Answering some comments below, because I think interactivity is a strength here…

We all know I’m a Price backer. In fact, I’m criticized for going too far with it. So if I’m hard on him, that’s just me being balanced (or…trying). And yes, Montreal’s defense is suspect. But come on. They allowed just 17 shots to get through. To allow five goals on 17 shots is brutal. I don’t think blaming the defense is a plausible excuse here. In fact, if a team allows just 17 shots, the defense is stellar.

I agree with another comment – Price has started too many games. At the same time, when he was winning non-stop, it would have been so hard to take him out!

There was also a comment about crediting the writer versus crediting the newspaper or website. I mix it up – if you go through the past few weeks ramblings, you’ll find 50% writer, 40% website and then maybe 10% linked. I’ll hyperlink it if I thought to paste it in my notes or I didn’t close the tab. Otherwise I’ll credit either the writer or the source – but no real preference, although I do tend to credit the writer more if I get the info from Twitter.

Chris Kuc has now reported that Stalberg, although ready, will not be in the lineup tonight.

Cam Ward is ready to return (Carolina News-Observer). The skin infection is no longer a problem.

Lindback gets the start tonight for the Preds. Look for Rinne next game, I’m sure.

Ryan Malone is apparently good to go. Damian Cristodero reports that he was in practice and ready to roll. Malone is the type of player who, even with his legs cut off, would crawl onto the ice swinging his stick around, looking for the play.

In an effort to spark Jason Spezza, the Sens have promoted Ryan Shannon to the top line with he and Michalek. A situation worth watching – don’t roll your eyes at me!

Patrik Berglund was not in practice today, but the Blues say that he is fine. We shall see…

Angus has a very special holiday fantasy hockey mailbag open for the next few days – send your questions in here.

Phoenix has recalled Mikkel Boedker from the AHL. It bothers me that he gets first recall over Brett MacLean. MacLean is outscoring him for San Antonio and MacLean had a better camp. But Boedker was drafted eighth overall while MacLean was “only” picked 32nd. So the Golden Boy gets the more looks by default.

Steve Zipay is reporting that Marian Gaborik is nursing a sore groin (shocked?) and the Rangers have recalled Mats Zuccarello from the AHL. MZA has been dynamite in the AHL so far with 24 points in 32 games. If put on a scoring line, he could make it difficult to be sent back down. We’ll see…

Josh Bailey has been recalled. If he plays a single NHL game he would have to clear waivers to be sent back down, so he’s up for good. He had 17 points in 11 AHL games and I think he’ll make a big impact at the NHL level now that the confidence is back in spades. Your buy-low window is open now, but it won’t be open for long.

I’ve scratched and clawed my way up to sole possession of eighth place in the DobberHockey expert’s league. I mean – six weeks ago I had 35 points and was dead last (12th). Today I have 52 points and in eighth. Key moves: Pavelec and Shattenkirk off the wire. Kovalchuk, Brassard and Eberle traded for Heatley. Recent moves: got Sergei Kostitsyn off the wire and Wayne Simmonds is finally rolling, Marc Savard off IR. I just won Jason Demers with my bid this morning – yes, he’s pointless in four games, but I made the bid when it was only two games. He’s seeing PP time, so I’m certain he’s an upgrade to Seidenberg. Can I win this thing? No. Not because the deficit was too much – never give up. But because the top team is so strong. Ryan Ma has 105 points – a 14-point lead over Jason “Frozen Pool” Arbuthnot. In third place with 81.5 is John Ireton, who won his way up from the Entry Tier – a proven winner. Ian Fergusson is next (81), Van Horne is fifth (79.5), another Pro Tier graduate Jim Hooper is next (66) and then Angus is at 54 in seventh. But I do think second is attainable and I embrace the challenge. Nothing makes a league enjoyable like your back against a wall.

Alexander Semin was pointless in his return to the lineup. He played with Ovechkin and Backstrom.

Mathieu Perreault has seen his ice time slowly get reduced over the course of the past four games. He sits around 12:30 now, but still sees some secondary PP time. He played with Knuble and Laich.

Interesting thing I stumbled on. According to this, DobberHockey.com traffic is on par with the websites of NHL teams. Nice!

Give Fleischmann and Duchene stars of the week and they follow up with a brutal effort. Midway through the third period they were each minus-3.

Nathan Gerbe has put forth a strong performance of late and has three points in three games to show for it. Probably won’t get rolling this year, so one-year leaguers stay clear. But Keeper leaguers – he’s a must.

Tyler Ennis has seven points in his last nine contests.

Is 40-year-old Selanne going to retire next summer? The guy is still elite. He has 31 points in his last 26 games.

Craig Rivet played in his first game in a month, as the team scratched Chris Butler. Rivet scored, so perhaps he has earned more starts. He was a plus-2 with three shots and the team won. If he’s in again, and he should be, he may help you if you are desperate for a temporary No.6 rearguard.

I told you Tobias Enstrom was back in his hot zone again…

Anthony Stewart has seven points in his last four games. I don’t ever remember writing a prospect off with such certainty and then have this happen after so long.

As hot as the Thrashers are, Alexander Burmistrov has just one point in his last eight games and is a minus-4 in that span.

Dustin Brown, with four last night, has 15 points in his last nine games. He’s close to a point per game and I think he’ll clear 65. His upside is low 70s (and I’ve taken my share of abuse for stating that in the past).

Marco Sturm played 11:42 and did not get on the ice for the PP as the team eases him in. He played with Ponikarovsky and Lewis.

Carey Price – brutal game. Five goals allowed on 17 shots. He has lost four of his last five starts has given up at least three goals per game. His stellar stats are starting to tumble. He’ll right the ship with the Habs do. Or maybe the Habs will when he does…chicken and the egg?

Andrei Kostitsyn was a healthy scratch. He is another guy who always responds to those, so watch for it next game.

Tampa has recalled Johan Harju from Norfolk to replace Ryan Malone. Since Malone is out for a couple of weeks, perhaps Harju could get you some depth offense during that time. If wingers are hard to come by.

With a strong performance last night, Antero Niittymaki has won four straight contests and has allowed just one even-strength goal in each of his last three games. He’s on pace for 30 wins which is about where I think he’ll end up.

Benn Ferriero played last game on a line with Heatley and Thornton.

The “big line” though would seem to be Couture with Marleau and Clowe. Couture is red hot with 21 points in his last 23 games.

In his last four starts, Henrik Karlsson has not allowed more than two goals – the team in front of him just isn’t scoring though, so his record is 1-1-2 in that span.

Chris Kuc reports that Viktor Stalberg (concussion) is ready to go tonight. Kane and Hossa will sit until after the break.

Rick DiPietro has been placed on IR with swelling in his knee. Do you need smelling salts?

Nathan Lawson has earned another look between the pipes for the Isles and I know of tons of fantasy teams without any stable goaltending at all. Here is another Band-Aid suggestion for you.

Patrik Berglund left last night’s contest with an upper body injury. No word on the extent of the injury.

Calgary has signed prospect Ryan Howse to a ELC. He has 39 points in 32 games for Chilliwack of the WHL

Hornqvist and Rinne will be in the NSH lineup tonight. Not sure if Rinne gets the start though.

Subban vs. Sutherby:

Jason Blake hits Kaleta from behind: