Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

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New York Islanders 1 @ New Jersey Devils 6
Goaltending match-up: Martin Biron (36/42, .857 SV%) vs. Martin Brodeur (22/23, .957 SV%)
Net notes: Biron was 8-13-2-2 vs. NJD with 2.93/ .901 splits and two shutouts. Brodeur was 41-23-4-2 vs. NYI with 2.21/ .913 splits and 10 shutouts.

Matt Moulson John Tavares Kyle Okposo
Sean Bergenheim Frans Nielsen Trent Hunter
Jeff Tambellini Josh Bailey Jon Sim
Nate Thompson Richard Park Tim Jackman

Mark Streit Bruno Gervais
Brendan Witt Freddy Meyer
Andrew MacDonald Jack Hillen

Zach Parise Travis Zajac Niclas Bergfors
Brian Rolston Patrik Elias Jamie Langenbrunner
Vladimir Zharkov Dean McAmmond Matt Halischuk
Andrew Peters Rod Pelley Ilkka Pikkarainen

Colin White Mike Mottau
Bryce Salvador Andy Greene
Mark Fraser Matthew Corrente

Key notes: Richard Park (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 17:29 TOI, 0:50 PP, 0:11 PK, 4 SOG, 11-10 FO for 52%) halted a stretch of five games where he had no points. Sean Bergenheim (1A, even, 15:45 TOI, 0:01 PP, 0:32 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three of his past four after five without one.

Top PP times (NYI): Tavares (6:45), Streit (6:12), Okposo (5:40), Hunter (5:38) and Moulson (4:14)
Top PP times (NJD): Langenbrunner (1:36), Rolston (1:32), Elias (1:32), Greene (1:28) and Zajac (1:04)

Zach Parise (1G, +1, 20:30 TOI, 1:04 PP, 2:56 PK, 5 SOG) pushed his point streak to 10 games and he also has goals in eight of those affairs. Not surprisingly with someone who is scoring so regularly, he's been shooting the puck a lot - at least three per game in that span with 41 SOG in that period before today's bottom line.

Patrik Elias (2G, 2A, +3, 2 PIM, 18:22 TOI, 1:32 PP, 1:48 PK, 4 SOG, 3-11 FO for 21%) has points in five of six with six points in that span before today's output. This was his third multi-pointer since then too. Brian Rolston (1G, 2A, +3, 19:20 PP, 1:32 PP, 3:33 PK, 7 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) had five November points headed in here. Andy Greene (1A, even, 22:36 TOI, 1:28 PP, 4:13 PK, 2 SOG) has points in two of three after four without one. He had eight in November coming in here. Niclas Bergfors (1A, +2, 13:52 TOI, 0:32 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has helpers in two of three after three without a point. He had 15 points in '09-10 before this matinee.

Jamie Langenbrunner (2A, +2, 2 PIM, 17:22 TOI, 1:36 PP, 1:19 PK, 3 SOG) had 20 points in 23 GP overall coming in and aside from the first few weeks of the season he has been extremely consistent and productive. Travis Zajac (1A, +1, 18:52 TOI, 1:04 PP, 3:31 PK, 1 SOG, 12-7 FO for 63%) has points in six of his past eight with eight points in seven tries coming into today. Vladimir Zharkov (even, 14:40 TOI, 0:56 PP, no PK, 5 SOG), who was a third round pick from 2006, made his NHL debut today. He has 20 points (6/14) in 22 GP with Lowell so far in the AHL.

Ottawa Senators 3 @ Boston Bruins 4 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Brian Elliott (30/33, .909 SV%) vs. Tim Thomas (19/22, .864 SV%)
Net notes: Elliott was 0-0-2 vs. BOS coming in with 2.77/ .897 splits. Thomas was 13-5-2 vs. OTT with 2.12/ .934 splits and three shutouts.

Milan Michalek Jason Spezza Daniel Alfredsson
Nick Foligno Mike Fisher Alex Kovalev
Jarkko Ruutu Chris Kelly Jonathan Cheechoo
Peter Regin Jesse Winchester Ryan Shannon

Chris Phillips Filip Kuba
Chris Campoli Erik Karlsson
Alexandre Picard Matt Carkner

Blake Wheeler Marc Savard Byron Bitz
Vladimir Sobotka David Krejci Michael Ryder
Marco Sturm Patrice Bergeron Mark Recchi
Daniel Paille Steve Begin Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara Derek Morris
Andrew Ference Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart Matt Hunwick

Key notes: Daniel Alfredsson (1G, 1A, +2, 19:28 TOI, 3:05 PP, 2:48 PK, 3 SOG) had gone three games without chipping in a point, which was his longest stretch of futility to date. Milan Michalek (2G, 1A, +2, 21:00 TOI, 3:05 PP, 3:22 PK, 2 SOG) has collected points in six of his past seven now. He also scored with 20 seconds left in the third period to push the game to extra time. Jason Spezza (1A, +2, 19:04 TOI, 3:05 PP, 0:30 PK, 3 SOG, 12-9 FO for 57%) has four points in five games after going six without one.

Alexandre Picard (2A, +2, 23:20 TOI, 2:58 PP, 3:29 PK, no SOG) had picked up five points in six efforts before today. Mike Fisher (even, 20:49 TOI, 3:14 PP, 2:41 PK, 4 SOG, 8-9 FO for 47%) was back in action tonight.

Top PP times (OTT): Campoli (3:28), Karlsson (3:21), Fisher (3:14), Kovalev (3:14) and three with 3:05
Top PP times (BOS): Wheeler (4:53), Wideman (4:28), Recchi (4:21), Krejci (4:12) and Bergeron (3:42)

Michael Ryder (1G, -1, 14:19 TOI, 2:39 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) stopped a four-game pointless skid and he scored the only goal of the shootout. David Krejci (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 19:31 TOI, 4:12 PP, 1:05 PK, 2 SOG, 5-4 FO for 56%) had five points in seven outings coming in here and Dennis Wideman (1G, 1A, even, 27:14 TOI, 4:28 PP, 1:24 PK, 3 SOG) had five of his seven points in '09-10 in his past nine starts.

Mark Recchi (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 17:57 TOI, 4:21 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has points in six of his past 11 affairs. Zdeno Chara (1A, -2, 24:44 TOI, 3:00 PP, 3:34 PK, no SOG) had 15 points in 33 GP vs. his former team and he had seven points in November before this one began. Blake Wheeler (1A, even, 20:28 TOI, 4:53 PP, 1:42 PK, 3 SOG) had five points in his past seven clashes coming in here.

Carolina Hurricanes 1 @ Buffalo Sabres 5
Goaltending match-up: Michael Leighton (19/25, .792 SV%) vs. Ryan Miller (30/31, .968 SV%)
Net notes: Leighton was 0-1-0 vs. BUF with 3.34/ .880 splits coming in. Miller was 8-3-2 vs. CAR with 2.64/ .913 splits.

Sergei Samsonov Eric Staal Erik Cole
Jussi Jokinen Matt Cullen Tuomo Ruutu
Ray Whitney Brandon Sutter Patrick Dwyer
Stephane Yelle Rod Brind'Amour Tom Kostopoulos

Tim Gleason Joe Corvo
Aaron Ward Andrew Alberts
Niclas Wallin Bryan Rodney

Thomas Vanek Derek Roy Jason Pominville
Clarke MacArthur Tim Connolly Drew Stafford
Jochen Hecht Tim Kennedy Mike Grier
Nathan Paetsch Matt Ellis Adam Mair

Henrik Tallinder Tyler Myers
Chris Butler Andrej Sekera
Toni Lydman Steve Montador

Key notes: Matt Cullen (1G, even, 15:51 TOI, 1:10 PP, 2:44 PK, 1 SOG, 6-7 FO for 46%) has goals back-to-back with points in six of eight.

Top PP times (CAR): Corvo (6:19), Staal (6:04), Whitney (5:07), Rodney (5:01) and Ruutu (3:43)
Top PP times (BUF): Connolly (6:19), Stafford (6:12), Butler (6:01), Vanek (5:53) and Pominville (5:50)

Thomas Vanek (1G, 1A, +2, 16:37 TOI, 5:53 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) had eight points in 11 GP this month coming in, but was -8 in that time too. Chris Butler (1A, +1, 20:57 TOI, 6:01 PP, no PK, no SOG) has come up with helpers in four of five. Clarke MacArthur (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 19:08 TOI, 3:03 PP, 1:07 PK, 2 SOG, 4-4 FO for 50%) has a point in six of his past 10 stars, while Tyler Myers (3A, even, 20:50 TOI, 3:04 PP, 4:42 PK, 1 SOG) has helpers in two straight after having one in seven.

Derek Roy (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 17:08 TOI, 2:35 PP, 1:57 PK, 3 SOG, 10-9 FO for 53%) had two points in five tries before this one began with 16 points in all coming in. Jochen Hecht (1G, 1A, even, 18:00 TOI, 2:42 PP, 4:36 PK, 3 SOG, 4-3 FO for 57%) had just one point in November before getting something here.

Washington Capitals 4 @ Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Semyon Varlamov (21/24, .875 SV%) vs. Carey Price (20/23, .870 SV%)
Net notes: Varlamov was 1-0-0 vs. MON coming in with 1.00/ .970 splits. Price was 1-0-2 vs. WAS with 3.23/ .898 splits.

Alex Ovechkin Nicklas Backstrom Alexandre Giroux
Brooks Laich Brendan Morrison Eric Fehr
Tomas Fleischmann Mathieu Perreault Chris Clark
Matt Bradley Dave Steckel Jay Beagle

Jeff Schultz Mike Green
John Erskine Brian Pothier
Karl Alzner Milan Jurcina

Michael Cammalleri Tomas Plekanec Sergei Kostitsyn
Max Pacioretty Glen Metropolit Travis Moen
Tom Pyatt Maxim Lapierre Ryan White
Jay Leach Kyle Chipchura J.T. Wyman

Roman Hamrik Jaroslav Spacek
Josh Gorges Paul Mara
Marc-Andre Bergeron Ryan O'Marra

Key notes: Alex Ovechkin (1G, 1A, +1, 25:32 TOI, 3:34 PP, 0:06 PK, 8 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) loves the big stage and he was bound to score in front of the hockey-loving crowd in Montreal tonight, especially with him getting boed everytime he touched the puck. He had 10G, 10A in 17GP vs. MON coming in here and the guy just keeps on producing night after night.

Nicklas Backstrom (1A, +1, 24:22 TOI, 2:39 PP, 2:21 PK, 2 SOG, 8-9 FO for 47%) had one point in seven games coming in here, but his next offensive explosion has to be just around the corner. He scored the only goal in the shootout and it was a pretty sick shot. Alexandre Giroux (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 14:36 TOI, no PP, 0:17 PK, 1 SOG) was called up and he got the lottery ticket of playing with the big boys here to begin the game. He has points in two of his four games with the Caps this year.

Brooks Laich (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 20:39 TOI, 2:25 PP, 1:29 PK, 1 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) had six points in four games at the start of the month, but then just three in eight coming in here. Eric Fehr (2G, +1, 17:13 TOI, 1:39 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has points in three straight and seven of 10. Karl Alzner (1A, even, 20:05 TOI, no PP, 3:08 PK, no SOG) made his first scoring summary appearance of the season in his second game on this call-up. Tomas Fleischmann (1A, even, 16:02 TOI, 1:53 PP, 0:35 PK, 1 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) had gone four games without a point.

Top PP times (WAS): Green (3:50), Ovechkin (3:34), Backstrom (2:39), Laich (2:25) and Morrison (1:36)
Top PP times (MON): Cammalleri (5:11), Bergeron (5:05), Plekanec (4:33), Metropolit (4:33) and Mara (3:12)

Tomas Plekanec (1G, even, 25:56 TOI, 4:33 PP, 1:49 PK, 3 SOG, 7-14 FO for 33%) had two points the last time he faced this team and he had 24 points in 25 GP overall coming in. Roman Hamrlik (2A, +1, 25:07 TOI, 1:28 PP, 1:49 PK, no SOG) has points in three of his past five, while Jaroslav Spacek (1G, 1A, even, 21:39 TOI, 0:50 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) was back in the line-up tonight and he has points in his past two appearances after five without one.

Max Pacioretty (1A, even, 4 PIM, 20:08 TOI, 2:02 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has points in three straight and five of six. Marc-Andre Bergeron (1A, -1, 19:55 TOI, 5:05 PP, 0:07 PK, 3 SOG) had eight points in seven games vs. WAS before his third period helper and he had six points in seven affairs overall coming in. Michael Cammalleri (1A, even, 26:17 TOI, 5:11 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) had five points in four games coming into this evening.

Philadelphia Flyers 0 @ Atlanta Thrashers 1
Goaltending match-up: Brian Boucher (17/18, .944 SV%) vs. Johan Hedberg (34/34)
Net notes: Boucher was 4-2-2-0 vs. ATL with 2.09/ .911 splits coming in. Hedberg was 1-7-1-0 vs. PHI with 3.64/ .871 splits. This was his first shutout of the season, 12th of his career and first since '07-8.

Scott Hartnell Mike Richards Jeff Carter
James van Riemsdyk Claude Giroux Arron Asham
Daniel Carcillo Mika Pyorala Ian Laperriere
Jon Kalinski Andreas Nodl Riley Cote

Braydon Coburn Kimmo Timonen
Chris Pronger Matt Carle
Oskars Bartulis Ryan Parent

Ilya Kovalchuk Nik Antropov Maxim Afinogenov
Slava Kozlov Todd White Bryan Little
Evander Kane Rich Peverley Colby Armstrong
Eric Boulton Marty Reasoner Chris Thorburn

Zach Bogosian Ron Hainsey
Tobias Enstrom Pavel Kubina
Mark Popovic Christoph Schubert

Key notes:

Top PP times (PHI): Richards (5:20), Carter (5:12), Pronger (5:06), Carle (4:34) and Giroux (4:30)
Top PP times (ATL): Kovalchuk (5:27), Enstrom (5:11), Peverley (3:24), Afinogenov (3:24) and Antropov (3:24)

Maxim Afinogenov (1A, even, 4 PIM, 18:39 TOI, 3:24 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had seven points in seven Saturday games before tonight's action. Hey, I've almost run out of stuff to say about the guy. Sweet, sweet production. Rich Peverley (1G, even, 22:48 TOI, 3:24 PP, 4:17 PK, 1 SOG, 11-6 FO for 65%) has goals back-to-back and a brief spell of one point in four tries. On the whole, he's been terrific. Pavel Kubina (1A, even, 24:14 TOI, 0:49 PP, 4:58 PK, 2 SOG) has helpers in four of six.

Calgary Flames 4 @ Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Curtis McElhinney (29/32, .906 SV%) vs. Steve Mason (29/32, .906 SV%)
Net notes: McElhinney was 0-1-0 vs. CBJ coming in with 3.10/ .894 splits. Mason was 3-2-1 vs. CGY with 2.47/ .906 splits and one shutout.

Jamie Lundmark Olli Jokinen Jarome Iginla
Nigel Dawes Daymond Langkow David Moss
Curtis Glencross Craig Conroy Eric Nystrom
Fredrik Sjostrom Dustin Boyd Brandon Prust

Dion Phaneuf Robyn Regehr
Jay Bouwmeester Mark Giordano
Adam Pardy Aaron Johnson

Raffi Torres Antoine Vermette Rick Nash
Kristian Huselius Derick Brassard R.J. Umberger
Jason Chimera Samuel Pahlsson Jakub Voracek
Jared Boll Derek MacKenzie Mike Blunden

Jan Hejda Rostislav Klesla
Anton Stralman Fedor Tyutin
Marc Methot Mike Commodore

Key notes: Olli Jokinen (1G, 1A, -1, 23:32 TOI, 3:00 PP, 0:28 PK, 2 SOG, 9-13 FO for 41%) has goals in two straight games and he's actually been really productive in November. He also scored in the shootout. Jarome Iginla (2A, even, 26:12 TOI, 3:08 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had three points the last time he squared off against the Jackets. He had 16 points in 12 GP this month coming in. Jay Bouwmeester (1A, +1, 26:12 TOI, 3:06 PP, 1:58 PK, 6 SOG) had gone three games without a point but he has points in five of eight overall.

Dustin Boyd (1G, +1, 12:15 TOI, no PP, 0:12 PK, 1 SOG, 3-2 FO for 60%) had gone five games without a point. Nigel Dawes (1G, +1, 16:16 TOI, 1:25 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) and Jamie Lundmark also scored in the shootout. Dawes has goals in three straight games.

Daymond Langkow (1A, +1, 19:35 TOI, 1:22 PP, 1:29 PK, 2 SOG, 5-9 FO for 36%) has five points over his past five outings, while David Moss (1A, even, 13:36 TOI, 1:14 PP, no PK, 1 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) has points in four of five and he nabbed his 10th point of the season here.

Top PP times (CGY): Phaneuf (3:21), Iginla (3:08), Bouwmeester (3:06), Jokinen (3:00) and Lundmark (2:57)
Top PP times (CBJ): Umberger (1:57), Brassard (1:48), Tyutin (1:35), Voracek (1:32) and Klesla (1:32)

Rick Nash (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 23:30 TOI, 0:50 PP, 0:47 PK, 4 SOG) had just one goal in six games before tonight with three points in that span, although he began the night with 27 points on the season. He fired one home in the shootout too. Derick Brassard (1A, even, 15:45 TOI, 1:48 PP, 0:19 PK, 3 SOG, 2-2 FO for 50%) has points in four of five now, while Kristian Huselius (2A, +1, 2 PIM, 21:10 TOI, 0:50 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has points in seven of eight after this evening. He scored in the shootout.

Jakub Voracek (1A, -2, 15:45 TOI, 1:32 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) has points in three of his past six outings, while Rostislav Klesa (1A, +1, 26:29 TOI, 1:32 PP, 2:19 PK, no SOG) has helpers in three of six now.

New York Rangers 3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins 8
Goaltending match-up: Stephen Valiquette (25/33, .758 SV%) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (22/25, .880 SV%)
Net notes: Valiquette had never started vs. PIT before tonight. MAF was 13-8-5 vs. NYR with 2.69/ .912 splits and two shutouts.

Christopher Higgins Vaclav Prospal Marian Gaborik
Ales Kotalik Chris Drury Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery Artem Anisimov P.A. Parenteau
Aaron Voros Enver Lisin Donald Brashear

Marc Staal Michal Rozsival
Michael Del Zotto Daniel Girardi
Bobby Sanguinetti Matt Gilroy

Max Talbot Sidney Crosby Bill Guerin
Pascal Dupuis Evgeni Malkin Ruslan Fedotenko
Matt Cooke Jordan Staal Tyler Kennedy
Michael Rupp Craig Adams Eric Godard

Brooks Orpik Sergei Gonchar
Mark Eaton Kris Letang
Alex Goligoski Martin Skoula

Key notes: Add another two points to the totals of Marian Gaborik (2A, even, 20:18 TOI, 3:24 PP, 2:49 PK, 2 SOG), who has been a fantasy beast in '09-10. He has points in all but three starts so far. Sean Avery (1A, +1, 19 PIM, 15:17 TOI, 3:04 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) added some big PIM near the end of this one and he has five points in six games with PIM in six of nine. Vaclav Prospal (1A, even, 2 PIM, 20:28 TOI, 3:04 PP, 3:35 PK, 3 SOG, 6-13 FO for 32%) had seven of his 24 points on the season in November coming in here.

Chris Drury (1A, -2, 20:15 TOI, 4:01 PP, 6:18 PK, 2 SOG, 6-8 FO for 43%) has points in two of three since coming back. Matt Gilroy (1G, even, 16:23 TOI, 1:27 PP, 4:26 PK, 1 SOG) has goals in two of four, but his production has been pretty sparse. Ales Kotalik (1A, -1, 11:09 TOI, 1:24 PP, 1:31 PK, no SOG) stopped a five-game pointless slide.

Top PP times (NYR): Drury (4:01), Del Zotto (3:31), Gaborik (3:24), Avery (3:04) and Prospal (3:04)
Top PP times (PIT): Crosby (9:07), Malkin (8:59), Gonchar (8:21), Goligoski (8:01) and Guerin 5:39)

Sidney Crosby (3G, 2A, +4, 19:59 TOI, 9:07 PP, no PK, 5 SOG, 15-5 FO for 75%) had a huge night for his poolies and he now has 14 in nine starts since ending that five-game pointless slide. Evgeni Malkin's (1G, 1A, +2, 23:10 TOI, 8:59 PP, 0:12 PK, 5 SOG, 3-0 FO for 100%) pair also pushed his point streak to six affairs, while Sergei Gonchar (2A, even, 25:18 TOI, 8:21 PP, 3:20 PK, 1 SOG) has points in each of his past three.

Alex Goligoski (2A, even, 21:16 TOI, 8:01 PP, 0:56 PK, no SOG) and Kris Letang (2A, +2, 18:04 TOI, 4:28 PP, 0:38 PK, 3 SOG) were back in the line-up tonight and thet make a big difference in the depth of that blueline.

Bill Guerin (1A, +3, 2 PIM, 16:06 TOI, 5:39 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has points in six of his past eight, while Ruslan Fedotenko (1A, even, 13:07 TOI, 2:29 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) stopped a six-game pointless skid. Max Talbot (1G, +2, 13:58 TOI, 1:09 PP, 2:40 PK, 1 SOG) has points in two of three now. Pascal Dupuis (1G, +1, 12:27 TOI, 0:45 PP, 1:56 PK, 1 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) has points in four of eight.

Detroit Red Wings 4 @ St. Louis Blues 3 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Jimmy Howard (32/35, .914 SV%) vs. Chris Mason (33/36, .917 SV%)
Net notes: Howard was 0-1-0 vs. STL with 5.14/ .844 splits. Mason was 6-6-2 vs. DET with 3.23/ .906 splits.

Todd Bertuzzi Pavel Datsyuk Tomas Holmstrom
Ville Leino Henrik Zetterberg Danny Cleary
Kris Draper Darren Helm Patrick Eaves
Brad May Justin Abdelkader Drew Miller

Nicklas Lidstrom Brian Rafalski
Brad Stuart Jonathan Ericsson
Brett Lebda Derek Meech

David Perron Andy McDonald Brad Boyes
Paul Kariya David Backes T.J. Oshie
Alexander Steen Jay McClement B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester Keith Tkachuk Cam Janssen

Barret Jackman Roman Polak
Darryl Sydor Mike Weaver
Carlo Colaiacovo Erik Johnson

Key notes: Pavel Datsyuk (1A, even, 22:35 TOI, 0:28 PP, 1:51 PK, 3 SOG, 7-9 FO for 44%) and Todd Bertuzzi (1A, even, 13:52 TOI, no PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) scored in the shootout for the Wings. Datsyuk only had two points in six games coming in. Bertuzzi ended a six-game pointless skid, but has just 10 points this season. Tomas Holmstrom (1G, 1A, even, 14:22 TOI, 0:28 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) had gone seven games without a point, while Henrik Zetterberg (1G, 1A, -1, 21:47 TOI, 0:28 PP, 1:14 PK, 2 SOG, 14-8 FO for 64%) was without a point in four tries before tonight's effort.

Top PP times (DET): Lidstrom (0:28), Datsyuk (0:28), Rafalski (0:28), Zetterberg (0:28) and Holmstrom (0:28)
Top PP times (STL): Johnson (2:32), McDonald (2:32), Boyes (2:32), Colaiacovo (2:32) and Tkachuk (2:31)

Andy McDonald (1A, +1, 18:49 TOI, 2:32 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 7-5 FO for 58%) scored the only STL shootout goal. He had one lone point in six outings coming in here. David Backes (1G, 1A, +2, 19:44 TOI, 1:28 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 5-13 FO for 28%) has really been coming on offensively in the past week, so you may want to see if he was dropped by a frustrated owner in your standard league to get his point/ PIM/ SOG combo. Brad Boyes (1G, +1, 18:05 TOI, 2:32 PP, no PK, 4 SOG, 1-6 FO for 14%) has points in four straight with goals back-to-back.

David Perron (2A, +1, 16:50 TOI, 0:38 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) had eight November points headed in here. Paul Kariya (1A, +1, 19:25 TOI, 1:28 PP, no PK, 6 SOG) added his 10th point and he has three in his past five now.

Florida Panthers 1 @ Nashville Predators 4
Goaltending match-up: Scott Clemmensen (25/28, .893 SV%) vs. Dan Ellis (23/24, .958 SV%)
Net notes: Clemmensen was 1-0-1 vs. NAS with 1.93/ .923 splits coming in. Ellis was 1-0-0 vs. FLA with 3.01/ .889 splits.

Michael Frolik Stephen Weiss Nathan Horton
Rostislav Olesz Steven Reinprecht Radek Dvorak
Kenndal McArdle Dominic Moore Kamil Kreps
Steve MacIntyre Shawn Matthias Victor Oreskovich

Bryan Allen Bryan McCabe
Keith Ballard Jordan Leopold
Dennis Seidenberg Dmitry Kulikov

Steve Sullivan Jason Arnott J.P. Dumont
Jerred Smithson David Legwand Joel Ward
Jordin Tootoo Marcel Goc Martin Erat
Mike Santorelli Dave Scatchard Patric Hornqvist

Shea Weber Ryan Suter
Dan Hamhuis Cody Franson
Kevin Klein Francis Bouillon

Key notes: Jordan Leopold (1G, even, 18:59 TOI, 2:01 PP, 4:27 PK, 1 SOG) got the only goal for Florida and that was only his second goal and point in November. Nathan Horton (1A, even, 21:18 TOI, 5:56 PP, 2:21 PK, no SOG) has points in eight of nine, while Stephen Weiss (1A, even, 21:04 TOI, 5:52 PP, 2:21 PK, 2 SOG, 9-13 FO for 41%) has 11 points in his past 11 starts.

Top PP times (FLA): McCabe (6:48), Reinprecht (6:19), Horton (5:56), Weiss (5:52) and Kulikov (5:02)
Top PP times (NAS): Weber (4:50), Arnott (4:18), Sullivan (4:13), Suter (4:05) and Dumont (3:57)

Jason Arnott (1A, even, 16:01 TOI, 4:18 PP, 0:12 PK, 2 SOG, 9-7 FO for 56%) has points in five of six with seven points in that span, while Steve Sullivan (1A, even, 2 PIM, 15:42 TOI, 4:13 PP, 0:05 PK, 2 SOG) has points in six of seven. J.P. Dumont (1G, even, 2 PIM, 14:01 TOI, 3:57 PP, 0:09 PK, 3 SOG) has goals in two of three with points in five of his past eight.

David Legwand (1G, +2, 21:14 TOI, 3:43 PP, 5:30 PK, 4 SOG, 7-5 FO for 58%) has points in five straight with goals in five of his past nine as well. Dan Hamhuis (1G, 1A, +3, 2 PIM, 21:16 TOI, 1:03 PP, 4:25 PK, 1 SOG) has points in two of four, but has just one other point in November. Joel Ward (1G, +1, 18:43 TOI, 1:28 PP, 5:29 PK, 4 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had six points on the month before scoring tonight. Jordin Tootoo (1A, +2, 10 PIM, 11:58 TOI, 0:27 PP, no PK, no SOG) now has helpers in four straight.

Tampa Bay Lightning 3 @ Dallas Stars 4 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Mike Smith (34/38, .895 SV%) vs. Alex Auld (25/28, .893 SV%)
Net notes: Smith was 1-0-0 vs. his former team with 2.00/ .920 splits. Auld was 2-1-1 vs. TB with 2.95/ .898 splits.

Ryan Malone Steven Stamkos Martin St. Louis
Alex Tanguay Vincent Lecavalier Jeff Halpern
James Wright Paul Szczechura Steve Downie
Stephane Veilleux Zenon Konopka Kurtis Foster

Andrej Meszaros Lukas Krajicek
David Hale Victor Hedman
Matt Walker Mike Lundin

James Neal Brad Richards Loui Eriksson
Brenden Morrow Mike Ribeiro Jamie Benn
Steve Ott Tom Wandell Jere Lehtinen
Toby Petersen Mike Modano Fabian Brunnstrom

Nicklas Grossman Stephane Robidas
Karlis Skrastins Trevor Daley
Matt Niskanen Mark Fistric

Key notes: Well, it wouldn't be a TB summary without something from Steven Stamkos (1G, -1, 21:35 TOI, 4:04 PP, 1:39 PK, 3 SOG, 4-8 FO for 33%) and he didn't disappoint. He has points in four straight, goals as far as the eye can see and 29 points on the season after 24 outings. Alex Tanguay (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 17:49 TOI, 1:34 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had four points last month and 12 already this month. Victor Hedman (1A, even, 21:21 TOI, 0:34 PP, 1:53 PK, 2 SOG) quietly has helpers in three of six from the back end. 

Top PP times (TB): St. Louis (4:58), Stamkos (4:04), Malone (3:58), Lecavalier (3:00) and Meszaros (2:50)
Top PP times (DAL): Richards (5:41), Robidas (3:46), Modano (3:23), Neal (3:23) and Niskanen (3:16)

Brad Richards (2A, even, 19:17 TOI, 5:41 PP, no PK, 6 SOG, 4-7 FO for 36%) has four different multi-pointers in five tries now with 32 points on the season. Loui Eriksson (1A, +1, 17:58 TOI, 2:44 PP, 1:49 PK, 3 SOG) had no points in three games coming in and now he has 10 points this month. Mike Ribeiro (1A, -1, 18:35 TOI, 3:06 PP, 2:25 PK, 1 SOG, 7-13 FO for 35%) has nine points in his past 12 starts.

Brenden Morrow (1G, -1, 17:51 TOI, 3:06 PP, 1:51 PK, 2 SOG) has points in four straight and Jamie Benn (1A, -1, 13:01 TOI, 2:19 PP, no PK, no SOG) has points in four of six. Mike Modano (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 13:50 TOI, 3:23 PP, no PK, 1 SOG, 10-3 FO for 77%) had seven points in eight games coming in. Jere Lehtinen (1G, even, 16:05 TOI, 1:17 PP, 1:52 PK, 1 SOG) hadn't recorded a single point this month before tonight.

Minnesota Wild 3 @ Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Josh Harding (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Craig Anderson (34/36, .944 SV%)
Net notes: Harding was 1-2-1 vs. COL coming in with 2.05/ .931 splits. Anderson was 0-2-1 vs. MIN with 3.24/ .882 splits as this one began.

Cody McLeod Paul Stastny David Jones
Wojtek Wolski Matt Duchene Chris Stewart
Darcy Tucker Ryan O'Reilly Marek Svatos
David Koci Matt Hendricks Chris Durno

Scott Hannan Kyle Quincey
Ryan Wilson Adam Foote
John-Michael Liles Brett Clark

Andrew Brunette Mikko Koivu Chuck Kobasew
James Sheppard Andrew Ebbett Owen Nolan
Guillaume Latendresse Kyle Brodziak Cal Clutterbuck
Derek Boogaard Eric Belanger Robbie Earl

Kim Johnsson Nick Schultz
Jaime Sifers Shane Hnidy
John Scott Greg Zanon

Key notes: Mikko Koivu and Andrew Ebbett scored the only goals of the shootout.

Eric Belanger (1G, +1, 16:58 TOI, 3:37 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 6-3 FO for 67%) has three points in four games, but that's it for the month. Guillaume Latendresse (1G, +1, 16:23 TOI, 1:11 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) scored his first goal for his new team and he stopped a nine-game pointless slide. Owen Nolan (1A, +2, 20:48 TOI, 3:40 PP, 0:23 PK, 4 SOG) has points in six of nine now.

Top PP times (MIN): Johnsson (5:27), Hnidy (4:31), Koivu (4:14), Kobasew (4:14) and Brunette (4:11)
Top PP times (COL): Liles (0:59), Wolski (0:59), Duchene (0:59), Stastny (0:59) and Jones (0:59)

Matt Duchene (1G, -1, 20:13 TOI, 0:59 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 7-9 FO for 44%) has markers in two of five with points in four of six now. Paul Stastny (1A, even, 2 PIM, 23:09 TOI, 0:59 PP, 2:02 PK, 1 SOG, 9-14 FO for 39%) picked up his 25th point of the season and 12 of them have come this month. Wojtek Wolski (1A, even, 19:20 TOI, 0:59 PP, 3:03 PK, 6 SOG) has points in nine of his past 11 outings.

If you had been using David Jones for production, drop him. He's got a torn ACL and is toast for your fantasy season.

Edmonton Oilers 3 @ Vancouver Canucks 7
Goaltending match-up: Jeff Deslauriers (7/11, .636 SV%) & Devan Dubnyk (21/24, .875 SV%) vs. Roberto Luongo (31/34, .912 SV%)
Net notes: Deslauriers was 0-1-0 vs. VAN coming in with 2.03/ .931 splits. Luongo was 13-7-1-2 vs. EDM with 2.30/ .918 splits and two shutouts.

Dustin Penner Sam Gagner Gilbert Brule
Jean-Francois Jacques Shawn Horcoff Patrick O'Sullivan
Ethan Moreau Ryan Potulny Andrew Cogliano
Andrew McDonald Ryan O'Marra Zack Stortini

Steve Staios Sheldon Souray
Jason Strudwick Tom Gilbert
Ladislav Smid Lubomir Visnovsky

Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin Alex Burrows
Mason Raymond Ryan Kesler Mikael Samuelsson
Tanner Glass Kyle Wellwood Steve Bernier
Darcy Hordichuk Ryan Johnson Jannik Hansen

Mathieu Schneider Christian Ehrhoff
Alexander Edler Sami Salo
Willie Mitchell Kevin Bieksa

Key notes: Dustin Penner (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 17:21 TOI, 3:26 PP, 1:32 PK, 3 SOG, 3-10 FO for 23%) has goals in three of five now and it's going to be crucial for him to continue producing sans Ales Hemsky if this team is going to have any chance of surviving. Sam Gagner (2A, even, 15:17 TOI, 3:09 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 5-5 FO for 50%) has points in four of six, while Gilbert Brule (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 14:07 TOI, 3:12 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has back-to-back two-pointers and three in his past six.

Colin McDonald (1G, +1, 8:29 TOI, no PP, no PK, 3 SOG) got his first NHL goal in his second start. He was a second round pick in 2003. This was Ryan O'Marra's (1A, +1, 9:32 TOI, no PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 4-3 FO for 57%) third start and first time in the scoring summary for his NHL career as well.

Top PP times (EDM): Penner (3:26), Brule (3:12), Gilbert (3:11), Souray (3:10) and Visnovsky (1:31)
Top PP times (VAN): Edler (5:01), Kesler (4:58), Ehrhoff (4:53), Raymond (4:43) and Samuelsson (4:38)

So... do you think the line of Henrik Sedin (2A, +2, 17:44 TOI, 1:57 PP, 0:15 PK, 2 SOG, 11-6 FO for 65%) and Daniel Sedin (1G, 1A, +2, 17:08 TOI, 1:52 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) with Alex Burrows (1G, +2, 4 PIM, 13:47 TOI, no PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has recreated its chemistry? Based on how Burrows fared over the long haul last year after they were put together, it certainly bodes well for his value going forward this season.

This was Ryan Kesler's (3A, even, 2 PIM, 17:22 TOI, 4:48 PP, 1:46 PK, 2 SOG, 9-10 FO for 47%) third multi-pointer of November and he has points in six of seven. Mason Raymond (1G, 2A, even, 16:11 TOI, 4:43 PP, 1:19 PK, 1 SOG) had 11 points in 11 GP before tonight. Alexander Edler (1G, 2A, -1, 21:55 TOI, 5:01 PP, 2:04 PK, 2 SOG) has points in four of five.

Christian Ehrhoff (1G, 1A, +1, 24:05 TOI, 4:53 PP, 1:15 PK, 6 SOG) had just four points on the month coming in, but three of them came a few games back vs. COL. Mikael Samuelsson (1G, even, 2 PIM, 15:34 TOI, 4:38 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) hit double digits for his goal total and has points in three of five after four without one.

Chicago Blackhawks 1 @ Los Angeles Kings 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Cristobal Huet (21/22, .955 SV%) vs. Jon Quick (32/33, .970 SV%)
Net notes: Huet was 1-2-0 vs. LOS with 3.02/ .871 splits. Quick was 1-4-0 vs. CHI before tonight with 3.16/ .904 splits.

Patrick Kane Jonathan Toews Marian Hossa
Patrick Sharp Kris Versteeg Dustin Byfuglien
Andrew Ladd John Madden Troy Brouwer
Ben Eager Colin Fraser Tomas Kopecky

Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Niklas Hjalmarsson Brian Campbell
Cam Barker Brent Sopel

Alexander Frolov Anze Kopitar Justin Williams
Teddy Purcell Jarret Stoll Dustin Brown
Scott Parse Michal Handzus Wayne Simmonds
Raitis Ivanans Brad Richardson Brandon Segal

Sean O'Donnell Drew Doughty
Randy Jones Jack Johnson
Davis Drewiske Matt Greene

Key notes: Jonathan Toews (1G, even, 24:32 TOI, 3:18 PP, 1:42 PK, 2 SOG, 11-11 FO for 50%) had nine points in nine post-concussion starts as this one began. Patrick Kane (1A, even, 21:38 TOI, 3:05 PP, 0:01 PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has been on a tear for about five weeks now. Duncan Keith (1A, -1, 28:38 TOI, 3:22 PP, 2:55 PK, 4 SOG) had 13 of his 21 points of '09-10 in November coming in here. Toews and Kane were denied in the shootout.

Top PP times (CHI): Keith (3:22), Toews (3:18), Hossa (3:18), Kane (3:05) and Sharp (2:44)
Top PP times (LOS): Johnson (3:46), Williams (3:32), Brown (3:32), Doughty (3:13) and Jones (2:59)

Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson scored in the shootout.

Wayne Simmonds (1G, +1, 15:24 TOI, 0:24 PP, 1:23 PK, 4 SOG) has found the back of the net in three straight games to end a five-game pointless skid. Scott Parse (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 11:58 TOI, 0:24 PP, no PK, no SOG) has helpers in four of five now, while Michal Handzus (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 17:30 TOI, 2:28 PP, 1:43 PK, no SOG, 12-4 FO for 75%) had 11 points on the season before this effort.

Have you got a brief fantasy hockey question? Drop a line to chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com within 24 hours or so of any Q&A (to keep your league info relevant) and your email may be included in the blog, which will begin live at 3pm et/ 12pm pt on Mondays and Thursdays. One per person, please. Don't forget to include your first name and hometown to represent!