Malkin is not available tonight due to unspecified soreness. Through his first two games, the center/right wing posted a goal and an assist. Look for Jordan Staal and Mark Letestu to split his offensive minutes.
Connolly left practice today after only 15 minutes. He is not expected to play this weekend. Stay tuned for a further update on his status.
Just three games into the season and Diaz is already a top-4 defender. Last season, and every season of his career, he played for Zug of the Swiss-A league scoring 12 goals and 39 points over 45 games. He could be yet another Swiss defender to break through with the Canadiens.
Eller will return to the lineup and start on the fourth line. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. Expected to get the first crack at the top line, Eller continues to get some tough love and will need to re-earn his playing time.
Moen moves up to the top line and will likely give Erik Cole and Tomas Plekanec some space. Last season he scored six goals and 16 points through 79 games. Through his first two tilts, he already potted a goal and an assist. He could add some short-term value to your fantasy hockey team.
Rundblad makes his NHL debut tonight, pairing with the reliable stay-at-home defender Chris Phillips. Last season he posted incredible stats -- 11 goals, 50 points over 55 games played. Keep him in the back of your mind should he get valuable offensive minutes.
Regin returns to the lineup after missing the first two games. While he should begin the game on the third line, he likely moves up at some point.
Zibanejad moves to the wing in his third NHL game. Through his first two, he registered one assist.
Peverley is a big part of the top two lines and should see time on the top line as the season progresses. Last season he scored four goals and seven points through 23 games which projects to 15 goals and 25 points -- totals he clearly will surpass this season. With two goals through the first three games, he certainly makes a serviceable fantasy hockey option.
Look for one, or both players, to make their 2011-2012 debut on the fourth line this Thursday.
Look for one, or both players, to make their 2011-2012 debut on the fourth line this Thursday.
As a former 45-goal scorer, taking Parise in the second or third round of your draft should prove to be a steal. At this point he's on pace for 82-goals, which is clearly unsustainable, but definitely helps elevate him back into the elite LW options.
Crosby skating continues to be a welcome sign for fantasy hockey owners. Stay tuned for a further update.
Kadri likely needs a few more days to recovery but could return as soon as this Saturday's game. When he does return, he could reclaim his spot on the top line if Tim Connolly is still injured.
MacArthur is eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday, October 15th. Last season he scored 21 goals and 62 points over 82 games while playing on the Grabovski line. Expect similar production despite his two games missed.
The Caps are scoring at a higher rate again but Ovechkin is not contributing enough for coach Bruce Boudreau's liking. Through his first two games, the superstar has contributed to only one of the team's 10 goals and holds a minus-2 rating despite the teams +2 goal differential.
Carcillo played on the top lines in Philadelphia, so playing on a scoring line with Hossa and Kane is not a foreign concept. He figures to play more in Chicago then he did at his previous organizations, so expect around double digits in goals as well as well over 100 PIM.
The sky is certainly the limit for Toews, who posted career highs in assists and points last season. At this point in his career, he should continue to improve, landing in the 35-goal, 75-point range. With so many question marks in the first round, the former 3rd overall pick certainly would not have been a reach.
Burns was apparently nervous in his first game with the Sharks but still finished with an assist. Look for him to approach career highs in his first season in teal, especially if he develops chemistry with the rest of his linemates.
Kronwall is expected to lead the team in ice time and almost has, playing roughly a minute less than Ian White and Nicklas Lidstrom. Expect the Stockholm, Sweden native to score around 10 goals and 40 points with a tidy plus/minus and a few PP.
