It was a light night last night and yet both games went right down to the last minute even second.  When you get right down to the heart of the matter, the goalies shined last night as there were a combined four goals scored in the two games.  I guess maybe defense, at times, is not dead after all.  Either that or certain teams were determined not to get blitzed out of the building so to speak.  Either way, let’s take a quick look back.

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A LOOK BACK:

Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, New Jersey Devils — Kovalchuk now has his jersey number for goals on the season but more importantly was integral in both Devils goals last night.  He scored shorthanded (see video above) and then set up Zach Parise for the game winner in overtime for the 2-1 win.  Kovalchuk is out “back at level” with 38 points (17 G 21 A) in 38 games.  Sure the -10 scares the living daylights out of fantasy owners but you have to keep feeding the guy the ice time because he is a difference maker on the ice.  The Devils do not play until Saturday so Kovalchuk fantasy owners hang tight.

Tomas Vokoun, G, Washington Capitals — Just do not ask Vokoun to handle a puck, maybe ever.  We counted at least five times last night where Vokoun nearly gave a goal away just by trying to make a play on the puck.  However, his goaltending overall was very good as he made 30 saves in the 1-0 shutout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Last night’s game was almost expected as both teams looked tight and determined not to give up a bunch of high quality scoring chances.  When there were breakdowns, Vokoun’s pads were there.  It just might get Vokoun on another good “fantasy run” which owners need.  That consistency is key to his fantasy future.  At least the potential is there.

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SCHEDULE TIME:

When you look at this schedule tonight, it is pretty well a full composite for fantasy teams.  This simply means most fantasy lineups should look pretty full.  Strength vs. strength in a sense almost similar to Tuesday or even what it will be on Saturday.

Thanks to Ian Gooding, we have the Pick Six today.  Please read this and take some good notes.  Tomorrow with the lighter schedule, we are going to grade some of these picks as well.

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PICK SIX:

There are 11 games on the schedule for Thursday, including a matchup that will perhaps make the Boston Bruins forget all about those evil Vancouver Canucks.

If you’re like me, then you’re probably growing weary of the hair-pulling and name calling that is still going on between Boston and Vancouver players, coaches, general managers, and media. I mean, this game took place last Saturday. It’s just Game 42 on the schedule. Let it go, okay? How has your fantasy team been doing in the meantime?

Milan Lucic, LW, BOS – start
Here the matchup I hinted at: Boston vs. Montreal – no further explanation needed. With no pesky Brad Marchand for the Big Bad Bruins, somebody has to wreak havoc. Fresh off a (rescinded) game misconduct against one hated rival in Vancouver, Lucic faces another possible slobberknocker against Montreal. If you need penalty minutes and perhaps a goal or two, you know what to do.

David Krejci, C, BOS – add/start
After a slow start, Krejci has taken over as the most reliable scoring option for the Bruins. He is currently riding a nine-game point streak with goals in three consecutive games before Tuesday’s game against Winnipeg. I was lucky enough to add him in two shallower leagues that I play in, and you should do the same if you happen to play in one of those leagues too. Krejci is available in about one-third of Yahoo leagues.

P.K. Subban, D, MON – add/start
Whenever Montreal plays Boston, P.K. always seems to be right in the middle of things, as evidenced by 27 penalty minutes in 10 career games vs. Boston. His 17 points in 40 games is unimpressive, just like the Habs’ entire team this season. However, if there is ever a game that you would add or start him, this would be the one.

Kyle Turris, C, OTT – add/start
Turris still has yet to justify the third overall pick that was used on him. However, a change of scenery seems to have revitalized him. As a Senator, Turris has eight points (1g-7a) in 11 games – a very good total for a team that is playing better than expected. His +8 is also a nice surprise, but that number could also be inflated by the fact that he has no power-play points. Since Turris was a highly touted prospect at one time (and perhaps still is), it is time to add him in deeper leagues.

Blake Wheeler, RW, WPG – add/start
With a goal against Boston on Tuesday, Wheeler has points in eight of his last nine games and has vaulted into the Jets’ scoring lead with 32 points. There may not be much scoring punch in the Peg besides Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien, but the numbers on the former first-round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes (how ironic) are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Saku Koivu, C, ANA – add/start
Just nine percent owned in Yahoo leagues, Koivu has posted back-to-back three-point games, including a hat trick against Dallas on Tuesday. Playing alongside fellow Finn Teemu Selanne seems to help, as Selanne recorded helpers on two of Koivu’s goals on Tuesday. It’s never a bad idea to add players when they are red-hot, and Koivu’s point-per-game totals (24 points in 33 games) aren’t that bad. The Ducks have to be better than their 26th-ranked offense this season.

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Thanks again and good luck hockey fans.  Remember, tonight’s key is to keep your categories level to set up for Friday and the weekend.  We will be on Twitter once again to monitor injuries, performance, and more so keep an eye out.

With back to back to back light schedules this week, it has been a pretty easy column to be honest.  Tonight is no exception as there are only three contests but that Philadelphia Vs. Buffalo games looks like tons of fun.  Also there is the inevitable question of whether the Toronto Maple Leafs can keep their hot streak going against the New Jersey Devils.  Finally, Phoenix and Colorado wrap up the night.  Colorado only has one win at home by the way so Phoenix has a shot here.

We learned last night that Jonas Hiller still has an awful time at tracking pucks.  Two early Washington goals eventually paved the way for two late goals and a 5-4 OT loss that probably should have been two points for Anaheim.  It ruined a really nice night for a couple players in that game so let us take a look back at what happened last night.

A LOOK BACK……..

Teemu Selanne, F, Anaheim Ducks — He is in his 40’s and looking like he is in his late 20’s.  Selanne had two goals and two assists.  Despite the loss in OT, him and that second line looked like it was leisurely skating around the Capitals’ second line like it was a morning skate.  What you have to like about Selanne is his ability to see the ice and take what is given as opposed to waiting.  There is usually little hesitation which means more fantasy opportunities for guys like Saku Koivu, almost more than even Bobby Ryan, who has suffered more with the Selanne return than anyone.

Nicklas Backstrom, F, Washington Capitals — Well what a way to make your presence felt than to convert two in close opportunities when the game is absolutely on the line.  The Caps were staring zero points in the face when Backstrom tied it in the closing seconds then won it in Overtime.  Considering the two performances and the ATOI, it was interesting that our first two choices were relatively well rested.  By the way, Selanne played 18:38 and Backstrom played 17:56 last night.  Clearly one does not need to log 20, 25, or 30 minutes to make an impact and these two are game changers in fantasy hockey no question.

Josh Harding, G, Minnesota Wild — Maybe Harding should just consider playing against Detroit only but for whatever the reason, Harding has Detroit’s number as he made 36 saves again in a 2-1 OT win over Detroit at Joe Louis Arena last night.  It was just not the amount of saves but the seeming ability to almost control the game from his end of the night which ultimately led to the Koivu equalizer and the Setoguchi gamewinner.  The backup in Minnesota has always had the talent to be the starter but obviously health problems have slowed him down.  While he needs to build up his games slowly, Harding has fantasy relevance and GM’s should take note.

SCHEDULE TIME:

With only three games on the schedule, there really is not as much to pay attention to as tomorrow where there will be ten games in all.  However, we do have something tonight to at least get the fantasy appetites wet (at least a bit).

MANY HAPPY RETURNS……

Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils — Barring a last minute change, the goalie will be making his return tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Leafs traditionally give Brodeur a bit of trouble but the shoulder is healed, not repaired (keep an eye on this).  He has missed the last six games with the shoulder injury and Johan Hedberg was solid in net for the most part.  Clearly there is some apprehension amongst fantasy experts and GM’s alike on Brodeur and at this point no one blames them.  The best bet is to wait a start before putting him in but if you are desperate enough, there is no time like the present.

OUR EYES ARE ON…….

Philly And Buffalo — If anyone remembers the playoff matchup last year, this one should not disappoint.  Ville Leino has been put on the top line for Buffalo with Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek.  Pominville have 14 and 15 points respectively while Leino has 1 goal and 1 assist on 5 SOG.  His ice time has been reduced and that has not worked so to the first line he goes.  It appears that Ilya Bryzgalov and Ryan Miller are your goalies tonight and yes the game is on Versus as well.  Now if you add in the Claude Giroux-Jaromir Jagr-Scotty Hartnell line along with everything else and you have yourself one hell of a clash all in one game.  One also has a lot of famtasy ramifications all mixed in as well.  This is one that will be talked about tomorrow surely.

Semyon Varlamov, G, Colorado Avalanche — Okay this probably was not the player you were expecting but the last line of defense is in net and the Avalanche have only one win at home this year.  The Pepsi Center is not a very intimidating place to play early on for whatever reason and Varlamov has to improve at home.  So does the team really but despite his good numbers at home he is 1-3 which is the bottom line because of the timing of the goals he gives up at home that he does not give up on the road.  That does sound strange I know but Colorado just needs to get to three and that should be good enough tonight for Varlamov.

Good luck with your fantasy leagues tonight as we have The Program at 8pm ET, an appearance on the Sports City Chefs, and Whats Brewin In Football at 10pm ET all on Blog Talk Radio.  As always we will be live tweeting tonight’s fantasy commentary as always.