DEREK ROY
Buffalo Sabres, C
Comment: Buffalo has turned a corner in their season. Ryan Miller has returned to form, and the team is finally producing. Roy's led the charge this month with 11 points in eight games. He's been terrific, carrying a plus-8 rating over those eight games.
JOFFREY LUPUL
Philadelphia Flyers, LW
Comment: Lupul has two hat tricks over his last three games. He's hot this week, but his point production over the season hasn't been stellar. Keep in mind that those two hat trick games came against backup goaltenders on struggling teams. And nine of his 26 points have come in the last three games. Don't break the bank for him, but know that he will likely come on strong this next half.
DANY HEATLEY
Ottawa Senators, RW
Comment: Eight points in four games and three straight two-goal games? That's Dany Heatley for you. He's only been held pointless once (Dec. 5) since Nov. 17. Oh yeah, he's plus-9 in seven games this December (plus-27 on the season!). This should also be a terrific week for him, with games against Atlanta and Chicago.
SHELDON SOURAY
Edmonton Oilers, D
Comment: Souray is back and looks like he hasn't missed a beat. He's managed a point in all three games since his return on Dec. 11 with a goal and two assists. But the best part of all of this? He has an even rating! This won't be the norm, but you can expect the points to keep rolling in. Even though he isn't amazing in his own end, his mere presence will help keep Edmonton's goals allowed down.
MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF
Calgary Flames, G
Comment: Is he back? He's on a four game winning streak and his GAA is slowly coming back down to earth. The Flames have really started to shine this December and a lot of that is due to Kipper's better overall performance.
SIDNEY CROSBY
Pittsburgh Penguins, C
Comment: 95% of all NHLers wish that their best days could be half as good as Crosby's worst days. In his last five games, Sid the Kid has only one goal and two assists. The Penguins are struggling as a team right now but this iceberg won't last long. Expect him to heat right back up this week.
RICK NASH
Columbus Blue Jackets, LW
Comment: Nash is pointless in his last four games; he didn't even register a shot on goal on Dec 12. Again, like Sid, this cold front will pass soon.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Carolina Hurricanes, RW
Comment: The Hurricanes are in rough shape as of late, mostly due to the play of many of their star players. Williams falls into that category, now slipping into a four game pointless drought. In eight games through December, Williams has tallied four points (two two-assist games). He capped off November in similar fashion (pointless in five straight). It could be a cold winter for Williams owners.
JAROSLAV SPACEK
Buffalo Sabres, D
Comment: Spacek is getting back into a streaky rhythm again. He's had only one point in his last seven games. If he's unable to find the net when his whole team seems to be scoring, when will he find it?
CAM WARD
Carolina Hurricanes, G
Comment: I'm picking on the 'Canes this week. Ward has three straight losses and Carolina is letting in a LOT of goals. In that three game losing streak he's managed a 5.02 GAA! This is not the Conn Smyth winner we know.
JASON SPEZZA
Ottawa Senators, C
Comment: You should always start Spezza — that much should be a given — but you should especially start him this week. Make sure! Bruins, Thrashers, Rangers and Chicago will be great matchups for Spez. In his last 13 games he's amassed 25 points! Come on!
PAVEL DATSYUK
Detroit Red Wings, C
Comment: His points will always be good enough to keep him in your lineup but they will get a big boost this week leading into the Christmas break. The only big obstacle in Datsyuk's way will be the Minnesota Wild at the end of the week. Matchups in LA, Washington and St. Louis should all prove to be early Christmas gifts for fantasy owners.
BRENDEN MORROW
Dallas Stars, LW
Comment: Morrow is on a three game goal streak and a four game point streak (seven points in four games). The Stars Captain is leading by example and making sure that his team keeps winning and scoring going into the break.
RYAN SMYTH
Colorado Avalanche, LW
Comment: Captain Canada is finally back! He has 13 points in his last eight games and is really turning it on for December. The amazing thing? He's been doing it without Joe Sakic! Just imagine what will happen when Little Joe returns. Keep your eyes out for a very productive second half from Smitty.
ALEXEI KOVALEV
Montreal Canadiens, RW
Comment: You are catching him at the perfect time if you start him this week; he's on a personal four game point streak and the Canadiens seem to be getting their act together. This streak may just be starting if we take a look at the week ahead. He plays very well against Florida and is catching Atlanta at a terrific time, where the Thrashers have allowed 22 goals in their last four games. The matchup in Washington shouldn't be much different.
JAROME IGINLA
Calgary Flames, RW
Comment: Iggy has five goals and six points in his last three games. For December, he has eight goals in seven games. Iggy will be gunning for that Richard trophy again this season. Watch out Kovie and Ovie. He had a hat trick in a barnburner against Tampa (as did Huselius — all apologies for telling you to sit him last week!)
JOE CORVO
Ottawa Senators, D
Comment: Anton Volchenkov's injury has been the best thing to happen to Joe Corvo. He's receiving more icetime and has one goal and five assists in six contests. The production may drop when Volchenkov comes back but you won't have to worry about that for a while.
TOBIAS ENSTROM
Atlanta Thrashers, D
Comment: I'm still nuts about this guy. You MIGHT be able to still find him on your waivers. If so, pick him up for the love of God! He's getting ridiculous icetime from Don Waddell and is managing to stay consistent. He won't get you a point a game but check this: he managed to stay a plus-1 in a 7-3 drubbing against Ottawa last week. He was the only plus rating on his team! Any point he does get will likely be off that very potent powerplay unit, as well. At this time I see no downside. I'm blinded by the light.
JEAN-SEBASTIEN GIGUERE
Anaheim Ducks, G
Comment: I only need five syllables to explain to you why you should start Giggy: Scott Neid-er-mey-er. Not only will it be a literal boost to the defense but Neid's return gives the Ducks a big kick in the rear.
RYAN MILLER
Buffalo Sabres, G
Comment: Just like Kiprusoff, Miller seems to be back in the saddle. You won't have to worry about the Islanders too much. They are not the same team that defeated Miller twice earlier in the season and Miller isn't the same goalie. The tide is turning again. I'm telling you to start him but he WILL be going up against Philly in back to backs at the end of the week. However, notice how I'm not telling you to start any of Philly's big men? Let's put our faith in Miller this week.
SHAWN HORCOFF
Edmonton Oilers, C
Comment: So I'm telling you to sit Edmonton's best player. He's on a great run, playing his best hockey. Why?! Because he'll come down to earth soon enough and it's probably going to be the week before Christmas, the reason being matchups against Marty Turco and Marty Brodeur. He'll have a chance at a great game against Chicago but by the end of the week the Black Hawks will probably get their act together and the Bulin wall will once again stand strong.
MATTHEW LOMBARDI
Calgary Flames, C
Comment: Lombardi has only one assist in his last 10 games. Calgary is heating up but that doesn't mean that every player is following suit. Lombardi hasn't been in on much and aside from the top line unit there hasn't been much secondary scoring. Lombardi has been playing on the third line for a while now and Craig Conroy has taken over as the second line center so I don't see him as a viable fantasy option for anyone right now.
ALEX TANGUAY
Calgary Flames, LW
Comment: Let's pick on the Flames for a bit more. Tanguay has been dropped to the second line because Kristian Huselius heard what I said about him last week and kicked it up a notch. Playing alongside Owen Nolan and Craig Conroy is not the situation that Tanguay owners want.
PAUL KARIYA
St. Louis Blues, LW
Comment: I'm gonna tell you to sit him this week, but I have a feeling within the next three weeks I'll tell you to start him at least once. Andy McDonald might find his Selanne in Paul Kariya but not this week. He hasn't fared well against Detroit and their amazing defense. The schedule isn't very nice for St. Louis this week. After the Detroit game they have to travel to Boston and then fly back to St. Louis the next night to face Atlanta. Even though Atlanta is terrible lately, I have a feeling that all the traveling will catch up to Kariya just before Christmas. Atlanta might be able to use St. Louis as a way to feel good over their Christmas break.
J.P. DUMONT
Nashville Predators, RW
Comment: It is now officially a blizzard for Dumont. There is no cold streak here — full on icestorm. He hasn't notched a point all of December and is minus-4 for the month. Minnesota's tough defense and solid goaltending will not help him out. Also, the only game that could really be a good matchup (LA) is at home and for some reason Dumont doesn't shine in the Nashville.
BRIAN ROLSTON
Minnesota Wild, RW
Comment: Rolston is a very streaky player and considering the matchups he has this week (Detroit, Nasvhille and the Rangers) I would conclude that the production will drop. Nasvhille will be his only hope and they are just as streaky as Rolston.
JEAN-MICHAEL LILES
Colorado Avalanche, D
Comment: There are injury concerns here but that isn't the only reason I'm telling you to sit him. I'm not convinced that this recent patch of sunlight fantasy owners have been seeing from Liles is the way things will stay. I want to believe it but I have a feeling the production will be back to dismal this week. Keep an eye out for him, however, as he is day to day right now (another reason to keep him inactive).
ZDENO CHARA
Boston Bruins, D
Comment: Simply put, I think the bubble is going to burst this week in Boston. Alex Auld's terrific play is an aberration and Ottawa and Pittsburgh will prove that this week. I fully expect Zdeno to play well and muck it up but I have a bad feeling that his plus/minus will not be up to snuff.
JOHAN HOLMQVIST
Tampa Bay Lightning, G
Comment: Was anyone else worried that Coach John Tortorella was going to kill and eat one of his two goaltenders? Holmqvist probably sleeps with his eyes open. He has been BRUTAL lately, allowing 14 goals in his last four games. He only made two saves, allowing four goals against Calgary! Marc Denis hasn't faired any better for Tortorella so we can assume that Holmqvist will get the nod to start but Torts has a quick trigger finger and won't hesitate to pull him and sit him.
PETER BUDAJ
Colorado Avalanche, G
Comment: The fact that Budaj has only allowed one goal in his last two games is exactly why I'm telling you to sit him. He's due for a beat down. He's a good goalie but he's not that good. He'll get the next few starts and share the load with Theodore but the magic won't carry over into this week.
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League Editor.
