Chris Nichols

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

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Pittsburgh Penguins 3 @ Carolina Hurricanes 4 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Brent Johnson (17/21, .810 SV%) vs. Justin Peters (37/40, .925 SV%)
Net notes: Johnson was 6-5-1 vs. CAR coming in with 2.86/ .921 splits. Peters was making his fifth career start here and hadn't faced the Pens.

Chris Kunitz Sidney Crosby Bill Guerin
Alexei Ponikarovsky Evgeni Malkin Ruslan Fedotenko
Pascal Dupuis Jordan Staal Matt Cooke
Michael Rupp Max Talbot Craig Adams

Mark Eaton Sergei Gonchar
Jordan Leopold Alex Goligoski
Brooks Orpik Kris Letang

Ray Whitney Eric Staal Jussi Jokinen
Chad LaRose Brandon Sutter Tuomo Ruutu
Zach Boychuk Pat Dwyer Tom Kostopoulos
Sergei Samsonov Rod Brind'Amour Erik Cole

Joni Pitkanen Brett Carson
Tim Gleason Brian Pothier
Alexandre Picard Jay Harrison

Key notes: Sidney Crosby (1A, -1, 20:07 TOI, 1:37 PP, 0:13 PK, 4 SOG, 7-12 FO for 37%) "only" had 18 points in 16 career GP vs. CAR coming in here. He had 28 points in 32 road games too and his current point streak is at seven games. Evgeni Malkin (1A, -1, 18:50 TOI, 1:37 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 6-5 FO for 55%) needed a two-pointer here to reach 70 points on the season and he has points in two straight after having his 15-game point streak stopped recently.

Bill Guerin (1G, even, 15:28 TOI, 1:37 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) was back in action tonight after missing time with back spasms. Jordan Staal (1G, +2, 16:26 TOI, 1:02 PP, 2:13 PK, 2 SOG, 8-13 FO for 38%) had 20 points in 25 GP before tonight.

Alex Goligoski (1A, even, 20:19 TOI, 1:37 PP, 0:43 PK, 1 SOG) has points in three of four since the Olympic break. Pascal Dupuis (2A, +1, 16:18 TOI, no PP, 1:03 PK, 3 SOG) reached 30 points on the season with this multi-pointer and he has points in four of five.

Top PP times (PIT): Gonchar (2:39), Crosby (1:37), Malkin (1:37), Goligoski (1:37) and Guerin (1:37)
Top PP times (CAR): Pitkanen (4:18), Whitney (4:18), Staal (4:12), Jokinen (3:32) and Pothier (2:49)

Zach Boychuk (1G, +1, 10:48 TOI, 0:19 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) stopped a three-game pointless skid here, but had them in four straight before that. Joni Pitkanen (1A, even, 24:33 TOI, 4:18 PP, 0:53 PK, no SOG) reached the 40-point level for the season in the first period. Ray Whitney (1G, 1A, +2, 21:11 TOI, 4:18 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) hit 50 in that same stanza and ended a four-game pointless slide in the process.

Eric Staal (1G, 1A, +2, 21:56 TOI, 4:12 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 14-11 FO for 56%) had 22 points in 21 GP vs. PIT coming in here and he ended a nine-game goalless drought tonight. He had nothing for points in three prior to this outing. Brian Pothier (1G, 1A, +1, 24:10 TOI, 2:49 PP, 1:46 PK, 2 SOG) has PPP in two of three now. Erik Cole (1A, even, 12:38 TOI, 0:20 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) was back in the line-up tonight and he stopped a six-game pointless slide overall that included the four games since he returned to the line-up after the Olympic break.

Edmonton Oilers 4 @ Montreal Canadiens 5 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Devan Dubnyk (22/26, .846 SV%) vs. Jaroslav Halak (21/25, .840 SV%)
Net notes: Dubnyk was making his ninth career start here and first vs. MON. Halak had never faced the Oilers either.

Mike Comrie Shawn Horcoff Fernando Pisani
Dustin Penner Andrew Cogliano Gilbert Brule
Chris Minard Sam Gagner Marc Pouliot
Robert Nilsson Ryan Potulny Zack Stortini

Tom Gilbert Ryan Whitney
Taylor Chorney Jason Strudwick
Aaron Johnson Theo Peckham

Marc Pouliot Scott Gomez Brian Gionta
Tom Pyatt Tomas Plekanec Andrei Kostitsyn
Mathieu Darche Glen Metropolit Ben Maxwell
Travis Moen Dominic Moore Sergei Kostitsyn

Andrei Markov Ryan O'Byrne
Hal Gill Josh Gorges
Roman Hamrlik Jaroslav Spacek

Key notes: Sam Gagner (1G, -2, 2 PIM, 13:26 TOI, 2:29 PP, 0:04 PK, 1 SOG, 5-6 FO for 45%) had gone eight games without a goal before tonight. He had two points in six games coming in. Tom Gilbert (2A, +1, 2 PIM, 27:49 TOI, 3:41 PP, 6:08 PK, no SOG) halted a four-game pointless skid here. Robert Nilsson (1G, +1, 11:24 TOI, 0:43 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has a point in three of his past five.

Andrew Cogliano (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 16:15 TOI, no PP, 0:23 PK, 2 SOG, 4-3 FO for 57%) has added points in three of six since the break. Dustin Penner (1A, -1, 17:36 TOI, 0:43 PP, 0:13 PK, 2 SOG) had just one point in six games coming in and while his single-season value is just so-so these days, keep your chin up in deeper keeper formats because his value is helped with a healthy Ales Hemsky and the talented youngsters on the way into this line-up in '10-11. Gilbert Brule (1A, -1, 15:33 TOI, 1:02 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 4-1 FO for 80%) had five points in six games before this evening.

Shawn Horcoff (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 21:54 TOI, 2:19 PP, 7:21 PK, 2 SOG, 8-7 FO for 53%) has points in five of seven. Yep, seriously. Mike Comrie (1A, +1, 12:44 TOI, 1:57 PP, no PK, no SOG) has a point in four of his past six outings. Ryan Whitney (18:49 TOI) left the game after blocking a shot.

Top PP times (EDM): Gilbert (3:41), Gagner (2:29), Horcoff (2:19), Comrie (1:57) and Chorney (1:57)
Top PP times (MON): Markov (9:12), Plekanec (8:18), Gomez (6:27), Gionta (6:07) and A. Kostitsyn (6:05)

Brian Gionta (1G, -1, 24:04 TOI, 6:07 PP, 1:28 PK, 5 SOG) has goals in four of five now and he had five points in four games coming in. Benoit Pouliot (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 18:59 TOI, 3:28 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has a four-game point streak going and the former fourth overall pick from 2005 continues to produce since swapping jerseys. Andrei Markov (2A, +3, 2 PIM, 27:45 TOI, 9:12 PP, 1:00 PK, 2 SOG) only had three points in 12 home games headed in here, interestingly enough.

Tomas Plekanec (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 21:35 TOI, 8:18 PP, 1:01 PK, 2 SOG, 11-7 FO for 61%) has points in each of his past four and he came into tonight just six points behind his career-best total of 69 from two years ago. Sergei Kostitsyn (1G, 1A, +2, 13:43 TOI, no PP, 1:45 PK, 3 SOG) had seven points in 12 GP before this effort. Andrei Kostitsyn scored the only goal of the shootout.

St. Louis Blues 2 @ New York Islanders 1 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Chris Mason (29/30, .967 SV%) vs. Martin Biron (35/36, .972 SV%)
Net notes: Mason was 1-1-0 vs. NYI coming in with 2.51/ .912 splits. Biron was 0-6-1 vs. STL with 2.95/ .900 splits.

Paul Kariya David Backes T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald Patrik Berglund David Perron
Alex Steen Jay McClement Brad Boyes
Brad Winchester Matt D'Agostini B.J. Crombeen

Eric Brewer Erik Johnson
Barret Jackman Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo Mike Weaver

Josh Bailey Frans Nielsen Kyle Okposo
Matt Moulson John Tavares Blake Comeau
Sean Bergenheim Doug Weight Jon Sim
Trevor Gillies Richard Park Tim Jackman

Mark Streit Bruno Gervais
Dustin Kohn Jack Hillen
Freddy Meyer Dylan Reese

Key notes: Patrik Berglund (1G, even, 16:51 TOI, 5:37 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 5-6 FO for 45%) had a goal the last time these teams met and his point streak has been pushed to six games. Andy McDonald (1A, even, 19:12 TOI, 5:54 PP, 0:36 PK, 2 SOG, 3-2 FO for 60%) has points in six of his past eight now, while Alex Steen (1A, even, 17:38 TOI, 5:42 PP, 0:15 PK, 1 SOG) has points in eight of 10 and he had three straight two-pointers headed into this tilt. Brad Boyes scored the only goal of the shootout.

Top PP times (STL): Perron (5:54), McDonald (5:54), Steen (5:42), Berglund (5:37) and Colaiacovo (5:30)
Top PP times (NYI): Streit (7:32), Weight (5:18), Tavares (5:05), Comeau (4:33) and Moulson (4:29)

Matt Moulson (1G, even, 17:10 TOI, 4:29 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has points in six of his past seven affairs for the Isles. Mark Streit (1A, even, 31:02 TOI, 7:32 PP, 5:45 PK, 4 SOG) had four points in four games since the break coming in. Blake Comeau (1A, even, 22:54 TOI, 4:33 PP, 5:37 PK, 5 SOG) has been fighting a sore back, but had seven points in five starts before today.

Boston Bruins 5 @ Philadelphia Flyers 1
Goaltending match-up: Tuukka Rask (31/32, .969 SV%) vs. Michael Leighton (21/25, .840 SV%) & Brian Boucher (11/12, .917 SV%)
Net notes: Rask was 1-0-1 vs. PHI coming in with 2.88/ .903 splits. Leighton was 0-0-1 vs. BOS with 3.29/ .883 splits.

Blake Wheeler David Krejci Michael Ryder
Marco Sturm Patrice Bergeron Mark Recchi
Milan Lucic Vladimir Sobotka Brad Marchand
Daniel Paille Steve Begin Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara Dennis Seidenberg
Mark Stuart Dennis Wideman
Matt Hunwick Johnny Boychuk

Simon Gagne Mike Richards Daniel Carcillo
James van Riemsdyk Jeff Carter Danny Briere
Scott Hartnell Claude Giroux Arron Asham
Darroll Powe Blair Betts Ian Laperriere

Matt Carle Chris Pronger
Ryan Parent Braydon Coburn
Kimmo Timonen Lukas Krajicek

Key notes: Patrice Bergeron (1G, 2A, +3, 17:00 TOI, 1:25 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 12-6 FO for 67%) had seven points in eight games before tonight, while Blake Wheeler (1G, 1A, +2, 16:25 TOI, 0:35 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has goals in two of three after having one point in eight games. Mark Recchi (1G, +2, 15:48 TOI, 0:49 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had a goal the last time these teams met and he was coming off that three-point effort @TOR.

David Krejci (1G, 1A, +2, 18:51 TOI, 1:12 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 8-10 FO for 44%) has points in three of four now and Dennis Seidenberg (1A, +3, 2  PIM, 0:49 PP, no PK, 5 SOG) was playing his fifth game with the Bruins here. He has points in two straight. Michael Ryder (1A, +2, 18:02 TOI, 1:25 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) ended a six-game pointless skid.

Top PP times (BOS): Ryder (1:25), Bergeron (1:25), Krejci (1:12), Recchi (0:49) and Wideman (0:49)
Top PP times (PHI): Only seconds of PP time

Jeff Carter (1G, -1, 18:38 TOI, 0:04 PP, no PK, 4 SOG, 12-8 FO for 60%) has been Mr. Automatic around the net lately and that makes goals in nine of 10. Scott Hartnell (1A, -1, 15:08 TOI, 0:08 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) ended a brief three-game pointless skid here, although he has still been managing either points or PIM for his owners for awhile now.

Tampa Bay Lightning 3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Mike Smith (34/38, .895 SV%) vs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere (30/33, .909 SV%)
Net notes: Smith was 2-0-0 vs. TOR with 1.97/ .938 splits. JSG was 4-1-0 vs. TB with 1.85/ .931 splits and one shutout.

Martin St. Louis Steven Stamkos Steve Downie
Alex Tanguay Vincent Lecavalier Teddy Purcell
Ryan Malone Paul Szczechura Brandon Bochenski
Stephane Veilleux Nate Thompson Mark Parrish

Kurtis Foster Andrej Meszaros
Mattias Ohlund Mike Lundin
Matt Walker Victor Hedman

Nikolai Kulemin Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel
Luca Caputi Mikhail Grabovski Viktor Stalberg
Jamie Lundmark Christian Hanson John Mitchell
Wayne Primeau Rickard Wallin Colton Orr

Dion Phaneuf Francois Beauchemin
Luke Schenn Tomas Kaberle
Jeff Finger Carl Gunnarsson

Key notes: Steven Stamkos (1G, 1A, +2, 20:00 TOI, 2:17 PP, 1:29 PK, 4 SOG, 8-8 FO for 50%) began the night with 78 points and he pushed his point streak to 18 games. Kurtis Foster (1G, 1A, +1, 23:12 TOI, 1:50 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has turned into such a tremendous bargain for poolies this season and his current point streak is four games. Vincent Lecavalier (1A, -2, 23:30 TOI, 2:17 PP, no PK, 6 SOG, 7-12 FO for 37%) needed a two-pointer here to reach the 60-point plateau.

Martin St. Louis (2A, +1, 23:31 TOI, 2:17 PP, 0:55 PK, 2 SOG, 2-3 FO for 40%) hit the 80-point mark for the season and he has points in 14 of his past 15 GP. Steve Downie (1G, +1, 4 PIM, 18:04 TOI, 1:36 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has now officially hit 40-point territory and with his PIM contributions, his value has been doing quite well for awhile now.

Top PP times (TB): Stamkos (2:17), St. Louis (2:17), Lecavalier (2:17), Foster (1:50) and Downie (1:36)
Top PP times (TOR): Beauchemin (2:13), Caputi (2:02), Grabovski (2:02) and five with 1:58

Phil Kessel (1G, 1A, +1, 22:16 TOI, 1:58 PP, no PK, 7 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) has points in three of four and he began the game with 43 points in his 54 GP, including 233 SOG. This was his fifth GWG of the season and 14th of his career. Luca Caputi (2A, +1, 16:10 TOI, 2:02 PP, no PK, no SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) already had two points in four games with the Leafs before this multi-pointer. Viktor Stalberg (2G, +1, 18:17 TOI, 1:09 PP, 0:50 PK, 6 SOG) has points in three of his past five now.

Tyler Bozak (1G, 1A, +1, 22:32 TOI, 1:58 PP, 0:24 PK, 3 SOG, 12-6 FO for 67%) has points in three of his past five starts and seven of 11 too. Nikolai Kulemin (1A, even, 19:23 TOI, 1:58 PP, 0:24 PK, no SOG) has points in three in a row and four of five.

Atlanta Thrashers 1 @ Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Goaltending match-up: Johan Hedberg (19/21, .905 SV%) vs. Mathieu Garon (28/29, .966 SV%)
Net notes: Hedberg was 3-3-1 vs. CBJ coming in with 3.46/ .869 splits and one shutout. Garon was 3-0-0 vs. ATL with 1.00/ .964 splits and two shutouts.

Niclas Bergfors Nik Antropov Bryan Little
Slava Kozlov Rich Peverley Maxim Afinogenov
Clarke MacArthur Todd White Colby Armstrong
Eric Boulton Jim Slater Chris Thorburn

Ron Hainsey Pavel Kubina
Zach Bogosian Tobias Enstrom
Chris Chelios Johnny Oduya

R.J. Umberger Derick Brassard Jakub Voracek
Kristian Huselius Antoine Vermette Derek Dorsett
Jared Boll Samuel Pahlsson Chris Clark
Andrew Murray Mike Blunden Maksim Mayorov

Kris Russell Mike Commodore
Marc Methot Jan Hejda
Anton Stralman Fedor Tyutin

Key notes: Johnny Oduya (1G, even, 20:05 TOI, no PP, 4:15 PK, 1 SOG) broke the shutout bid late and has points back-to-back and in five of nine overall.

Top PP times (ATL): Antropov (2:40), Afinogenov (2:10), Peverley (1:57), Enstrom (1:46) and Bogosian (1:46)
Top PP times (CBJ): Vermette (4:46), Umberger (4:31), Tyutin (4:07), Huselius (4:06) and Stralman (3:42)

Kristian Huselius (1G, 1A, +1, 18:41 TOI, 4:06 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) was back in the line-up tonight. He had no points in two starts since the break coming in here. R.J. Umberger (1G, even, 19:25 TOI, 4:31 PP, 1:42 PK, 6 SOG, 3-6 FO for 33%) has points in three of his past four outings. Fedor Tyutin (1A, -1, 20:51 TOI, 4:07 PP, 1:58 PK, no SOG) had a three-pointer in his last game.

Minnesota Wild 1 @ Detroit Red Wings 5
Goaltending match-up: Josh Harding (25/30, .833 SV%) vs. Jimmy Howard (21/22, .955 SV%)
Net notes: Harding was 2-2-1 vs. DET coming in with 2.99/ .917 splits. Howard was 1-1-0 vs. MIN with 3.40/ .879 splits.

Andrew Brunette Mikko Koivu Antti Miettinen
Guillaume Latendresse Andrew Ebbett Martin Havlat
Owen Nolan Kyle Brodziak Cal Clutterbuck
Robbie Earl James Sheppard Chuck Kobasew

Marek Zidlicky Cam Barker
Greg Zanon Nick Schultz
Jamie Sifers John Scott

Johan Franzen Pavel Datsyuk Tomas Holmstrom
Valtteri Filppula Henrik Zetterberg Danny Cleary
Todd Bertuzzi Drew Miller Jason Williams
Kris Draper Darren Helm Patrick Eaves

Nicklas Lidstrom Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall Brad Stuart
Brett Lebda Andreas Lilja

Key notes: Martin Havlat (1A, -1, 19:14 TOI, 4:25 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has points in three of five since the break. He hasn't gone more than two straight games without a point since the end of November. Marek Zidlicky (1A, -2, 2 PIM, 23:54 TOI, 4:05 PP, 2:49 PK, 1 SOG) has come up with points in four of eight on the back end. Andrew Ebbett (1G, -1, 19:44 TOI, 2:53 PP, 2:57 PK, 5 SOG, 5-6 FO for 45%) hasn't had back-to-back points all season.

Top PP times (MIN): Havlat (4:25), Brunette (4:25), Koivu (4:15), Miettinen (4:15) and Zidlicky (4:05)
Top PP times (DET): Lidstrom (5:41), Holmstrom (5:10), Rafalski (4:50), Datsyuk (4:30) and Franzen (4:09)

Henrik Zetterberg (1G, 2A, +2, 19:46 TOI, 3:53 PP, 1:07 PK, 4 SOG, 9-9 FO for 50%) was five points below the point-per-game threshold on the season coming in. Johan Franzen (2G, +2, 2 PIM, 16:28 TOI, 4:09 PP, 0:09 PK, 3 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) stopped a three-game pointless skid here, but has otherwise been scoring pretty consistently. Nicklas Lidstrom (1A, +1, 23:22 TOI, 5:41 PP, 4:38 PK, 1 SOG) has points in seven of eight and his earlier season offensive issues have long-since subsided.

Tomas Holmstrom (1G, 1A, +1, 15:13 TOI, 5:10 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) had six points in five games since the break before this multi-point effort. Niklas Kronwall (1A, even, 21:32 TOI, 2:56 PP, 3:09 PK, no SOG) has points in two of four now and is trying to gain some traction to finish strong for his poolies. Valtteri Filppula (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 17:48 TOI, 2:51 PP, 2:00 PK, 2 SOG, 2-2 FO for 50%) had seven points in 10 GP before tonight.

Florida Panthers 0 @ Colorado Avalanche 3
Goaltending match-up: Tomas Vokoun (28/31, .903 SV%) vs. Craig Anderson (27/27)
Net notes: Vokoun was 8-9-1-1 vs. COL coming in with 3.01/ .903 splits and one shutout. Anderson was 0-0-0 vs. FLA with 4.77/ .886 splits. This was Anderson's seventh shutout of the season and 14th of his career.

David Booth Stephen Weiss Michael Frolik
Cory Stillman Steven Reinprecht Byron Bitz
Gregory Campbell Shawn Matthias Radek Dvorak
Rostislav Olesz Kamil Kreps Nick Tarnasky

Bryan Allen Keith Ballard
Jason Garrison Keaton Ellerby
Bryan McCabe Dmitry Kulikov

T.J. Galiardi Paul Stastny Chris Stewart
Peter Mueller Matt Duchene Milan Hejduk
Cody McLeod Ryan O'Reilly Matt Hendricks
Kevin Porter Stephane Yelle Darcy Tucker

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

Key notes:

Top PP times (FLA): Kulikov (1:15), McCabe (1:15), Weiss (1:07), Booth (1:07) and Stillman (1:07)
Top PP times (COL): Mueller (1:12), Stewart (1:12), Stastny (1:12), Duchene (1:12) and Hejduk (1:03)

Paul Stastny (2G, +1, 18:02 TOI, 1:12 PP, 0:04 PK, 4 SOG, 3-10 FO for 23%) had four points the last time he met this team and his current point streak is at six games, which includes all starts since the break ended. He had gone eight games without a goal. Chris Stewart (2A, +1, 17:41 TOI, 1:12 PP, no PK, no SOG) had 17 points in 12 GP before this outing. Peter Mueller (1A, even, 16:32 TOI, 1:12 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has points in six straight now.

Ottawa Senators 0 @ Calgary Flames 2
Goaltending match-up: Brian Elliott (23/25, .920 SV%) vs. Miikka Kiprusoff (33/33)
Net notes: Elliott was 1-0-0 vs. CGY coming in with 2.30/ .917 splits. Kipper was 5-1-0 vs. OTT with 2.56/ .904 splits and one shutout. This was his fourth shutout of the season and 34th of his career.

Milan Michalek Jason Spezza Daniel Alfredsson
Peter Regin Mike Fisher Alex Kovalev
Ryan Shannon Matt Cullen Chris Neil
Jarkko Ruutu Jesse Winchester Shean Donovan

Anton Volchenkov Chris Phillips
Andy Sutton Erik Karlsson
Matt Carkner Brian Lee

Rene Bourque Matt Stajan Jarome Iginla
Christopher Higgins Daymond Langkow Ales Kotalik
Niklas Hagman Craig Conroy David Moss
Curtis Glencross Eric Nystrom Jamal Mayers

Robyn Regehr Ian White
Jay Bouwmeester Steve Staios
Cory Sarich Mark Giordano

Key notes:

Top PP times (OTT): Karlsson (7:40), Cullen (7:18), Spezza (7:00), Michalek (6:44) and Alfredsson (5:53)
Top PP times (CGY): Iginla (3:48), Stajan (3:48), Bourque (3:43), White (3:19) and Giordano (2:45)

Christopher Higgins (1G, +1, 14:27 TOI, 0:08 PP, 3:47 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three of four, including goals back-to-back. Ian White (1A, +1, 17:58 TOI, 3:19 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has helpers in three in a row and four of six.

Nashville Predators 5 @ San Jose Sharks 8
Goaltending match-up: Dan Ellis (17/23, .739 SV%) & Pekka Rinne (1/2/ .500 SV%) vs. Evgeni Nabokov (40/45, .889 SV%)
Net notes: Ellis was 1-3-0 vs. SJ with 3.25/ .919 splits coming in. Nabby was 13-8-2-1 vs. NAS with 2.15/ .913 splits and two shutouts.

Colin Wilson Jason Arnott Martin Erat
Steve Sullivan Marcel Goc Patric Hornqvist
J.P. Dumont Dustin Boyd Jordin Tootoo
Jerred Smithson David Legwand Joel Ward

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

Dany Heatley Joe Thornton Devin Setoguchi
Ryane Clowe Patrick Marleau Joe Pavelski
Jed Ortmeyer Manny Malhotra Torrey Mitchell
Jamie McGinn Scott Nichol Brad Staubitz

Douglas Murray Dan Boyle
Niclas Wallin Rob Blake
Kent Huskins Jay Leach

Key notes: Patric Hornqvist (2G, even, 17:31 TOI, 3:42 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) snapped a 10-game goalless streak and he had two points in that span coming in here. Shea Weber (1A, -5, 20:14 TOI, 3:51 PP, 0:52 PK, 3 SOG) was back in the line-up after missing time with an upper-body injury. -5? Ouch. Ryan Suter (1A, -6, 21:37 TOI, 3:49 PP, 1:02 PK, 5 SOG) has collected points in five of six since the Olympics and his -6 wasn't helping his owners either.

Colin Wilson (1G, 1A, even, 19:12 TOI, 1:38 PP, no PK, 4 SOG, 2-1 FO for 67%) has points in three straight and four of six. Steve Sullivan (1A, even, 15:34 TOI, 2:18 PP, 0:25 PK, 2 SOG) has helpers in four of six.

J.P. Dumont (2G, even, 9:57 TOI, 2:34 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has goals in three of five. Martin Erat (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 20:09 TOI, 3:42 PP, 0:55 PK, 2 SOG, 1-3 FO for 25%) had six points in six games before this evening.

Top PP times (NAS): Weber (3:51), Suter (3:49), Erat (3:42), Hornqvist (3:42) and Arnott (3:22)
Top PP times (SJ): Marleau (2:20), Heatley (2:20), Boyle (2:20), Thornton (2:16) and Pavelski (2:06)

Joe Thornton (1G, 1A, +1, 19:10 TOI, 2:16 PP, 0:34 PK, 3 SOG, 6-9 FO for 40%) began the night with 77 points and only nine points shy of last year's total of 86. Devin Setoguchi (1A, +1, 17:47 TOI, 0:35 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had six points in nine outings before today.

Joe Pavelski (2G, 2A, +3, 19:35 TOI, 2:06 PP, 2:42 PK, 5 SOG, 5-6 FO for 45%) has points in three of four since the break. Manny Malhotra (1G, 2A, +3, 14:05 TOI, 0:31 PP, 0:54 PK, 1 SOG, 3-7 FO for 30%) has points in three of four as well.

Patrick Marleau (1G, 1A, -1, 21:11 TOI, 2:20 PP, 2:20 PK, 7-5 FO for 58%) entered this evening three points shy of last year's total of 71 points. Dany Heatley (2G, 1A, +1, 20:46 TOI, 2:20 PP, no PK, 5 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) was also three point shy of his '08-9 total coming in here, which was 72 with the Sens. Dan Boyle (1A, +2, 2 PIM, 27:44 TOI, 2:20 PP, 2:19 PK, 1 SOG) had points in three of eight coming in and that's about his biggest slump of the season. Not too shabby.

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!