With four points last night, Andy McDonald has 12 points in 12 games since his return, and 30 in 28 this season. Pencil him in for 75 next campaign, with upside.

As I alluded to in the trade breakdown (but oddly enough, changed my mind in today's Hockey News recap article), Erik Cole replaced Samsonov on that top line, playing with Staal and Ruutu. Samsonov responded with two points playing with Brind'Amour and Eaves. In the end, the added depth seemed to help Ray Whitney, who found more room and scored a hat trick.

It was a better game for Carey Price, who stopped 26 of 27 shots. It wasn't enough for the win, but it was enough to help his confidence. Putting him in again was probably an attempt to get his confidence back and it worked. Now I'm on the fence as to which one of these guys will play more down the stretch. I know the Habs would prefer it be Price, because they feel he is the guy to ride in the postseason.

Very interesting: Cory Murphy logged 30 minutes of ice time, including on the PK. He had one assist.

Noah Welch played 23 minutes in his Lightning debut. Karsums played 11 in his (and was a minus-1).

In the (my perceived) battle between Lindstrom, Prucha, Dawes and Lisin for one of two jobs in Phoenix next season, it was another blow to Lisin and a major blow to Lindstrom. He played just nine minutes. Lisin was a healthy scratch. Meanwhile, Prucha notched an assist in 17:36 of action (5:25 on the PP). Dawes played just 13:09. All four of these guys have second-line, 65 point potential, give or take, but only two of them will prove to be fantasy worthy in the fall. Pay attention to how this plays out, as it could determine who you take in the later rounds of your draft, or who you get as a "throw in" in a midsummer trade.

Dominic Moore saw next to no PP time and 14:31 in ice time. As I said, he is back to be in a checker now.

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Devin Setoguchi has 10 points in his last 20.

Brendan Morrison played 15:24 in his Dallas debut.

DAL line combos: Ribeiro, with Ott and Eriksson; Modano, with Sutherby and Conner; Morrison with Neal and Brunnstom

Erik Christensen played with Getzlaf and Perry last night. He was pointless so it may not last.

Today is DobberHockey day at the Marlies – you can still by tickets through me up until noon, but then I cut it off. You can't even get these for 25 bucks through scalpers – that's how much you are saving!