Short schedule last night in th NHL with only 4 games played. Tampa Bay took out Toronto 5-3 as Steve Stamkos had a huge game with 3 goals. When he stays healthy Stamkos is one of the best fantasy forwards in the NHL.  He has 19 goals and 30 points for the year in only 24 games played.  Stay healthy Steve.  Young forward Tyler Johnson had a goal and an assist for Tampa as well, and with 44 points on the season, he is developing into fantasy relevance. Keep an eye on him.  Center Tyler Bozak had 2 assists for the Leafs. He has 42 points this season in only 47 games played .  Look for him next year in your draft.  The Blackhawks shut out the Blues 4-0 in a bit of a suprise, as Chicago had been struggling lately.  Great game for goaltender Corey Crawford as he had the shutout with 23 saves. At 27-12-10 on tthe year with a 2.21 GAA and a .919 SP, he has been playing well.   Defenseman Nick Leddy had 2 assists for Chicago, and with 28 points on the season he is a marginal 4th defenseman. Left wing Andrew Ladd had 2 goals for Winnipeg in their 5-4 win over Colorado. I have always liked Ladd who plays hard all the time.  He now has 50 points on the season with 2 goals.  You should pick him up if he is available in your pool.  He is very dependable.   Al Montoya got the win, and he is the man now in goal for the Jets with their injuries. His record is solid at 12-6-3 with a 2.26 GAA and a .921 SP.  Defenseman Tobias Enstrom had 2 assists or Winnipeg, but he has just 26 points on the season. Great game for Eddie Lack in goal for Vancouver as he shutout Nashville in a 2-0 win last night. Lack had 30 saves, and while he does have a losing record at 13-14-4,  he does have decent metrics with a 2.34 GAA and a .915 SP. Young Danish left wing Niklas Jensen had a goal for the Canucks, and with 5 points in only 7 games played this year he looks like a good up and comer.

Jarome Iginla continues to defy "Father Time" with another great effort, two more goals in the Bruins 4-1 win over Minnesota. The 36-year old is putting up elite fantasy numbers with his second straight 2-goal game and 7 points in the last 5 contests. It seems that the "light" went on for "Iggy" back on January 21st, when he and David Krejci exploded for a combined 8 points in the 6-1 rout of Philly. Since then, all he has done is collect 12 goals and 26 points in the last 19 games. Kudos to all fantasy owners who scooped him up during the ascent of his sizzling scoring streak. All of a sudden, Vancouver's slumping offense has been energized by winger Alex Burrows who lit the lamp twice and collected an assist last night. His second straight 3-point effort gives him 9 points in the last 5 games. His overall numbers are quite mediocre this season- 14 points in 39 games- but he has found his groove lately. Burrows is worth a look, given that Daniel Sedin could be returning soon and the 'Nucks need every goal to stay in the playoff chase. Keith Yandle is something else these days. The prolific offensive defenseman had another standout performance with a goal and an assist for Phoenix in the 4-3 win over the Kings. With 14 points in the last 15 games, Yandle leads his team in scoring with 49 points and is currently one of the better fantasy options on defense for the stretch run. I wish I had him.. Steven Stamkos will continue to get more acclimated to life without Martin St. Louis in Tampa with a few more games under his belt. Last night's performance, a power-play goal and an assist, bodes well for fantasy owners while Stamkos gets back to elite form. Marian Gaborik scored a power-play goal for the Kings, giving him 3 points in the last 3 games. He could start "cooking" now that he is developing some chemistry with Anze Kopitar. Watch him. A shining "Star" could be back soon, as Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen is nearing a return from a concussion. Well, there goes my crazy prognostication that Tim Thomas would be a fantasy savior over the last 20 games. For tonights Dallas-Pittsburgh matchup, we can also see the returns of coveted fantasy forwards James Neal and Chris Kunitz. Fantasy owners rejoice!

True to his nature, Jarome Iginla continued his second half scoring with his 21st of the year, the game-winner against Phoenix, giving him 36 points in the past 39 games.  Always has, and always will be a second half performer. Cam Ward is 2-0 in his last 2 matches against New York State teams as the Hurricanes beat the Sabres 4-2 last night. Those who were patient to hold onto while he was injured just may pay off in the stretch run as he should be well-rested to give the Canes a shot at a playoff spot. He seems to have wrested the starting job back from Anton Khudobin, who was very impressive while holding down the crease until Ward's return.  Alex Semin chipped in with a goal and an assist giving him 9 points in 8 games since the O-break. Semin is a dynamic scorer but has been known to be a bit injury-plagued.  Ride him while he's hot! Patrick Marleau was the Shark with bite as he potted 2 goals in the shootout win over Columbus last night. With those two goals, Marleau now has 9 points in 8 games since the O-break.  He may never get back to his 80-point days, but is a consistent 30-30 player who contributes on the power play. It was a hot one in Florida last night as Ben Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning held on to win 5-4. Bishop has been struggling of late but managed to win his 30th on the season. In his last 9 outings, he has gone 3-5-2 while giving up 33 regulation goals in those 9 those games perhaps showing signs of wearing down due to playing the most games of his short NHL career. Bit note for fantasy fans; Steven Stamkos scored the eventual game-winner on the power play and also added an assist. This could get the superstar going. The St. Louis Blues continue their trek to the President's Trophy as they manhandled the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. The Oil kept it a close game for a while until the Blues erupted for 4 third period goals giving Ryan Miller his 5th win against 1 loss as a member of the Notes. Those holding onto to Miller or who traded for him prior to his trade from Buffalo are starting to reap the rewards.   Jaden Schwartz had 2 goals in that 3rd period barrage, and has quietly amassed a 21-29-50 point season in 64 games. Schwartz should be a mainstay on the Blues offense for years to come.  T. J. Oshie had a goal and 2 assists giving him 53 points in 66 games. Oshie is another Blues player who should be a mainstay on the offense for the next few years. The only problem with Head Coach Hitchcock's system is that the offense is ...

Stamkos has played over 21 minutes in each of his first two games back and said that he felt good. The team says he just took his option; Stamkos said he would pick and choose days to take off.

Steven Stamkos returned to the Tampa Bay lineup last night and although the Bolts lost to the lowly Sabres, he acquitted himself quite well after a long layoff. Playing on a top line with Alex Killorn and Teddy Purcell, the star center was held scoreless but registered 5 shots on goal. There will be an adverse effect on his fantasy value without the great Martin St. Louis by his side, but Stamkos is good for 85-90 points a season regardless of who he lines up with. Give him a few games and the points will come. BTW, keep your eye on Purcell, who has definitely received a fantasy boost if he becomes the second scoring option on the Lightning. No points for Marian Gaborik in his Los Angeles King's debut, but the Slovakian sniper was skating with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on the first line. His addition to the top power-play slides Mike Richards down to the second unit. I am liking the chances here for solid offensive production from the Kings here on out, given that they have two legitimate scoring lines to roll every night. "Gabby" will need a few games to click with Kopitar, but Richards will not with Jeff Carter. The two have been linemates since their Philly days, so expect a modest rise in fantasy value for Richards. Thomas Vanek had a quiet games for his new club in Montreal, playing on a second line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. I am not sold on him being a point-per-game performer moving forward, considering coach Michel Therrien's intentions to keep the top line of Desharnais-Pacioretty-Gallagher intact. However, if Vanek can eventually click with Alex Galchenyuk, then we might have ourselves a new no. 1 line in Habs Nation. We still need to see how the lines play out in Montreal. Keep tabs on the Islander's Anders Lee, who after scoring a goal in the overtime loss to Edmonton, now has four in the last five games since his AHL recall after the Olympic Break. Our own "Razor" has noticed, so make sure to check out his latest installation of Under The Raydar. The fantasy star of the night was the Dallas Star's Tyler Seguin, who turned in a masterful performance with a "hat trick" and two assists in the 6-1 romp of Vancouver. He now has collected 4+ points on five different occasions this season, giving him 63 points(28G/35A) in 61 games. Jamie Benn was also huge with a goal and two helpers. Look for this duo to take another step toward fantasy stardom in '14-15, as they should develop more consistency while playing together in Year 2....

Steven Stamkos returned to the Tampa Bay lineup last night and although the Bolts lost to the lowly Sabres, he acquitted himself quite well after a long layoff. Playing on a top line with Alex Killorn and Teddy Purcell, the star center was held scoreless but registered 5 shots on goal. There will be an adverse effect on his fantasy value without the great Martin St. Louis by his side, but Stamkos is good for 85-90 points a season regardless of who he lines up with. Give him a few games and the points will come. BTW, keep your eye on Purcell, who has definitely received a fantasy boost if he becomes the second scoring option on the Lightning. No points for Marian Gaborik in his Los Angeles King's debut, but the Slovakian sniper was skating with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams on the first line. His addition to the top power-play slides Mike Richards down to the second unit. I am liking the chances here for solid offensive production from the Kings here on out, given that they have two legitimate scoring lines to roll every night. "Gabby" will need a few games to click with Kopitar, but Richards will not with Jeff Carter. The two have been linemates since their Philly days, so expect a modest rise in fantasy value for Richards. Thomas Vanek had a quiet games for his new club in Montreal, playing on a second line with Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta. I am not sold on him being a point-per-game performer moving forward, considering coach Michel Therrien's intentions to keep the top line of Desharnais-Pacioretty-Gallagher intact. However, if Vanek can eventually click with Alex Galchenyuk, then we might have ourselves a new no. 1 line in Habs Nation. We still need to see how the lines play out in Montreal. Keep tabs on the Islander's Anders Lee, who after scoring a goal in the overtime loss to Edmonton, now has four in the last five games since his AHL recall after the Olympic Break. Our own "Razor" has noticed, so make sure to check out his latest installation of Under The Raydar. The fantasy star of the night was the Dallas Star's Tyler Seguin, who turned in a masterful performance with a "hat trick" and two assists in the 6-1 romp of Vancouver. He now has collected 4+ points on five different occasions this season, giving him 63 points(28G/35A) in 61 games. Jamie Benn was also huge with a goal and two helpers. Look for this duo to take another step toward fantasy stardom in '14-15, as they should develop more consistency while playing together in Year 2....

Stamkos has missed 45 games with fractured right tibia but his long awaited return will come on Thursday against the Sabres. This has to feel like the best trade deadline acquisition for the Lightning. Stamkos was excellent before getting hurt. He scored 14 goals and nine assists (23 points) in 17 games. He is a tremendous athlete and will probably be able to pick-up right where he left off.

Stamkos will meet with doctors on Wednesday as he awaits word on whether or not he can play on Thursday.

With the Buffalo-Carolina matchup rescheduled for tonight due to a winter storm postponement, the NHL arrives a day earlier than originally thought after the Olympic Break. All eyes will be on Buffalo starting goalie Ryan Miller, who according to many insider sources will be actively shopped prior to the trade deadline. Despite not many possible takers, a few teams should be interested in a veteran netminder who has the seventh best SP(.923) in the NHL amongst goaltenders with at least 30 starts. His fantasy value will skyrocket in the short-term if he lands in either St. Louis or Minnesota. Yes, Jaroslav Halak and Darcy Kuemper owners need to hope that both goalies quell such rumors with immediate great play in the crease. Much to the dismay of Steven Stamkos owners in head-to-head leagues in their initial playoff rounds, the star center will miss the team's upcoming 4-game road trip as he has yet to be medically cleared by doctors to resume playing in live games. He is targeting their home game against Buffalo on March 6th, which means fantasy owners should sit him if the upcoming scoring period consists of the next 2 weeks. Here are some key injury news to consider: Paul Martin will miss 4-6 weeks for Pittsburgh after breaking his hand in the Olympics. The Penguins are a bit thin on defense with Martin and Letang out, but Finnish rookie Olli Maatta and current powerplay QB Matt Niskanen have received a tremendous fantasy boost with these injuries.. Consider Vancouver's Ryan Kesler questionable for Wednesday's contest after undergoing an MRI on his hand. It seems his hand injury after blocking an Ilya Kovalchuk shot in USA's game against Russia is still an issue.. Patrik Elias should be ready to go for the Devil's matchup against Columbus after he revealed he was suffering from bronchitis during the Olympic Games. Get him in your lineups, as he will be the prime offensive contributor for a team battling for the playoffs.

With the Buffalo-Carolina matchup rescheduled for tonight due to a winter storm postponement, the NHL arrives a day earlier than originally thought after the Olympic Break. All eyes will be on Buffalo starting goalie Ryan Miller, who according to many insider sources will be actively shopped prior to the trade deadline. Despite not many possible takers, a few teams should be interested in a veteran netminder who has the seventh best SP(.923) in the NHL amongst goaltenders with at least 30 starts. His fantasy value will skyrocket in the short-term if he lands in either St. Louis or Minnesota. Yes, Jaroslav Halak and Darcy Kuemper owners need to hope that both goalies quell such rumors with immediate great play in the crease. Much to the dismay of Steven Stamkos owners in head-to-head leagues in their initial playoff rounds, the star center will miss the team's upcoming 4-game road trip as he has yet to be medically cleared by doctors to resume playing in live games. He is targeting their home game against Buffalo on March 6th, which means fantasy owners should sit him if the upcoming scoring period consists of the next 2 weeks. Here are some key injury news to consider: Paul Martin will miss 4-6 weeks for Pittsburgh after breaking his hand in the Olympics. The Penguins are a bit thin on defense with Martin and Letang out, but Finnish rookie Olli Maatta and current powerplay QB Matt Niskanen have received a tremendous fantasy boost with these injuries.. Consider Vancouver's Ryan Kesler questionable for Wednesday's contest after undergoing an MRI on his hand. It seems his hand injury after blocking an Ilya Kovalchuk shot in USA's game against Russia is still an issue.. Patrik Elias should be ready to go for the Devil's matchup against Columbus after he revealed he was suffering from bronchitis during the Olympic Games. Get him in your lineups, as he will be the prime offensive contributor for a team battling for the playoffs.