Thoughts on Tyler Bozak – man he looks great out there already. I thought he would be “adequate” for this season with potential for so much more in the next year or two, but since the trade Bozak has really looked like an NHLer out there and a great match for Kessel. I actually wonder if he’ll even get past 20 points the rest of the way? He’s in the NHL for good at any rate.

Rene Bourque was hit from behind last night by Kurtis Foster, leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. No word on anything beyond that.

To expand on Ville Leino, and I think Angus commented on him yesterday, but he’s in tough to turn his NHL career around. It will take two things: 1) a Philly injury and 2) Lucky bounces that bring early results. If he doesn’t get that, then you’ll be waiting on him until next camp. He’ll still get another chance.

Cam Ward is battling a sore back that will have him see a back specialist this week. Without knowing anything further, all I can do is take my best guess. If I owned him, I would count on him not playing until after the Olympic break and i would put it 50/50 that he’ll shut it down for the season.

I’m happy to see that my team in the Expert’s League – 11th place by as late as November 10 – is now up to third behind Frozen Pool’s Jason Arbuthnot and Expert Audit’s Ian Fergusson. Salvaged what I really thought may have been a dead season. Fleischmann, Greene and Kostitsyn have been the best waiver pickups that have helped, although Dan Sexton had his moments too, and Upshall and Jones before they got hurt. Trading Theodore for Boyes hasn’t paid huge yet, but it could (my weakness is goals and shots).

Patrick Elias was back in the New Jersey lineup: He played with Kovalchuk and Zubrus, putting Parise and Zajac back with Langenbrunner. Awesome first two lines. Odd man out: Brian Rolston is stuck playing with Niedermayer and Pandolfo.

Erik Karlsson is out until after the Olympic break with a shoulder injury. He had really come into his own and makes an excellent buy-low candidate in keeper leagues. It wouldn’t surprise me if he tallied 50 points next season.

Ray Emery has soreness in his hip and missed yesterday’s contest. He is day to day, and could play as early as today.

Ville Leino may not get into the Philly lineup soon because “I wouldn’t take someone out of my lineup right now” Peter Laviolette told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Leino has seven points in 42 games after getting nine in just 13 last  year.

The Leafs have recalled Viktor Stalberg.

Henrik Sedin has two points in four road games so far on their 13-game road trip. Daniel has four points. So does Burrows (but all in one game).

Love it when a goalie emerges this late in the season, cause they’re so hard to come by in fantasy leagues. But Anton Khudobin got his first NHL start yesterday and gave up just a goal. This after coming on in relief Thursday and allowing zero goals on nine shots. He was awarded the win in each of them. From the sounds of it, Backstrom will be out for another game or two yet, though he’s back skating.

Look for a nice run from J.P. Dumont. He was given just 8:45 of ice time Thursday due to a perceived lack of commitment and he responded yesterday with two points. Since he plays with Cal O’Reilly (three points last night) it bodes well for him too. The added offensive depth can only help the other lines.

Benoit Pouliot missed last night’s contest with an undisclosed injury. He is day to day. The Habs beat the Pens despite being with Pouliot, A. Kostitsyn, Cammalleri, and M.A. Bergeron.

And they’re still not recalling Max Pacioretty, who is trying to regain is offensive touch after just 14 points in 52 NHL games and two in seven AHL games.

Mathieu Darche has had a nice run. The 33-year-old minor leaguer has five points in his last eight NHL games and is lining up in Pouliot’s spot with S.K. and Plekanec. I don’t see an extended run of these numbers, but perhaps as long as Pouliot’s out he can continue.

Jussi Jokinen continues rolling for the Canes. He has been shut out just once in the last 10 games and has 19 points in the last 14 games. He has 20 goals for the first time in his career and he is on pace for 62 now.

Jeff Carter was added as an alternate for Team Canada. I believe this is an unofficial rumor – but a true one.

The Oilers as a team have scored just six goals in their last six games. Taylor Hall is just what the doctor ordered. If they can have Hall, Eberle and MPS – along with whatever their return is for the firesale you know is coming – this team could potential be a fun team to watch rebuild, not unlike the Penguins, Blackhawks and Kings of the recent past.

Brandon Yip has 15 points in his last 17 contests and is regularly seeing top six ice time now. He is also a plus-9 on the campaign with three PP goals. I still don’t see his potential above 70 points at the very best, but he’s carrying a hot stick right now that’s for sure.

Michal Handzus has had back to back three-point games and has eight in his last five.

J-S Giguere – two starts for the Maple Leafs. Two shut outs. And I think they would have won Friday’s game had he been in net as well. They blew that one giving up three goals in the last three minutes.

I’ll be doing today’s article analyzing the teams that have made recent moves and what has happened so far and where things are trending, so look out for that one.

Joni Pitkanen has healed from his suckitis that he had earlier in the season. He has 14 points in his last 14 games.

Tom Poti has 13 points in his last 19 games and makes a great pick up if you need a rearguard.

Only two players in the top 20 in scoring are minus players: Malkin is minus-1, and Brad Richards is minus-11.

John Tavares has just six points in his last 26 games and is minus-13 in that span.

We have over 1500 people signed up for the Olympics hockey pool – of course we do, it is after all “free” and there are great prizes available to be won. The only reason you haven’t set up a team yet could only be cowardice – you’re afraid I’ll embarrass you. If you ever get a spine, click here to join. Takes five minutes to pick your guys, if you’re one of those babies who whines about lack of time.

I’m completely sold out of the DobberHockey Night in Toronto luxury box tickets – and I even sold one more than I wanted to. Not a big deal, as I was holding extra for my writers in case more of them confirm. So far, myself, Russ Miller, Brent Lemon and Steve “Notch” Johnson are confirmed. I’ll make one more ticket available in a little while if a writer doesn’t fill the last spot. As I mentioned before – food is included, beer is available, and we’ll probably swing out to a pub for a couple of pops after the game: Marlies vs. Heat.