Ovechkin playing today is a "possibility."

Maybe Phil Kessel doesn't need Marc Savard? He now has four goals since returning to the Leafs lineup – Brian Burke's mandate should be to go and get this guy a center, ASAP. Kessel fired seven shots on goal and can create a lot of offense with his speed and insane release, so don't fret that he is stuck with Matt Stajan for now.

Cristobal Huet is really settling in nicely after a rough start – he had another great game, earning the win and stopping 29 of 31 shots. On Chicago he is a elite fantasy goalie to own… probably not the case if he is on basically any other NHL team. But with that contract don't expect him to be going anywhere soon.

Ryan Miller: 11-2-1, .940 save percentage, 1.75 GAA. Brian Burke and Team USA's management team must be salivating at this start.

Ondrej Pavelec earned his first career NHL shutout, blanking the Kings in a 7-0 romp. With Lehtonen out indefinitely, Pavelec's leash is very long. I really like Atlanta this season and believe they have a playoff-caliber club. They have great scorers, great role players, and a mobile, balanced defensive group.

If I ever get my today’s/tomorrow’s mixed up in the ramblings, I apologize. I often write these late at night because I am out West – don’t want to get up at four or five to beat all you out East to the punch!

John Mitchell is a great depth fantasy option (key word being depth). He plays like Getzlaf (a very very very very poor man's version) offensively. He is smaller, but he sees the ice very well and has great control with the puck. He should settle in nicely long term as a good 2^nd line center, one capable of producing 45-60 points per season. May be weird timing since he was pointless in only 13 minutes of ice time last night, but I am thinking big picture here!

Evander Kane is making his case for the Calder Trophy. He now has 11 points in 16 games after a three-goal performance against the Kings. I didn't think he was NHL ready after watching him play last season, but that is why I am not a professional scout or coach. He is big, feisty, fast, and incredibly skilled with the puck. His upside is ridiculous.

Rick Nash had a very unique shootout winner tonight – he lifted his left leg clear off the ice and roofed it. I am still undecided whether it was intentional or he lost his balance trying something… Video evidence is posted at the bottom of the ramblings.

Maxim Afinogenov is fitting in with Atlanta very nicely. He had a four point night against the Kings (I think you'll start to notice a Thrasher-friendly trend in today's ramblings). He did produce over 70 points one season as a Sabre, and he has a lot of motivation to prove that he still belongs in the NHL. He seems to be clicking with Kovalchuk as well, and in Atlanta that is your golden ticket to production.

David Clarkson is going to be a multi-cat monster this season. Currently on pace for 30 goals, 70 points, 230 SOG and 150 PIM! Obviously all of those totals are optimistic (aside from the PIM…), but it gives you an idea of how well he has been playing.

Sticking with the "on pace for" theme… Zach Bogosian is on pace for 31 goals (and only 10 assists). Cy Young numbers as a defenseman… pretty impressive. The Bogosian/Doughty debates are going to rage on forever (I favour Doughty, but that is probably because I get to see him play more).

The coaching staff of Long Island is gaining confidence in Jack Hillen. His ice time average was around 15-16, but over the past three games it has been closer to 22. He doesn't have much production to show for it (five points in 14 games), but ice time is a positive step and a trend to watch for with young offensive defensemen. Once they show they can handle the minutes defensively, the offense usually is soon to follow. (Thanks for the correction. Nice does not always equal ice).

Kyle Okposo had two points and played over 20 minutes in his return from H1N1. Tavares had two goals as well – these two, along with Moulson, are going to fuel whatever offense the Isles hope to get this season. Splitting them up makes sense to spread the depth out, but I would like to see them stick together more often as a trio.

Carolina lost again – Legace started bad and didn't look much better the rest of the way. As I said yesterday – Taylor Hall should start apartment hunting around Raleigh if this keeps up…

Brandon Sutter played 20 minutes and had two assists. Carolina is on the verge of a big transition and it will be interesting to see how long it takes for Sutter, Drayson Bowman, and Zack Boychuk to take over the reigns offensively (along with Eric Staal, of course). Sutter was bumped up to the top line for the game (although skating with Cole is hardly something to look forward to these days).

Steve Mason owners (that means me), time to get worried. Garon had a very strong game tonight, stopping 32 shots, including three in the shootout. He is far and away the best shootout goalie in the league right now – I am not sure if it is because he catches right or what… but he has some magic going on.

Erik Cole looks to be done as a fantasy player – after posting nearly a point-per-game last season with Carolina before being traded, he has 28 points in his last 70 contests (split between Edmonton and Carolina).

Another huge fantasy bust – Joe Corvo. In 2007-08 he had 21 points in 23 games after coming to the 'Canes in a deadline deal, but since then he has 44 points in 98 games. Not awful numbers for a defenseman but I think many assumed/hoped/expected the 21 in 23 was a trend, not an anomaly.

Go out and get Eric Fehr if you are in a keeper league. I think he is going to be a late bloomer, as long as he can stay relatively healthy. His play is improving with each game, but he is just buried offensively with Washington's depth at wing.

Fleischmann put on a lot of muscle in the off-season and it is showing – he is much harder to knock off the puck now. It will be interesting to see what happens with him with regards to Semin's contract status. Semin is rumored to be after a big contract (north of $6 million per), and there are some people in Washington that don't feel he contributes enough to warrant that kind of money (the word redundant has been tossed around). Could Fleischmann step up and fill in for him long term? It remains to be seen but definitely something to keep in mind.

Mathieu Perreault is doing everything he can to earn a permanent roster spot with the Capitals. He had a helper in just under 10 minutes of ice time. He is tiny, but smart, fast, and skilled. Kudos to Washington for uncovering a gem in Perreault and developing him properly.

Josh Harding had a great game but Minnesota just stinks offensively.

The Ducks fourth line COMBINED to play just over seven minutes. Niedermayer played 32, and Getzlaf and Perry both saw 28 minutes. Definitely not a sustainable strategy.

Huselius had a great game in his return, recording two points and firing four shots on goal. He has to play on his off wing when he skates with Nash, but it doesn't seem to affect his production. He is one of those players who is more valuable in fantasy hockey than in real life, so they often get underrated.

Anton Stralman has eight points through 15 games with Columbus (a 40 point clip). He needs to shoot the puck more, as he only has fired 24 shots on goal so far. He is getting a chance to produce from a coach who is often tough on players who are deficient defensively (especially those with the initials N.F.). Columbus lacked a power play defenseman before Stralman arrived, and he has made the most of his opportunity. 35 points should be an attainable number if he can keep this level of play up.

There are some awful power plays in the league right now. Boston, Carolina, Florida, and Nashville are all operating under the 13 per cent mark.

As I said yesterday, I'll have something out on Team Canada this week. I think it is my fifth or six version of the roster – some big changes this time!

Easiest job in the world right now? Ilya Kovalchuk's agent. Don Waddell's negotiating will probably end up being something like, "you want that $11 million in what denomination?"

Hint – Duncan Keith is playing his way on to Team Canada. He is simply dominant with his closing speed and ability to cover all areas of the ice surface.

Varlamov had a great game, and the seesaw in Washington's crease continues. Dobber favors Varlamov, I think Theodore will be the guy down the stretch, but the stats speak for themselves here. Varlamov is 7-1, while Theo is 5-2.4. Theo has been getting the tougher starts, though. Their other stats are relatively even.

Sheldon Souray may be returning to the Oilers lineup this weekend (Sunday against Atlanta, to be exact) – he has been practicing lately and it appears he has gotten past all of the concussion side effects.

Rick Nash does the “leg lift” to get the win here:

Pat Kane pretends Luke Schenn is his cab driver here (25 seconds in):