Fantasy Hockey Scouts: Daily Dosage - Dec 7th, 2009

Dosage Express
Howard putting the pressure on... buy low on Lidstrom... Spezza still awful... Niemi well positioned... Ovechkin to return... Trotz tells it like it is  

Daily Diarrhea   

Jimmy Howard was pretty awesome yesterday stopping 28 of 29 to beat the Rangers.  Coach Babcock was impressed enough to proclaim that he's going back with Jimmy in the Wings next game on Wednesday.  That will be starts in seven of the past 10 for Howard and its not like Osgood is hurt right now, he's just getting outplayed as Ozzie has lost his last five starts.

Two points last night for Nicklas Lidstrom and might this be a sign that he's finally coming around this year?  He's still only on pace for two goals and 30 points and you have to be wondering if his age (39) is finally catching up with him?  We've doubted this guy before and that's been a mistake, so we think he'll turn this around.  One thing to remember about Liddy is that his production tends to go up in the 2nd half of the year, his career numbers indicate that and individually in three of the past four seasons its increased.  His two highest scoring months (by points-per-game) over his career are February and March.... so buy low now.

Jason Spezza had two points last night but it still only gives him 2+4=6 in his last 15 games and for all the talk that he's not shooting enough (he's on pace for 200+ shots) its the points (on pace for 9+43=52) and PIMs (on pace for 24 after 79 last year) that worry us.

For all the hype that Corey Perry's been getting over his scoring streak and fine play this year, some may be surprised that Ryan Getzlaf is only a point behind him for the team lead in scoring.  He's been just as hot over the last little while with 5+12=17 in his last 12 games and is on track for another big season as he's on pace for close to 100 points, 80 PIMs and 180 shots. 

The Hawks Coach Q on Antti Niemi's fine start to the year (5-1-1, 1.71, .931):

"(Niemi) earns a lot of consideration for more ice time," Quenneville said. "We like tough decisions like that."

This is one that's worth watching as all it could take is Huet getting injured or going into a slump for Niemi to be at the controls of one of the powerhouses of the league. [more]

The Leafs have sent Christian Hanson back down to the AHL, he wasn't able to make much of an impression with only a single assist in six NHL games.

Going the opposite way on the AHL shuttle is Oscar Moller as he's been called up by the Kings and after 18 points in 25 games to lead Manchester in scoring, he'll probably be given an opportunity to spark the Kings attack, which has gone a little soft lately.

Injury Updates (see our Injury Updates page for a consolidated list of injuries):  

Here's a new one for ya... the Leafs called up goalie Andrew Engelage cause they didn't want the brittle Vesa Toskala to participate in their skills competition yesterday... Toskala should be ok to play tonight.

Alex Ovechkin is expected to return from his suspension and knee injury tonight.

Cam Ward is expected to return on Wednesday from his lacerated leg injury... heads up Manny Legace owners.

Dennis Wideman left Saturday's game with a UBI injury, no word on the extent yet.  

Returning to action from the injured list last night was: Brian Rafalski.     

Daily Distraction 

What's distracting us today?  Great quote the other day from Nashville coach Barry Trotz regarding hot-shot rookie Colin Wilson's comment recently that his assignment/demotion to the AHL would only be short term if he played up to his capabilities...

"I sort of cringed at the statement, 'if I go down there and play my game, I'll be right back.' Well, he doesn't really decide that. His play decides that … That's a little on the arrogant side for a young guy"

Wilson has only two assists in seven games in the AHL so it sounds like Barry's comments may have gotten to him.