OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Pittsburgh, vs. New York Islanders, @ San Jose
Tired: None
Rested: None
Notes
The Senators dealt Jean-Gabriel Pageau to the Islanders and had a great return, as New York gave them a first and a second this season, as well as a third-rounder in 2022. They also dealt Tyler Ennis to Edmonton for a fifth rounder in 2021. Josh Norris (the first-round pick of San Jose and not the excellent Rotoworld writer) made his NHL debut on Saturday and is worth looking at, especially next season. The great story as far as the Senators are concerned this week, was the return of Bobby Ryan. Ryan was out 43 games as he has been battling an alcohol problem that he finally received help for, and in his first home game since returning, had the hat trick. Well done Bobby!
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
@ Washington, vs. Carolina, vs. Buffalo
Tired: vs. Carolina (Thursday)
Rested: None
Notes
The Flyers play three games in four nights this week. Look for Carter Hart to play twice with Brian Elliott getting the call once. The Flyers made a small trade in giving up T.J. Brennan for fellow minor-leaguer Nathan Noel but earlier picked up Derek Grant from Anaheim for minor-leaguer Kyle Criscuolo and a fourth-round pick in 2020. Philadelphia sent Joel Farabee to the minors and it appears that he will stay down for a bit barring any injuries on the big club. Kevin Hayes had a big game Tuesday with a pair of goals and an assist. He has four goals and six points in his last four contests. The Flyers are in third place in the ever-tough Metropolitan Division, one back of Pittsburgh but only five points ahead of ninth place Carolina.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, @ Buffalo, vs. Washington, vs. Carolina
Tired: None
Rested: None
Notes
The Penguins play three games in four nights as part of a four-game week. Expect to see Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry share the net this week. The Penguins went back to the well when they picked up former Penguin Conor Sheary, as well as Evan Rodrigues from Buffalo in exchange for Dominik Kahun. Pittsburgh added a great veteran presence as they got Patrick Marleau from San Jose for a third-round pick in 2021. Sheary is seeing first line time with Jason Zucker and Sidney Crosby while Marleau is on the left-side on the third line with Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev. Rodrigues is seeing fourth line duty alongside Dominik Simon and Jared McCann. Nick Bjugstad practiced Thursday, albeit in a non-contact jersey. He has been out since November 15 after undergoing core muscle surgery.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, @ New Jersey, @ Chicago
Tired: None
Rested: None
Notes
The Blues did nothing at the trade deadline but received great news in that Vladimir Tarasenko should be back in a few weeks. He has missed most of the season with a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery but having the star return for the playoffs, is a huge boost for the Blues. Jay Bouwmeester, on the other hand, is gone for the regular season and the playoffs as he is recovering from his cardiac episode a couple of weeks ago. We wish him the best of health and a speedy recovery. Alex Pietrangelo can become a UFA on July 1 but he is unlikely to sign before the Blues complete this season (and playoffs). The Blues are back on track and have won six in a row.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Toronto, vs. Minnesota, vs. Ottawa, vs. Colorado
Tired: vs. Colorado (Sunday)
Rested: None
Notes
The Sharks are home for all four games this week and they play three games in four nights so look for Aaron Dell to get three starts with the struggling Martin Jones seeing the crease once. The Sharks dealt veteran Patrick Marleau to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick in 2021 as well as dealing Barclay Goodrow and a third-round pick in June for a first rounder in 2020 as well as Anthony Greco. They made a big deal the previous week when they traded away Brenden Dillon. Logan Couture returned to the Sharks lineup this week and had the overtime winner Thursday. Couture was out seven weeks with a small fracture in his ankle. Only Evander Kane and Timo Meier have 20 or more goals this season, with Kane at 21 and Meier at 20.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Boston, vs. Montreal, @ Boston, @ Detroit
Tired: @ Detroit (Sunday)
Rested: None
Notes
The Lightning play four games this week as they finish a five-game home stand before going out on the road. They play three games in four nights so Curtis McElhinney will likely get one start with Andrei Vasilevskiy getting the other three. The Lightning gave up a first-round pick in 2020 and Anthony Greco in exchange for Barclay Goodrow and a third-round pick in June. With all their moves, including getting Blake Coleman the week before and adding free-agent Zach Bogosian, the Lightning look poised to make a deep run in the playoffs but after being so hot since Christmas, the Lightning have lost four in a row. Steven Stamkos is dealing again with the same lower-body injury that forced him to miss six games and missed Thursday’s game as well. He has a point in 15 straight games that he has played in, dating back to January 14 with 12 goals and 22 points in that span.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ San Jose, @ Los Angeles, @ Anaheim
Tired: @ Anaheim (Friday)
Rested: None
Notes
The Maple Leafs play all three games in California in four nights so Jack Campbell should get one start (likely against his former Los Angeles teammates on Thursday) with Frederik Andersen picking up the other two starts. Toronto made a small trade in re-acquiring Calle Rosen from Colorado, giving up Michael Hutchinson in return. The Maple Leafs were embarrassed Saturday as the Hurricanes completely shut them down, allowing emergency goaltender David Aryes to pick up the win. They have been looking like a different team ever since, beating Tampa Bay and Florida on the road. It may be the best thing that could have happened to them. Toronto lost defenseman Jake Muzzin for four weeks with a broken hand as their blueline has been decimated by injuries. Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci are also on the shelf. Zach Hyman banged in his 20th of the season Thursday while William Nylander has 29 goals and 57 points, just five points off a career-high.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. Arizona, vs. Colorado, vs. Columbus
Tired: None
Rested: vs. Columbus (Sunday)
Notes
The Canucks made a small trade Monday in acquiring Louis Domingue for Zane McIntyre in a trade of goaltenders. The Canucks needed a veteran backup as Jacob Markstrom is out at least a couple of more weeks with a lower-body injury that required a procedure to fix. Thatcher Demko will be the starter until Markstrom returns. Tyler Toffoli was picked up last week and he has four goals and six points in four games for the Canucks. J. T. Miller continues to have the best season in his career as he has 25 goals and 65 points in 63 games. He is on a four-game points streak with three goals and eight points. Bo Horvat had the Gordie Howe hat trick Saturday.
VEGAS
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, @ Winnipeg, @ Calgary
Tired: None
Rested: None
Notes
The Golden Knights made a nice trade Monday in picking up goaltender Robin Lehner from Chicago, giving up Malcolm Subban, Slava Demin and a second-round draft pick. Marc-Andre Fleury has been playing better of late, but Lehner was the William Jennings winner last season and if Fleury goes into another funk, Lehner will be there to give the Golden Knights plenty of confidence. Vegas also picked up Nick Cousins from Montreal for a fourth-round pick in 2021. They also acquired Martins Dzierkals from Toronto in the complicated Lehner trade with a fifth-rounder in 2020 going back to Toronto. The Golden Knights signed William Carrier to a four-year/$5.6 million contract. He has value in the hits category of fantasy. Nick Holden signed a two-year extension.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, @ New York Rangers, @ Pittsburgh
Tired: @ New York Rangers (Thursday)
Rested: None
Notes
The Capitals play three games in four nights this week so look for Braden Holtby to play twice with Ilya Samsonov playing once. The Capitals picked up Ilya Kovalchuk from the Canadiens for a third-round pick and that has to please his friend Alex Ovechkin. Washington acquired Daniel Sprong from Anaheim for Christian Djoos. Ovie became the eighth NHLer to get to the 700-goal mark in his career when he scored in a 3-2 loss to New Jersey on February 22. Ovechkin has 43 goals this season, third in the NHL behind David Pastrnak who has 46, and Auston Matthews at 44. John Carlson become the Washington Capitals all-time leading scorer on the blueline with his 475th point, moving ahead of Calle Johansson.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
vs. Buffalo, vs. Vegas
Tired: None
Rested: None
Notes
The Jets did nothing Monday at the trade deadline but did pick up Cody Eakin on the previous Friday for a conditional fourth-round pick going to Vegas. It will become a third-round pick if Eakin re-signs with Winnipeg or they make the playoffs. Sami Niku is out of action with a lower-body injury. Patrik Laine left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury but he is traveling with the team on its road trip. Mark Scheifele has a six-game points streak going with five goals and 11 points in that span. He has 70 points this season. Blake Wheeler had back-to-back 91 point seasons the last two years but needs 33 points in his last 16 games to reach that mark this season.
