux and the rest of the Flyers offense?.... Scott Hartnell (2 PPG) was the reason the Carolina Hurricanes lost 4-3 in a shootout last night after leading 3-1 after the first period.  Although it doesn’t really matter for these two teams as they are just riding out the season….Canes D-man Justin Faulk had a goal and 2 power play assists to lead the Carolina offense.  Continue to play the young talent as he is having a career year on his way to 50 points…. Carey Price and Ben Bishop put on a heck'uva goalie duel in Montreal but the Lightning's Tyler Johnson stole the show with the overtime game-winner. The undrafted sophomore continues to plug away with a monster season, having collected nine points during his current seven-game streak. How many of us predicted any other besides Steven Stamkos to lead the Bolts in scoring? Hey, it could happen... Cory Schneider was chased out of the Jersey net by the swarming Minnesota Wild, who scored plenty in the 6-2 rout of the Devils. Devan Dubnyk has shown few signs of slowing down as he made 30 saves in his 25th straight start. Thomas Vanek scored twice while Zach Parise picked up two helpers. D-man Jared Spurgeon played a solid game, collecting a goal and an assist and showing little rust from his time gone due to injury. If you are in need of defense, he bears watching.. For Colorado, no Semyon Varlamov in goal usually means no win and last night's game against LA was no different. Rota Berra replaced an ineffective Calvin Pickard in the first period and the Kings behind Brayden McNabb's three points waliopped the Av's 5-2. Fantasy stud Tyson Barrie scored a goal, ...

Tavares stars again; Dubnyk can't lose; Stamkos heating up; and more: The Philadelphia Flyers got a much-needed win against a tough St. Louis Blues as they try to climb up into that last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.  Having goalie Steve Mason back in net surely will help the Flyers cause as he turned aside 28 of 29 shots on goal.  It looks like a four team race for the last spot with Ottawa and Florida all in the hunt for the spot occupied by the Boston Bruins at the moment…. Devan Dubnyk continues on a most unlikely run as he improved to 17-3-2 as the starting Minnesota Wild goalie.  Even in his losses he has played brilliantly.  Last year’s version is long forgotten but probably not in Edmonton…Jason Pominville provided all the offense DD would need as the Wild beat the Ovechkin-less Washington Capitals 2-1. Ovechkin was out with a lower-body injury but look for him to be back in the lineup in the next game…..Zach Parise assisted on both Pommer goals and should be in your starting lineup as he has the talent to get on a run in a hurry…. Boston gained a much needed point as they lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Calgary Flames who are having a fine season as they are in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference.  Flames goalie Karri Ramo has now won 3 of his last five starts and his numbers are impressive during that streak with a 1.80 GAA and a .947 SP.  If available, he could help your fantasy squad as the Flames are riding his hot play….   With Florida down to their third goalie, the Dallas Stars prevailed in the 4-3 shootout win. Kari Lehtonen was yanked early after another inconsistent effort leading to Jhonas Enroth's first win as a Star. The Dallas fantasy goalie situation has been in flux all season, mostly due to Lehtonen's wildly erratic play. Never know what you are getting... Easy game for the Bolt's as Steven Stamkos led the offense with two helpers in the 4-2 victory over the hapless Maple Leafs. Super "Stammer" has come to life after a mid-season slump, holding a current four-game point streak (4G/2A) and having collected 15 points over the last 15 games. Seems like a down year, but he should be 'cooking' down the stretch... The Nashville Predators keep sliding with their fourth straight loss, this time at the hands of the Islanders. John Tavares collected a goal and an assist on the night, improving to an NHL-leading 67 points. Most of us expected a slight drop-off after the Kyle Okposo injury, but JT has actually improved on ...

Hammond finally loses a game; Devils hang on in playoff race; Florida goalie trouble; and much more: The New Jersey Devils are hanging on to a sliver of playoff hope as they continue to push for a berth.  They may be too far behind but there is no giving up in Jersey.  Goalie Cory Schneider has been on top of his game of late and is the main reason why they are still alive, although barely.  The Devils took advantage of a Nashville Predator team that played the night before against the NY Rangers by scoring twice in the first 4 minutes and making them stand up as they won 3-1…Mike Cammalleri, with points in 6 straight games, and perhaps d-man Adam Larsson, 6 points in past 6 games, could be useful on your fantasy squad…. Calgary and Philadelphia are battling for their playoff lives and each did not disappoint last night with the Flames edging the Flyers 3-2 in overtime.   Calgary is holding on to the third playoff spot in the Pacific Division while the Flyers are trying to catch the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is better with Steve Mason back in net, but they need every point they can get and not getting the extra point may come back to haunt them in the end…. Sergei Bobrovsky was back in net for the Columbus Blue Jackets but Braden Holtby (27/30 SV) and the Washington Capitals were too much for him in his return.  Alex Ovechkin continues to pour them in with 2 goals giving him 43 on the year as he has not be hindered by Head Coach Barry Trotz’ defensive style...   Steven Stamkos' eighth goal in the last games was all the Lightning needed to defeat the rebuilding Buffalo sabres 3-0. Ben Bishop fantasy owners were bummed out when learning of the last-minute news that Andre Vasilevskiy was starting and probably getting the easy win that were you were counting on. Well, he did one better by posting the shut-out so it was a bad break for Bishop's boys... It was double trouble in Florida as the Panthers lost both their goalies during the game against the hapless Leafs, who ended a 16-game road losing streak in the 3-2 win. Thankfully for Roberto Luongo owners, he was able to return in the third period but the Panthers lost a crucial two points in their playoff run.. Here's hoping that Phil Kessel's lengthy rant in defense of the much-maligned Dion Phaneuf(which I thought was sooo appropriate!) gets him going a bit after a long scoring slide. A power=play assist last night is a good ...