Not sure any other player needed this more than Eric Staal. He had 2 goals and an assist including the winner on the PP in OT. This came on the heels of six straight games with no points. We'll see if he can use this as a springboard to salvage his season. He's still an unsightly minus-21.

Zac Dalpe, in his 2nd game after being called up, skated on a line with Eric Staal last night and turned in a nice performance. He had 1+1=2, plus-1, 2 PIM. He only played 11:39 including 1:55 on the PP. Coming into the season, it looked like Dalpe was ready to play and produce in the NHL. Things didn't go so well leading him to be sent down, but he may have a renewed confidence this time around. Keep an eye on him.

After a disappointing November (just 1+4=5), John Tavares has enjoyed a much more productive December. His 1+1=2 last night gives him 4+9=13 for the month of December (13 games). I thought he was a lock for 80 points coming into this season, but he hasn't been quite that.

Crazy stat that I just noticed. Mark Streit hasn't had an even strength point since he scored a goal on November 17th. That's about 20 games. This could help explain why he's a minus-15 on the season.

Nice line for Taylor Hall last night as he put up 1+1=2, plus-2, 2 PIM, and 5 shots and he doesn't want 2011 to end.

Another nice stat line from the same game was Mikko Koivu with 1+1=2, plus-2, 4 PIM, 2 shots, 2 hits, and 12 FOW. Probably the stat line of the night.

Shocker of the night as Marek Zidlicky had three primary assists. He hadn't had a point in his nine previous games, so I wouldn't run to the wire and grab him just yet.

Matt Kassian managed to compile 20 PIMs in just 2:12 of ice time. Impressive. He pummeled Darcy Hordichuk twice and took home the game's #1 star.

Henrik Sedin gave you 1+2=3 and he's on pace for a very healthy 105 points this season.

Jonas Hiller's disappointing season continued last night as he was pulled in the 2nd period after yielding 4 goals on 16 shots.

Raphael Diaz with his second consecutive multi-assist effort with 2 assists last night.

Nikolai Khabibulin has remembered that he's Nikolai Khabibulin the last two games. He was yanked after letting in 4 goals in two periods last night. Devan Dubnyk stopped all 8 shots he saw in the 3rd so I'd say he'll get the next start.

Chris Mason threw a shutout last night, stopping all 31 shots that the Kings threw at him. He's got nice stats with 5-2-0, a .927 sv%, and 1.91 gaa, but Ondrej Pavelec doesn't sit out many games.

Evander Kane scored the game's only goal in OT. He had 1 goal, 4 PIM, 5 shots, 4 blocks, and 7 hits last night. Talk about a star in the making.

Rick Nash with two goals last night and it's hard to believe that he's only got 12 on the season.

Gabriel Landeskog with 1+1=2 including the game winner in the 3rd. The kids a gamer.

AHL Recalls: Jimmy Hayes, Gustav Nyquist, Evan Oberg, Patrice Cormier.

AHL Returns: Brandon Pirri, Alexander Urbom, Tim Erixon