There seems to be a ton of discussion right now about whether the NHL should abolish the so-called loser point and reconstructed how many points are issued per game. I can remember the overtime point idea first being brought up during the 1980s. As a Vancouver Canucks fan, I was all in favor of the idea because the Canucks did not win many games, so I saw it as a way of keeping the Canucks closer to the teams they were usually chasing. So I can see why many fans seem to want to get rid of the idea.

I'd say if there's any way to open things up, increase average goals per game, and allow the more talented teams to win, then the NHL should try it. On the other hand, the advocates of the overtime point will argue that it keeps the standings more competitive. Sure, it incentivizes teams to lock it down late in a game. But how many teams do you think are entering the playoffs believing they have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup? Can you pick a winner for the Cup this year? Right now I have no idea which teams I will lean on in my playoff pool. And that could make things a lot of fun.

I'm not saying that the loser point should be kept. But I'm also a firm believer that in a debate, people need to look at both sides of an issue before proceeding with what seems to be the popular take. Would Gary Bettman really scrap the loser point if it meant that certain franchises struggled even more because of it, thus having an even more difficult time selling tickets?

*

I read an interesting article from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News about Kari Lehtonen's situation after this season. Heika suggests hypotheticals about the Stars either keeping or trading Lehtonen, who is under contract until 2017-18. I don't think a team like the Canucks or the Red Wings will go after Lehtonen, but there will be a few interested teams should the Stars make it known that Lehtonen is available.

For what it's worth, I don't think the Stars will go in a different direction in net next season. An easier fix will probably be to improve the defense during the offseason. But for a team that had designs on contending this season, the Stars have been absolutely brutal in team goaltending (3.19 GAA, 27^th overall, .893 SV%, 29^th overall).

Lehtonen himself has been just plain awful this week, allowing ten goals on 28 shots over a span of two games. It's a wonder that I'm currently winning my league final in one of my leagues with the kind of week he's had. But it's funny how he can be tied for eighth in wins in spite of what has otherwise been a mediocre season.

*

In spite of the first game of the Dustin Byfuglien suspension, the Jets were able to win an important game against Vancouver on Saturday. Jack Choros over at Today's Slapshot has an interesting take on what Byfuglien owners could do in this situation. There may still be some incentive to hang onto Byfuglien knowing that he will be back for the Jets' final game, which is shaping up to be a critical game against the Flames. But non-keeper leaguers know that at this time of year, it's simply all about getting warm bodies into a lineup.

*

It's not very often than an injured player will join his team in the middle of a road trip. But Ryan Miller did just that, sparking rumblings that he will be ready to return to the Canucks' lineup next week (Vancouver Sun).

Here's my theory: Miller doesn't seem to be 100 percent yet, and he may not be before the season ends. However, Eddie Lack has been worked to the bone, playing in 20 of 21 games since Miller went down. Because the Canucks don't appear to have much faith in Jacob Markstrom at the moment, Lack is probably feeling fatigued, which is showing in his recent performance (12 goals allowed over his last three games). The Canucks will likely start Lack until they nail down a playoff spot. Assuming they do so before the final game of the season, they would probably start Miller in that final game against Edmonton. Because Miller would need more time to shake off the rust, Lack should probably start the first game of the playoffs for the Canucks…

… of course I say this assuming they will make the playoffs. I've seen the Canucks collapse down the stretch more than once, so I'm not saying the playoffs are a certainty, even if others are. But in spite of their loss and wins by Winnipeg, Calgary, and Los Angeles on Saturday, they still have a 98.5 percent chance of getting into the playoffs, according to Sports Club Stats. Calgary currently sits at 78 percent, LA at 74 percent, and Winnipeg at 49 percent, in case you don't feel like clicking.

*

Pavel Datsyuk returned to the Red Wings' lineup on Saturday. Owning him in a fantasy league reminds me of owning Peter Forsberg during his last few seasons, although not quite as extreme. With Datsyuk, you know you'll receive point-per-game production. But you're always left holding your breath knowing the next injury is probably just around the corner.

*

Thanks to his hat trick on Saturday, Nick Foligno has now reached 30 goals and 70 points this season. Did you see this coming at all? I sure didn't. To put this into perspective, Foligno had never reached 20 goals or 50 points in a season prior to this one. You might be wondering if he has been fortunate this season with a much higher than normal shooting percentage, but his 17.5 shooting percentage is not much higher than his 16.2 shooting percentage from last season. The big difference is that Foligno is shooting a lot more: 171 shots on goal, much higher than his 111 shots last season.

*

Don't assume quite yet that no one on the Toronto Maple Leafs doesn't care anymore this season. James Reimer made 49 saves in the Leafs' 2-1 shootout loss. Not that I'm really interested fantasy-wise going forward.

I would normally say Reimer's stellar performance might go into the "that helps no one" file by now, but my opponent in one of my head-to-head leagues went ahead and grabbed him for Saturday. Kind of reminds me of another opponent who earned a bunch of points on me a couple weeks ago by starting Curtis McElhinney against Edmonton. You just never know with those backups.

*

Scraping way, way down the fantasy depth charts, I didn't know that John Scott had dual LW/D eligibility in Yahoo leagues. Huh. You learn something new every day. At least you know you'll get some penalty minutes if he somehow makes his way into the Sharks' lineup. And nuthin' else.

*

Tyler Johnson made his return to the Bolts' lineup on Saturday, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Hopefully you had him in your lineup. But it might not be such a bad thing if you dropped him already. The Lightning play only two games next week, so you may not get much mileage out of him anyway even if you held onto him.

*

More injury updates: The Predators became a whole lot healthier on Saturday, as Shea Weber, James Neal, and Matt Cullen all returned to the lineup. Neal recorded a goal and an assist in the Preds' 4-3 loss to Dallas.

Like many, I had Neal projected as a fantasy bust this season because of the move to Nashville. The Preds' scoring has been better than many expected, but Neal has struggled to just 37 points this season. Don't forget that he was a point-per-game player as recently as last season (61 points in 59 games).

*

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a beast. With two more goals on Saturday, he leads NHL defensemen with 23 goals this season. Meanwhile, this thread on the Forums on OEL seems to go on forever and ever and ever. Feel free to add your two cents worth.

*

In case you're staring at your league boxscore wondering why, Jonas Hiller did not get credited with a shutout on Saturday against Edmonton. Karri Ramo left the game 58 seconds into the first period with a lower-body injury (NHL.com), forcing Hiller into relief. But at this stage the Flames could put a cardboard cutout in net and they'd still hang around in the playoff race.

*

Austin Wallace has some underrated prospects that you might want to scoop. Take a look.

*

Finally, some Sunday starters, courtesy of GoaliePost:

Steve Mason vs. PIT: Both teams are playing their second of back-to-back games in the early NBC game. Expect everyone to be tired except for Mason, who backed up Ray Emery on Saturday. Even though they have been struggling recently, the Penguins could fire a lot of shots at Mason, which seems par for the course.

Petr Mrazek vs. WAS: Both teams will also be playing their second of back-to-backs. Jimmy Howard started Saturday's game against Minnesota. Both Wings' goalies have been struggling a little recently, but the Wings will attempt to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot. There's some risk in starting a Wings' goalie right now, but start/add Mrazek if you need to.

Jonathan Bernier vs. OTT: In spite of Reimer's strong performance on Saturday, I'm staying away from any Leafs goalie at the moment unless I'm truly desperate.

Jake Allen @ CHI: Brian Elliott has struggled recently, allowing five goals on Friday against Dallas in spite of earning a win. Ken Hitchcock could turn to Allen in a moment's notice if Elliott struggles. Allen has won three of his last five starts with a .936 save percentage over that span. Go ahead and click Add.