Chris Nichols

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

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Blog: Kovalchuk's debut
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Toronto Maple Leafs 3 @ New Jersey Devils 4
Goaltending match-up: Jonas Gustavsson (24/28, .857 SV%) vs. Martin Brodeur (17/20, .850 SV%)
Net notes: Gustavsson was 0-0-0 vs. NJD with 5.66/ .842 splits coming in. Brodeur was 18-15-7-2 vs. TOR coming in with 2.50/ .907 splits and three shutouts.

Alexei Ponikarovsky Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel
Nikolai Kulemin Rickard Wallin Fredrik Sjostrom
John Mitchell Christian Hanson Lee Stempniak
Jay Rosehill Wayne Primeau Colton Orr

Various defensive pairings

Zach Parise Travis Zajac Brian Rolston
Ilya Kovalchuk Dainius Zubrus Jamie Langenbrunner
Jay Pandolfo Rob Niedermayer Vladimir Zharkov
Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond Dean McAmmond Andrew Peters

Colin White Mike Mottau
Bryce Salvador Andy Greene
Anssi Salmela Mark Fraser

Key notes: Tomas Kaberle (1G, even, 15:20 TOI, 4:27 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had tallied 27 points in 30 games away from home coming into this tilt, although he had just one point in six tries before tonight. Phil Kessel (2A, even, 19:39 TOI, 4:23 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) began the evening with 12 points in his past 12 GP.

Tyler Bozak (1A, -1, 19:36 TOI, 3:59 PP, 0:34 PK, 2 SOG, 10-8 FO for 56%) has points in three of five now. Lee Stempniak (1G, even, 17:04 TOI, 1:08 PP, 1:38 PK, 1 SOG) has points back-to-back after seven without one.

Top PP times (TOR): Phaneuf (4:50), Kaberle (4:27), Kessel (4:23), Bozak (3:59) and Ponikarovsky (3:59)
Top PP times (NJD): Kovalchuk (4:00), Parise (2:37), Zajac (2:37), Rolston (2:31) and Langenbrunner (2:26)

Ilya Kovalchuk (2A, even, 2 PIM, 21:43 TOI, 4:00 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) made his debut with the Devils and it didn't take him long to make his poolies happy. He had three points the last time he faced the Leafs and his first period assist ensured he'd maintain a point-per-game average after this, his 30th game vs. TOR. He was working the point on the PP will, as you'd expect, play a huge role for this team offensively. Jersey scores three times in the final 3:04 to turn a 3-1 deficit into a win? Nice.

Dainius Zubrus (1G, even, 19:52 TOI, 2:06 PP, 1:46 PK, 2 SOG, 4-6 FO for 40%) drew the first game as Kovalchuk's centre - for now - with Jamie Langenbrunner (2A, +1, 20:27 TOI, 2:26 PP, 1:45 PK, 3 SOG) on the other side. Travis Zajac (1G, even, 20:59 TOI, 2:37 PP, 1:50 PK, 1 SOG, 12-8 FO for 60%) had 16 points in 16 GP before tonight.

Atlanta Thrashers 2 @ Washington Capitals 5
Goaltending match-up: Ondrej Pavelec (27/31, .871 SV%) vs. Michal Neuvirth (43/45, .956 SV%)
Net notes: Pavelec was 1-4-0 vs. WAS coming in with 4.34/ .866 splits. Neuvirth was 2-0-0 vs. ATL with 2.01/ .937 splits.

Bryan Little Nik Antropov Niclas Bergfors
Slava Kozlov Rich Peverley Maxim Afinogenov
Evander Kane Jim Slater Colby Armstrong
Todd White Marty Reasoner Chris Thorburn

Zach Bogosian Boris Valabik
Ron Hainsey Johnny Oduya
Tobias Enstrom Pavel Kubina

Alex Ovechkin Nicklas Backstrom Mike Knuble
Brooks Laich Tomas Fleischmann Alexander Semin
Jason Chimera Brendan Morrison Eric Fehr
Boyd Gordon Dave Steckel Matt Bradley

Jeff Schultz Mike Green
Shaone Morrisonn Tom Poti
John Erskine Brian Pothier

Key notes: Tobias Enstrom (1G, -1, 20:05 TOI, 3:33 PP, 0:16 PK, 3 SOG) had one point in eight games before tonight and he reached the 40-point plateau for the first time in his career. Rich Peverley (1G, 1A, +1, 16:52 TOI, 2:54 PP, 2:44 PK, 4 SOG, 8-10 FO for 44%) had nine points in 15 GP last month and he got his second SHG of the season and third of his career this evening. Slava Kozlov (1A, -1, 15:00 TOI, 3:06 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) hadn't played since January 21st.

Niclas Bergfors (-1, 12:53 TOI, no PP, no PK, 4 SOG) and Johnny Oduya (-1, 20:38 TOI, no PP, 4:35 PK, no SOG) were able to play tonight in their first action since being included in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade.

Top PP times (ATL): Kubina (3:33), Enstrom (3:33), Afinogenov (3:18), Antropov (3:06) and Kozlov (3:06)
Top PP times (WAS): Ovechkin (8:27), Green (8:16), Semin (5:13), Backstrom (4:30) and Laich (4:13)

Alex Ovechkin (1G, 1A, +1, 21:27 TOI, 8:27 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) had a dominating 53 points in 33 GP vs. ATL before tonight and he added more ammunition in his race for another Rocket Richard Trophy run here too. Nicklas Backstrom (1G, 1A, +1, 13:24 TOI, 4:30 PP, 0:38 PK, 1 SOG, 6-4 FO for 60%) has points in seven straight, including that sweet five-pointer @NYR in his last start. Alexander Semin (1G, 1A, even, 20:50 TOI, 5:13 PP, 1:48 PK, 5 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) had racked up 37 points in 25 home games before tonight and he has points in 11 of 12.

Mike Knuble (1A, +2, 16:39 TOI, 3:38 PP, no PK, no SOG) had a couple of goals the last time he squared off against this team and he has been absolutely money for poolies over the past month. Brooks Laich (1A, even, 19:29 TOI, 4:13 PP, 2:03 PK, 3 SOG, 3-3 FO for 50%) hit 40 points tonight and has points in six of eight now. Mike Green (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 25:17 TOI, 8:16 PP, 1:53 PK, 4 SOG) was back from his suspension/ knee injury and he picked up a late ENG for his 53rd point of the season.

Carolina Hurricanes 4 @ Buffalo Sabres 3
Goaltending match-up: Manny Legace (28/31, .903 SV%) vs. Ryan Miller (23/27, .852 SV%)
Net notes: Legace was 3-0-0 vs. BUF coming in with 3.70/ .860 splits. Miller was 9-3-2 vs. CAR with 2.51/ .917 splits.

Ray Whitney Eric Staal Jussi Jokinen
Sergei Samsonov Matt Cullen Tom Kostopoulos
Zach Boychuk Brandon Sutter Pat Dwyer
Stephane Yelle Rod Brind'Amour Steven Goertzen

Tim Gleason Joe Corvo
Aaron Ward Joni Pitkanen
Brett Carson Andrew Alberts

Jochen Hecht Tim Connolly Jason Pominville
Thomas Vanek Derek Roy Drew Stafford
Clarke MacArthur Paul Gaustad Mike Grier
Adam Mair Tim Kennedy Steve Montador

Henrik Tallinder Tyler Myers
Chris Butler Andrej Sekera
Toni Lydman Craig Rivet

Key notes: Eric Staal (1G, 1A, +2, 2 PIM, 18:57 TOI, 4:02 PP, 0:12 PK, 3 SOG, 13-13 FO for 50%) has points in 11 straight and that included 17 points coming in here. Ray Whitney's (1A, +2, 20:09 TOI, 4:39 PP, 0:02 PK, 2 SOG) name continues to pop up in trade rumours and he stopped a mini-skid of three games where he had no points. He had 15 in 14 January GP though. Matt Cullen (1A, even, 18:48 TOI, 3:34 PP, 1:30 PK, 1 SOG, 5-7 FO for 42%) began the night with 14 points in 16 GP.

This was Zach Boychuk's (1A, even, 12:20 TOI, no PP, no PK, 2 SOG) 10th NHL game of the season and first since mid-January. He had one point coming in here. Sergei Samsonov (1A, even, 16:08 TOI, 3:05 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had six points in eight tries before this evening. Jussi Jokinen (1G, 1A, +2, 18:35 TOI, 2:48 PP, 0:12 PK, 5 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) picked up his fourth GWG of the season and extended his point streak to five games. He has 18 points over his past 14 outings.

Top PP times (CAR): Pitkanen (5:28), Whitney (4:39), Staal (4:02), Cullen (3:34) and Corvo (3:06)
Top PP times (BUF): Vanek (3:03), Myers (3:02), Pominville (2:56), Connolly (2:56) and Rivet (2:31)

Drew Stafford (2G, +2, 2 PIM, 18:14 TOI, 2:25 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has points in two of three after five without one. Thomas Vanek (2A, +2, 20:05 TOI, 3:03 PP, no PK, 6 SOG) had 12 points in 13 GP before tonight. Andrej Sekera (1G, 2A, +1, 18:05 TOI, 2:11 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has points back-to-back now.

Chris Butler (1A, +1, 21:47 TOI, 2:27 PP, 0:56 PK, no SOG) had chipped in seven points in 16 since the start of January before this one got underway. Jason Pominville (1A, even, 21:33 TOI, 2:56 PP, 1:48 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three in a row and came into tonight with 11 in nine.

Calgary Flames 2 @ Florida Panthers 1
Goaltending match-up: Miikka Kiprusoff (12/13, .923 SV%) vs. Tomas Vokoun (38/40, .950 SV%)
Net notes: Kipper was 2-0-1 vs. FLA coming in with 0.97/ .967 splits and one shutout. Vokoun was 12-3-3-1 vs. CGY with 1.96/ .931 splits and one shutout.

Niklas Hagman Matt Stajan Jarome Iginla
Christopher Higgins Daymond Langkow Ales Kotalik
Curtis Glencross Mikael Backlund Rene Bourque
Eric Nystrom Dustin Boyd Jamal Mayers

Robyn Regehr Ian White
Jay Bouwmeester Cory Sarich
Mark Giordano Adam Pardy

David Booth Stephen Weiss Michael Frolik
Cory Stillman Steven Reinprecht Radek Dvorak
Michal Repik Shawn Matthias Gregory Campbell
Kamil Kreps Dominic Moore Rostislav Olesz

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

Key notes: This was the second start for Ales Kotalik (1G, even, 16:39 TOI, 3:22 PP, 0:12 PK, 5 SOG) with his new team and first scoring summary appearance, doing what he does on the power play. Jay Bouwmeester (1A, even, 27:26 TOI, 4:13 PP, 4:13 PK, 4 SOG) had three points in three games before tonight after having only one other point for nearly a month. Niklas Hagman (1A, even, 16:36 TOI, 3:51 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) got his first point with the Flames in his third start.

Mark Giordano (1G, even, 16:21 TOI, 1:56 PP, 2:03 PK, 1 SOG) has picked up points in four of his past six with three of those games involving PPP as well. Ian White (1A, even, 20:38 TOI, 1:49 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) had gone four games without a point. Daymond Langkow (1A, even, 18:59 TOI, 0:29 PP, 3:10 PK, 6 SOG, 8-10 FO for 44%) hadn't produced much over the past three weeks coming in here.

Top PP times (CGY): Bouwmeester (4:13), Iginla (3:51), Hagman (3:51), Stajan (3:51) and Kotalik (3:22)
Top PP times (FLA): Stillman (4:00), Seideinberg (3:48), Weiss (3:30), McCabe (3:16) and Booth (3:02)

This was the third game back for David Booth (1A, even, 18:51 TOI, 3:02 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) and he has points in two of them. Stephen Weiss (1A, even, 19:44 TOI, 3:30 PP, 1:41 PK, 1 SOG, 10-9 FO for 53% had seven points in 11 GP coming in here, while Dennis Seidenberg (1G, even, 21:49 TOI, 3:48 PP, 2:44 PK, 4 SOG) has helpers in four of seven.

Phoenix Coyotes 2 @ Chicago Blackhawks 1 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Jason LaBarbera (28/29, .966 SV%) vs. Cristobal Huet (21/22, .955 SV%)
Net notes: Jason LaBarbera was 2-0-0 vs. CHI coming in with 2.78/ .906 splits. Huet was 5-1-1-0 vs. PHO with 2.12/ .914 splits and one shutout.

Peter Mueller Matthew Lombardi Shane Doan
Petr Prucha Martin Hanzal Radim Vrbata
Taylor Pyatt Robert Lang Lauri Korpikoski
Paul Bissonnette Vernon Fiddler Daniel Winnik

Zbynek Michalek Ed Jovanovski
Jim Vandermeer Adrian Aucoin
Keith Yandle Sami Lepisto

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

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

Key notes: Radim Vrbata (1G, even, 19:48 TOI, 5:04 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has picked up points in nine of 13. Keith Yandle (1A, even, 20:21 TOI, 5:28 PP, 0:11 PK, 1 SOG) hit the 30-point plateau this evening and had six in seven coming in.

Robert Lang scored in the shootout, as did Adrian Aucoin.

Top PP times (PHO): Yandle (5:28), Prucha (5:24), Michalek (5:07), Vrbata (5:04) and Lombardi (3:33)
Top PP times (CHI): Kane (4:03), Toews (3:58), Campbell (3:27), Byfuglien (3:12) and Brouwer (3:09)

Duncan Keith (1A, +1, 31:54 TOI, 2:24 PP, 6:08 PK, 7 SOG) had 26 points in 28 home GP coming in here with 50 overall. Andrew Ladd (1A, +1, 12:10 TOI, no PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had 11 points in 16 GP coming into tonight.

Jonathan Toews had a sweet shootout goal.

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!