Kudos to Rich Peverley, for signing a three-year extension with the Bruins, $3.25 million hit. Not bad for an undrafted player who was waived.

The only question mark I’ve ever had with Varlamov is health. I’ve never questioned the talent. And if your league stresses saves then he’ll be one of the better owns – provided he gets in 60 stars. Mike Smith is another good one, if your league stresses saves…and has the same ‘health’ caveat.

Al Montoya has started both Islanders games, which is a relief to me.  I’m confident of a lot of my statements and of sharing where a trend is pointing to, but something could always go wrong and I don’t like letting you guys down. Case in point, the Malkin comment below. And I had one hell of a crazy Parise email last year, blaming me for his injury. But Montoya is proving me right – he is the starter for the Isles and if you picked him up as your third goalie you are reaping the rewards. I have him in just one of my four leagues, but would have been comfortable owning him in more.

As for Malkin, from what I have heard, his injury stems from a puck off the skate – not his knee. So exhale. He will miss tonight’s contest and I wouldn’t count on him for Thursday. From what I can gather, I think Saturday is a safe bet, but I’m no doctor.

Are the concussion boys being eased back in? Take a look at Peter Mueller’s ice time. Then look at Nathan Horton’s. You don’t expect to see 13 minutes, but that’s where they’re at. An interesting observation to take note. How long will this last? I would only be guessing, but I would say two weeks.

This is good…and bad. Michael Grabner leads all Islanders forwards in ice time with over 17 minutes per game. Yet he has goose eggs to show for it.

Ryan Strome still awaits his first NHL game…

Nice start so far from Jason Arnott, with three points in two games.

Marcus Johansson got back into the lineup and posted two points. That’s the ‘healthy scratch’ effect. Interesting to note that Mathieu Perreault remained in the lineup, but that he saw under nine minutes of ice time. Despite that, he still picked up an assist.

Good morning! Food poisoning hit me like a sledgehammer yesterday, so instead of hopping across the border to do some shopping I felt it would be better if instead I just curled up in the fetal position and moaned for mommy. So I’m still in Niagara Falls, an extra day, but heading back to the DobberHockey office shortly. In other words – more ramblings to come in the afternoon.

Not putting the poor kid down or anything, but Justin Faulk is crying ‘uncle’. Three games in and he’s minus-6. Until the ‘Canes can start winning, it’s going to get worse. Perhaps it’s a good thing that Ryan Murphy isn’t getting into the lineup. As for Jamie McBain, if he doesn’t get into next game in favor of Faulk, I’ll eat my hat. Not really.

Zac Dalpe – down to 6:42 of ice time. My Calder pick needs to score, and soon, if he’s going to avoid getting scratched (and eventually a demotion). I’ll say this much – if I were still updating the Guide, Dalpe wouldn’t be in the Top 5 now.

The Devils are easing their kid Adam Larsson in slowly. He only saw 24:35 of ice time Monday. And 5:47 of PP time.

Cam Ward – eight goals allowed on 59 shots.

Brodeur lost his game and Hedberg won his game. Curious as to how this will look at the 20-game mark. I say 5-6-2 for MB and 5-2-0 for JH. Just a hunch.

Other games, and some news and notes, this afternoon

Stefan Da Costa is on the trolley tracks here – oops! This happened right after Don Cherry went off on a rant about how there will be no more hitting…

The Nuge’s first career NHL goal: