Angus here – my fantasy hockey mailbag is open for the rest of the day today. Ask your questions here. Also, starting in the New Year, I am going to be making my 15 Points to Consider a weekly column.

Blake Geoffrion was sent back to Milwaukee by the Preds today.

Jacob Josefson was back skating for the first time today, though he’s still a ways away from a return to action from his broken clavicle.

Kris Russell left last night’s game with a lower body injury that sounds as though it may be serious, though the Blues are tight-lipped.

Detroit’s Jan Mursak – remember him? – is ready for an AHL conditioning stint.

Hey Justin Peters! Welcome back! The guy gets riddled with pucks, facing 52 shots, in his first NHL games this season. Good on him to only allow four by.

Adam Larsson will return to the lineup after missing two games to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Since his PP time has been cut down, he’s actually been more productive – 10 points in his last 16 games.

Brian Elliott has lost two of his last three now and Halak is 4-0-2. Despite Elliott's amazing numbers  (and performance) overall, the tide is starting to turn and if Halak ever gets a real foothold, then the 1A/1B thing will stop.

Claude Giroux can run, but he can't hide. Two more points for Evgeni Malkin pulls him within two points of the NHL lead. Giroux assisted on Philadelphia's only goal.

Drayson Bowman was a minus-2 last night and saw his ice time slip to 13:16. This is what I would rather see from a coach – give the kid the minutes, and then gradually dial it back with each game that he stumbles. Once it gets down to 10 minutes, just shoot him back to the AHL. Zac Dalpe was recalled and played 12:43. He was also minus-2, but his ice time was his highest of the season in the NHL.

When Jordan Staal was a rookie, he was a Cy Young winner (29 goals, 13 assists). This year, he's getting back to that. His 14 goals are great, but the six assists imply little in the way of linemates.

Tyler Kennedy has quietly posted five points during a four-game points streak.

In his last 113 games, Eric Staal is minus-33.

Uh oh. Concussion for Shea Weber. Ryan Ellis is probably a good idea (and an obvious one), if you need a replacement.

I've been a little hesitant in believing that Derick Brassard has turned the corner, but it looks like he has. His goal last night gives him five points in four games on a team that isn't scoring. The ice time has stabilized at around 15 minutes.

After being scratched, PK Subban bounced back with two points and a plus-2 rating. He always responds to being scratched – and as he gets older, that fire will stop occasionally going out and he'll just be a great player from Game 1 to Game 82.

Milan Michalek played 20 minutes in his return, notching an assist.

Montreal rearguard Raphael Diaz notching three assists caught my attention. But that's a blip. It speaks to something in the future, perhaps… but for this season that was a one-off.

With two points last night, Louis Leblanc has four in his last six. He's still seeing around 10 minutes per game, but brings what the team needs – offense.

After going minus-3 with 20 minutes of ice time, David Desharnais saw his ice time get rolled back to under 14 minutes. Not a definitive sign, but it does hint at his lack of productivity continuing.

Craig Anderson got the hook after giving up four goals on seven shots. He can't string together any kind of run, it seems.

Kyle Turris' three-game points streak is over, though he saw 18 minutes.

Not really his forte, but MA Bergeron going plus-7 in his last six games is quite promising in terms of future ice time and coach's confidence. Too bad he has zero points in that span. In fact, he has one in his last nine.

Another goalie gets the hook – James Reimer allowed three goals on eight shots. Gustavsson comes in, plays better, and gets saddled with the loss.

Cody Franson has nine points and is plus-6 in his last 16 games.

Ian White picked up two assists for the Wings last night and he actually led the team in ice time. If 19 points and plus-25 in 32 games doesn't effectively replace Brian Rafalski, then nothing does.

Jason Arnott has nine points in his last nine games.

Ondrej Pavelec has allowed just nine goals in his last six games, though he has just three wins to show for it.

TJ Oshie did not dress for the Blues due to his wrist injury.

Devante Smith-Pelly suffered a fractured left foot during WJC play and will be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

Daniel Carcillo has missed five games with a concussion, but is looking to return for tonight's contest.

I'm glad I don't have to watch ESPN. This is just terrible. Disgrace is too nice a word.

Jared Spurgeon will be out for the Wild, day to day, with a lower-body injury.

Nathan Gerbe is expected to be cleared for contact today, which should mean he's back in a week.

Stephen Weiss is out with a chest injury and is day-to-day. From what I know of Weiss and his rather frequent injuries – he always come back quickly. Far quicker than expected. So I don't expect this to be a lengthy absence.

Joining Shea Weber on the all-concussion team: Simon Gagne.

Victor Hedman left last night's contest with a UBI. Matt Gilroy is already missing time with an LBI.

Pacioretty vs. Lee:

Whoa! Simmonds vs. Brewer: