Goldie Says: Here’s why I think Nabokov still belongs in the NHL, preferrably in a TBL uni. Ellis and Smith insight included. I’ll have a pulse on this until TB announces they are “confident” in Ellis/Smith. Which they shouldn’t be.

I agree about NSH’s defensive system. But Mitch Korn still produces amazing “NHL ready” goalies from Europe. In that regard, keeper managers need to put Atte Engren on their radar. He could come over from TPS in SM-liiga this summer and pull a Lindback.

TSN reports that the Devils have placed Brian Rolston on waivers. I don’t think he’ll pop on a new team. I also don’t think another team will take him at his current price.

Jon Quick stopped 51 shots for the shutout. Can’t remember the last time a shutout was earned so deservedly. I did a double take when I looked at the scoring in my one league. Never saw a goalie get 5.55 points (our scoring system) in a single game.

Least deserving NHL star of the week in recent history: Marc-Andre Fleury. Wins are on a silver platter for him right now. Anders Lindback was the better goaltender last week.

Sergei Kostitsyn actually left last night’s game in the third period after taking a shot off the foot. I’ll keep you posted.

That was the third time this year that Steve Mason was pulled.

The Dispatch is now saying that Kristian Huselius is a “good chance” to dress for tomorrow night’s game.

As I hinted in yesterday’s ramblings, a horrible Turco start would put the starting job firmly in Corey Crawford’s hands. Well, he allowed four goals on 10 shots and got the hook. So Crawford came in and shut the door, stopping everything until three minutes left when he gave up two quick ones (to tie and then to lose, so he got saddled with the loss). Those who heeded my advice two or three weeks ago will start to see the dividends now – and lots of dividends to come.

If I own Rinne, I’m hoping that Lindback starts letting in some goals. The problem is, it’s the “team” system. Granted, Lindback and Rinne are both solid goaltenders, but it’s not a coincidence that this team “finds” gems each year. I mean – really? Mason, Ellis, Rinne, Lindback? Not one of them sucked in Nashville? Are they all stars or is the real star Barry Trotz? Anyway, these shutouts and one-goal games by Lindback have to stop or Rinne won’t get another foothold all season.

Steve Mason – I told you he would get another start after his strong effort last game – got the hook. Yes, he was unable to follow up, allowing two goals on four shots within the first five minutes of action. Garon came in, shut the door, and the goaltending question marks will continue.

Still with goaltending, Jimmy Howard has lost three of his last four, allowing 15 goals in that span on 123 shots.

Drew Doughty broke out nicely with a three-assist effort. That comes as a huge relief for his owners, who have been waiting for a big night from him all season.

The Kings are still playing Ponikarovsky on the third line. Not even a peek at a shift on the first line. He did pick up his first point since coming back though.

Sergei Kostitsyn picked up another two points. He’s officially on fire. He’s drawing some focus from the opposition now, which opened things up for Patric Hornqvist (two goals). It was the Isles, though, so the team scoring five times is not a huge feat. But it is a nice sign.

As Hejduk remains sidelined, notice that Brandon Yip and Kevin Porter each continue to produce. You gotta love these Avs. Young, exciting, and seemingly a bottomless pit of talent.

Anton Babchuk is starting to settle in for the Flames now – three points in five games and the ice time is creeping upwards. Yep, pick him up, this is what we’ve been waiting for from him.

Though the Sens lost, Daniel Alfredsson snapped his 10-game drought, so that’s something…

Bryan Little has a four-game points streak going and is plus-5 in that span. He’s seeing 18 minutes a game.

Anssi Salmela could return as early as Wednesday night. He has been in the AHL on conditioning. He’ll need a couple of games to get his timing back, but by next week could start posting points. Worth watching, but not acting upon just yet.

Rhett Rakhshani played 11:44 in his NHL debut for the Isles. He also caught some PP time.

And the band plays on for John Tavares. Pointless in five now, and a minus-6.

Kyle Okposo has been skating for over a week now. He could be back at Christmas. That is exactly what Tavares needs.

Once again, Ben Eager and Niclas Bergfors were HEALTHY scratches for Atlanta. Hey, you can’t question the coach on this one – he keeps winning games.

Evgeni Malkin is still on track to play tonight. Who may not play is Chris Kunitz, who missed practice according to Shelly Anderson of the Post-Gazette. If Kunitz misses, it looks like Malkin will play with Crosby. But I know one person with two thumbs who would like to see Jeffrey on that line for a few shifts. “This guy!”

Interesting that while Jeffrey has been up in the NHL, Eric Tangradi was the AHL player of the week…

TJ Galiardi is practicing with full contact and should be back in the lineup by this weekend. That will likely end the aforementioned Porter’s little run.

Matt Stajan was a healthy scratch again.

Eight of you were interested in taking over Sentium’s team and embrace the challenge of pulling it up the standings and I have developed a little contest to decide who gets it. I’ll have an article up later toda on it that you will find interesting.

It’s hard to believe that Duncan Keith is minus-11

Tomas Fleischmann was pointless last night with about two and a half minutes left in the game. Then he got three points.