Mining the Senators, replacing Byfuglien, Okposo to return and more…

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Had a couple of complaints about a lack of recapping all the games these past couple of days. I get it but that's not necessarily what these ramblings are about. My expectation is that you've already looked at the box scores from the night before. If I have a bunch of content then maybe I don't touch on every game. Just the way it goes. For instance, last night I put together 1,500 words before the games even started. For better or worse that means less is coming in terms of game recaps. Consider yourself forewarned.

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Sergei Bobrovsky is back to reign terror upon the fantasy world! Okay maybe not. This was his second game back from injury and while he won this won, it was against the Devils, not exactly a fearsome opponent. He only needed 21 saves to do it too.

Bobrovsky has been a fantasy MVP the past couple of years in March and April ripping through the league with a 30-10-3 record, a 2.00 GAA and a .934 save percentage. I remember in 2013 he basically won me my league single-handedly in a year when my team was struggling otherwise.

The dude has had some transcendent runs. Not sure I trust him for a third straight though. Columbus just seems too banged up.

Helping the cause is a quick return from concussion for Brandon Dubinsky who had a goal and an assist last night. I panic dumped him a week ago when I found out about the head injury. Certainly regretting it now.

Justin Falk also had a goal and an assist but he isn't worth owning. He just isn't.

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In yesterday's ramblings I talked about how Darcy Kuemper might see action with the Wild skating in the back-to-back. Didn't happen. Devan Dubnyk started (and won) again. No one else has started a game for the Wild since Dubnyk was acquired. Impressive but you've got to wonder if he has enough gas in the tank for another month of this plus playoffs.

On a positive note for Dubnyk and the Wild, they've put themselves three points clear of the Jets for the #1 Wild Card spot in the West so they'd need to get jumped by two teams at this point and they hold a pretty significant edge in regulation/overtime wins, which is an important tiebreaker. It's like having an extra point in the standings.

The Wild also have just seven games left on the road versus 10 at home, so the schedule is lining up in their favour as well. If things continue at this rate the Wild will have a playoff spot wrapped up with plenty of time left to find Dubnyk some rest. They certainly better have their spot wrapped before the final week as they close out the season on a road trip of terror against each of the top three teams in the Central (Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis). That road trip is worth noting if you've got Dubnyk in a fantasy pool. Hopefully your league ends before that week, otherwise Dubnyk may not be the reliable option you've found him to be.

Two-point nights once again for Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. That's back-to-back games like that for these two. One more and we can call it a streak. Wouldn't that be nice timing for those in head-to-head leagues?

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Injury woes for Chad Johnson pushed the Sabres to call-up Andrey Makarov (read more on him here). Makarov didn't see action as Anders Lindback got the call. I wouldn't advise snagging Makarov. He isn't ready to play. I doubt the Sabres even give him any action. And, of course, continue to treat Lindback as hostile.

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The Senators' depth wonders continue to produce! Milan Michalek (two assists), Mark Stone (goal and assist), Mika Zibanejad (goal), Mike Hoffman (assist). These guys are all widely available in fantasy leagues, just begging to be picked up. They've been at it like this for going on a month now. Did I mention the Senators play as many games as any team from here on out? 19 left for the Senators and sizzling hot.

The Hamburglar is up to 7-0-1. Still not a believer long term but I love it all the same.

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With Henrik Zetterberg back both Justin Abdelkader and Erik Cole are in the money as his wingers. I talked about this earlier in the week so I won't elaborate too much but the trio combined for all six points scored by Red Wings last night, which is a nice feat.

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The Flames won't die, even without their captain and MVP Mark Giordano.

Kris Russell didn't have to block 15 shots last night but he continues to produce with his minutes bump. Another assist for Russell in 26 minutes of action. Also stepping up is Dennis Wideman who had two assists in 26 minutes of action. You almost have to get in on this pair if they are going to keep skating big minutes like this. Perhaps you use Russell as an injury replacement for someone we talk about later in these ramblings…

First game for Jonas Hiller in two weeks and what a performance stopping 33 of 35 for a huge win. Do the Flames continue to roll with the whole "hot hand" thing? If so it would seemingly be Hiller's turn to run with it after Ramo lost the other night.

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Oscar Klefbom is a perfect example of why tear-it-down rebuilds take so damn long. Almost three and a half years after being drafted Klefbom is finally making waves but he's just one of six defensemen the Oilers are going to need to be a threat and they traded another one in Jeff Petry just a week ago.

Klefbom is also a reminder that sometimes deadline trades don't always work out for buyers. The Kings traded the Klefbom pick (along with Colton Teubert and a later pick) for Dustin Penner. Penner was a flop, the Kings lost in round one and the Oilers got a nice pick for their troubles. Penner and the Kings did win the Cup the following year, however, so I suppose it wasn't all bad for Los Angeles.

Seven SOG in 26 minutes for Klefbom last night though. Not a lot of positives in Edmonton right now but he is one.

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