JONATHAN TOEWS
Chicago Blackhawks, C
Comment: Toews has returned from injury and is back in fine form. He has two goals and three assists in four games since his return.
DARCY TUCKER
Toronto Maple Leafs, LW
Comment: You can probably grab Tucker from the gutters of your league. He struggled for the entire first half with injuries and is now coming back strong, determined to prove those who think he's washed up wrong. Tucks has six goals in his last five games and is picking up steam.
NATHAN HORTON
Florida Panthers, RW
Comment: Horton has been on an absolute tear this Feb., notching eight goals and 11 points in nine games! Ride this wave out!
DION PHANEUF
Calgary Flames, D
Comment: The Big D is having a strong Feb., potting four goals and nine points in his last six games.
J.S. GIGUERE
Anaheim Ducks, G
Comment: Giggy has been a stud with only one regulation loss in Feb. That loss marked the only time he allowed more than two goals this month; he has only allowed more than one goal three times in seven games!
MIKE FISHER
Ottawa Senators, C
Comment: I know he's not expected to score but Fisher's still found on many fantasy teams, pivoting Ottawa's second line. The Sens acquired Cory Stillman but haven't been using him with Fisher much. He has only one point in his last eight contests. That might change if he gets Stillman the puck, but as of now Fisher only has value in the real world. That's not what we care about, right?
MIKE CAMMALLERI
Los Angeles Kings, LW
Comment: Streaky, streaky, streaky. Short term outlook: four points in his last seven games. Long term outlook: three goals and 14 points in his last 24 games.
BRAD BOYES
St. Louis Blues, RW
Comment: Big Bad Brad Boyes only has one goal / point in his last six contests. Feb. has not been a good month, so here's to hoping he's back to normal from this point onwards.
MICHAL ROZSIVAL
New York Islanders, D
Comment: After leading defensemen in scoring for a portion of the season, Rozsival has imitated his teammates and gone scoreless in his last six games, posting only three points in his last 18.
CHRIS OSGOOD
Detroit Red Wings, G
Comment: Ozzy's been causing some pain with fantasy owners this Feb. His play could end up hurting him down the stretch run because they might go with Hasek instead. He has lost five straight and allowed three or more goals in each of those losses. This is not what we've been seeing all year from the Good one.
MARC SAVARD
Boston Bruins, C
Comment: The Savardian one is an absolute beast on the road (41 points in 21 games) and will be facing some questionable defense and goaltending in Carolina, Tampa and Florida. Vokoun in Florida may pose a problem but his defense won't help him any.
ERIC STAAL
Carolina Hurricanes, C
Comment: Like the injury to Sidney Crosby helped Evgeni Malkin, the season-ender for Rod Brind'Amour will help Eric Staal. It pretty well spells the end of Carolina's playoff hopes but now Staal gets the added minutes and offensive responsibility, and I fully expect him to run with it. He plays great games against Atlanta (seven in four this year) and is about a point-per-game against Boston and Washington.
MILAN MICHALEK
San Jose Sharks, LW
Comment: Like the rest of his team, Michalek likes to play on the road. He should have a good week in the East taking feeds from Big Joe Thornton and putting them in the net. Cheechoo is heating up, making this line even more potent.
PAUL KARIYA
St. Louis Blues, LW
Comment: He is only average on the road but he comes up big against his opponents. The best way to get out of a funk is to play some teams you enjoy scoring against. Expect Los Angeles and Anaheim to be some good fantasy matchups.
PETR SYKORA
Pittsburgh Penguins, RW
Comment: Malkin has another week or two to call this team his own in Crosby's absence. He's been making everyone else better, including this guy. A busy week ahead is nothing but good news when you surround Evgeni Malkin. Sykora has been the recipient as of late and will continue this week.
JAMIE LANGENBRUNNER
New Jersey Devils, RW
Comment: Langer's on a point per game pace over his last 12 games. He isn't a goal machine (four goals in that 12 game span) but he's been pumping out the assists and keeping a steady plus / minus. A busy, solid week will do nothing but keep this pace up.
MAREK ZIDLICKY
Nashville Predators, D
Comment: Zidlicky shines at home (22 points opposed to 12) and is almost a point per game against his Western Conference rivals. Go with this!
BRAYDON COBURN
Philadelphia Flyers, D
Comment: His return from injury came with a goal and an assist. He's got a solid chance to keep up the pace if the rest of his team follows suit.
RICK DIPIETRO
New York Islanders, G
Comment: The Islanders have decided to start scoring recently, making it easier for DeePee to win some games. He's got the skills on his own but needs some scoring from his team and now he's getting it. A busy week ahead will see good things for Ted Nolan's Island boys.
ILYA BRYZGALOV
Phoenix Coyotes, G
Comment: A busy week for a team desperately wanting in the playoffs. It's very likely Bryzgalov will see every start and make almost every stop.
SAKU KOIVU
Montreal Canadiens, C
Comment: Montreal's offense seems to stem from their second line. The top line offense is streaky at best and Captain Saku Koivu is one of the streakiest on this team. I expect a slow week from him as should you.
DEREK ROY
Buffalo Sabres, C
Comment: Roy is a streaky player who has been hot as of late. He's shown signs of cooling down over the last few games and I'm expecting a halt in production this week. He might get an assist against Tampa but will likely be stonewalled by Vesa Toskala and Henrik Lundqvist at the end of the week. Try again next time.
RICK NASH
Columbus Blue Jackets, LW
Comment: You'll be tempted to put him in your roster but I'm sure you can find a safer bet on your team this week. He's nothing special away from home and doesn't get the job done against his Eastern Conference opponents this week. Two goals in three career Ottawa contests are his best stats.
CHRISTOPHER HIGGINS
Montreal Canadiens, LW
Comment: He's so streaky and it makes you cringe. One minute he'll look like he's going to have a monster week and then he goes for nothin'. Higgins traditionally dissapears against the Rangers and Pitsburgh and I won't expect that to change this week.
MARIAN HOSSA
Colorado Avalanche, RW
Comment: He's hot, he's going up against the wounded Hurricanes but, I'm telling you, sit this one out. He MIGHT have a good game but the 'Canes will be playing for pride this week. Also, he cannot seem to get his game face on against the Maple Leafs (who are surging). I wouldn't hesistate on this one.
TEEMU SELANNE
Philadelphia Flyers, RW
Comment: Doug Weight is still expected out of the lineup and replacement Ryan Carter won't be feeding T-moo. Selanne might make Carter look better but that won't get you any reasonable fantasy points.
BRENT SEABROOK
Chicago Blackhawks, D
Comment: He's young, he's talented, he's been solid over his last week and just inked a steady contract. I smell bad news. Seabrook might turn out all right for fantasy owners this week but I'm doubting it. I see a bit of a contract hangover smack in the middle of a busy week. His plus / minus is likely what you have him for so don't expect goals and don't cringe if you see a slight drop in his rating this week. I warned you.
LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY
Los Angeles Kings, D
Comment: If you want your plus / minus to absolutely ruin your fantasy chances this week then by all means, start Lubo. He has a minus-6 rating against Phoenix alone this year and it doesn't get any better after that. Please, please take my advice. He isn't scoring enough to let this hurt you.
MARTIN BIRON
Philadelphia Flyers, G
Comment: I promise you one thing this week: Biron will begin his fight for the No. 1 spot again. He has four straight losses in a row and has allowed four or more goals in three of those four outings. If he even gets a start this week he'll likely be merc'd by some surging, potent offense (Ottawa, San Jose or Florida).
JOSE THEODORE
Colorado Avalanche, G
Comment: Stiff competition this week and no offense from his team is a recipe for disaster. Jose will likely kill your fantasy chances if you start him.
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League Editor.
