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Interesting waiver consideration – Kings forward Trevor Lewis has four points and is plus-6 in his last three games. his ice time is finally up in that 15-16 minute range. He has always been a player with potential, but he had been buried for so long that we forgot about him.

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Brad Marchand is having a hell of a season, with 12 points in 14 games. Amazingly, his ice time is actually down this year – from 17:37 to 16:36. His PP time is about flat – from 2:09 to 2:11. Of course, the number is skewed a little from when he was hurt and left the game halfway through, back on the 2nd. But still, it’s the steady, skilled linemates (Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron) that are doing this. Only two of his points are via the power play.

Marchand had six SOG Sunday, after just 20 heading into the game.

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Dennis Seidenberg had eight hits and five blocked shots Sunday.

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Peter Mueller led all Florida forwards in ice time, playing 21:19. That’s easily a season high for him. Nothing to show for it though.

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Drew Shore has eight points in his last 11 games. In most league formats he should be off the waiver wire by now. Great shot totals, decent plus/minus.

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So what surprised me more, the Red Wings scoring eight goals, or Roberto Luongo giving up eight goals. First instinct was the Wings scoring eight. My first thought was that they’re on fire. That Niklas Kronwall is going nutty and – uh oh – Damien Brunner has found his NHL stride.

First, Kronwall. Back-to-back three-point games give him 16 in 19 on the season, fulfilling his promise to fill the offensive void on the blue. I acquired him in the summer in every pool I could. Had been questioning that. Not anymore. Three of those six points came on the PP, by the way.

Brunner’s four-point outburst came just days after I dropped him in a rather shallow daily league. I had no other option, I didn't want to drop him but someone else dropped Cory Conacher and frankly I thought that was an upgrade (I still do). But he’s here to stay, folks. He should get at least 35 points this year and, barring a new coach, he’ll stay with Zetterberg into next season – which means 60+ points.

Jakub Kindl has points in four of his last five games and plus-5 in that span. He is still getting the occasional healthy scratch, but seeing over 20 minutes Sunday has to help the ol’ confidence.

Prospect Joakim Andersson, a defensive forward with some upside, has five points in nine games for the Wings. He is plus-5 in his last two games. He is looking at strong career in that plus/minus category and should be a future 40-point player.

So where does Gustav Nyquist stand? Well, the Red Wings are giving him an added year in the AHL. This is a new thing for them. Not. They feel that two full years in the AHL is the minimum requirement. Tatar put in the time, even though he’s younger. Andersson put in the time as well. Andersson fills a different role. Nyquist should be in the mix next season. The team is wise to limit the amount of rookies they bring on board each season.

Nyquist had a three-point game for Grand Rapids yesterday and has six in his last two AHL contests – and finally someone has passed Jordan Eberle in the AHL scoring race. So yeah, he’s doing well.

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Does the NHL’s new realignment plan (really just sending Detroit and Columbus to the East and going with four Conferences) lead you to believe that they won’t be expanding to Toronto or Quebec within three years? I can’t see them changing the realignment again in 2015 (assuming the PA approves)

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Evgeni Malkin suffered short-term memory loss and has been diagnosed with a concussion. He is getting his memory back, but will sit out of at least the next three games. Best case – Monday March 4.

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Jack Johnson is out with a shoulder injury. The Jackets recalled Ryan Johansen, who played 15:17 in his return. He had four shots and three hits – somebody wants to stay.

Cam Atkinson has been back for three games, but the Jackets have only scored four goals in that span. He has one assist, but I’d like to see his numbers if the Jackets ever get on a bit of a streak. Even the worst teams have hot streaks – they’re just short.

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Raffi Torres has five points in his last four games and is plus-3 in that span.

Matt Lombardi has four points in six games with his new/old team. He’s seeing 17 minutes per game right now and is worth looking into if you need a center.

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I love the power of the healthy scratch. Alex Goligoski has five points in seven games since being scratched.

Getting his first career NHL win – Cristopher Nilstorp. The Stars like him better than Richard Bachman, so they were hoping for some success that they can use as an excuse to have him keep starting and make their scouting staff look like geniuses. All teams do it. It’s not good, it’s not bad – it just is.

That’s my Zen though for you for today.

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Already without Del Zotto (day to day with a bone bruise), the Rangers are now without Ryan McDonagh (unconfirmed concussion) and Dan Girardi (bone bruise in ankle. I wonder if they recall Dylan McIlrath, who is a potential PIM stud.

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With four assists last night, Francois Beauchemin is a top fantasy defenseman year-to-day. He has 11 points and is plus-15 on the year.

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Kevin Poulin lost his first start of the season, though he had a shutout entering the second half of the game.

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Dobber Nation will be up tomorrow. A day late, sorry.

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Last week I don’t think I posted any of my columns here for you. So here they are:

The Hockey News – Top 10 pleasant surprises

The Hockey News – St. Louis Blues’ offense

The Hockey News – Fantasy Hockey Mailbag

Puck Daddy

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Max Pacioretty has been cleared of his hit Saturday on McDonagh. No suspension.

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Where does Dustin Jeffrey fit in with the Pittsburgh Penguins? – The Hockey Writers.

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Kiprusoff update here. Seems promising, not timetable yet but I would guess a week.

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Martin Brodeur was supposed to start Sunday, but he left warm ups early and Hedberg drew in. No concrete update on that as of yet.

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Wow, look at this – a set play? The twins…

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And from Saturday, Jamie Benn vs. Joe Thornton (yep, you read that right):