Wednesday's Daily Dosage - Byfuglien, Ovechkin, Hagelin...

Big night for Big Buff Dustin Byfuglien as he had an assist, two PIMs, three hits & 12 (!) shots... holy moly. He's second in the entire league with 97 shots so far, trailing only James Neal's 104. Ignore that he's on pace to crack 50 points again, 100+ PIMs & 300+ shots for a dman is the stuff of fantasy legend.

Interesting to see how new Caps coach Dale Hunter distributed the TOI last night... it was spread pretty evenly with John Carlson playing the most (23:39) and the majority of the forwards between 14-17 minutes. Alex Ovechkin saw less than 17 minutes and Alexander Semin only 14 minutes but the Caps had a total of 0:20 on the PP so that would explain why the ice-time was down a little. I wouldn't get too worked up about this, as I don't expect Hunter to let Ovechkin rot on the bench, so this is likely just a feeling out process. Btw, Troy Brouwer retained his spot on the top line with Ovie & Backstrom and Mathieu Perreault was a healthy scratch.

Rangers rookie Carl Hagelin with a nice assist last night to go along with six shots in just 11:50. He has a point in each of his three NHL games for 1+2=3 & plus-3.

Two goals for the Sens Zack Smith and he's really stepping up this year by playing significant minutes and has been chipping in with 4+2=6 & plus-5 over his last seven games. That and he's on pace for 120+ PIMs, takes draws, hits... does a little of everything really.

Jaroslav Halak got the start after three strong Elliott outings and Halak beat the Caps by stopping 18 of 19. So again, the Blues are just the death of scoring chances as they only allow the Caps 19 shots! My recommendation: Grab as many Blues goalies as you can find! Mike Liut & Greg Millen might not be bad adds at this point.

Jose Theodore stopped 26/27 for the win last night and he's 7-2-3, 2.14 & .930 over his last 12 games. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in any of those 12 so he's been real steady.

Another brilliant performance for Cory Schneider as he stopped 47 of 48 for his fifth straight win (started the last six in a row). He's rocking the 0.80 gaa & .976 sv% during the win streak.

Two points last night extends Ryan Kesler's point streak to five games (3+4=7).

Someone once said... if the horse is running, ride it. That's what I'm doing with Pascal Dupuis right now as I added him last week in one league and he scored again last night giving him 3+5=8, plus-5 & 22 shots over his last six games.

Henrik Lundqvist has wins in eight of this last nine now and is a 1.88 & .937 in nine November games.

Brad Richards with 1+2=3 last night and 3+3=6 over his last three.

Al Montoya with back-to-back wins and he's allowed just four goals over his past three starts. His numbers on the season are pretty sparkling (2.06 & .933 through nine games), I have to admit.

Things are rolling for my boy Evander Kane as he scored twice on seven shots last night to give him 7+2=9 & 36 shots over his last seven games.

Blake Wheeler scored his second goal of the year and that gives him 2+4=6 in his last six.

Jochen Hecht is getting his turn on the top line with Vanek & Pominville and he's now scored in back-to-back games. I doubt this will last and he's not seeing any PP time anyway.

Carolina claimed Andreas Nodl off waivers from Philly and he was in the lineup last night but only played 7:41 in Kirk Muller's debut behind the bench.

Jamie McBain was the odd man out as he was a healthy scratch last night after playing 24 minutes in Maurice's final game on Saturday... not a good sign.

Colorado has placed Joakim Lindstrom on waivers as last year's SEL scoring leader couldn't really cut it so we'll see if he wants to tough it out in the AHL or head back to Europe.

The Sharks have demoted Justin Braun as he's been a frequent scratch lately.

The Preds have called up Kyle Wilson from Milwaukee.