Week 12 (Dec. 21-27)

Teams playing four games: Buffalo, Chicago, N.Y. Islanders, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Toronto
Teams playing three games: Anaheim, Atlanta, Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, N.Y. Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Vancouver
Teams playing two games: Calgary, Detroit, New Jersey, Washington
Teams playing one game: Los Angeles

Atlantic Division

New Jersey Devils: Zach Parise has no goals in his last eight games and Travis Zajac has scored once in seven outings, so coach Jacques Lemaire opted to split them up. Parise is on a line with Rob Niedermayer and Vladimir Zharkov, while Zajac is centering Brian Rolston and Niclas Bergfors ... Speaking of Zharkov, the Russian rookie has five assists in nine games since his recall from the minors. He had six goals and 20 points in 22 games for Lowell (AHL). The 2006 third-round pick is developing in his second season of North American hockey and might have a roster spot to keep in the NHL if he keeps up his current pace ... Patrik Elias has four goals in his last four games and 16 points in 18 appearances since coming off injured reserve.
N.Y. Islanders: Goalie Rick DiPietro's return to the NHL has once again been delayed after suffering a setback in his rehab. Don't activate him for Week 12 ... Inconsistent forward Jeff Tambellini is back in coach Scott Gordon's doghouse. He has been a healthy scratch for four games and has only one score in his last 14 games after a four-game stretch in which he had six goals, including his first career hat trick ... Kyle Okposo is in an even bigger slump with no goals in 15 games. However, he has nine assists in that span, including four games with two helpers.
N.Y. Rangers: Coach John Tortorella sent a message to his players on Thursday by benching veterans Wade Redden and Ales Kotalik, who have been mired in slumps for weeks. The Rangers responded with a 5-2 victory, meaning Redden and Kotalik might stay in the press box until New York cools off ... Another lineup change was demoting center Chris Drury to the fourth line. He responded with his first goal in 20 games ... Forward Ryan Callahan is breaking out of an early-season slump. He has scored six times in his last 10 games after netting only three goals in his first 24 appearances. Remember, Callahan had a career-high 22 goals in 2008-09 and had a ton of success down the stretch last season after Tortorella took over behind the bench.
Philadelphia Flyers: Simon Gagne returned to the lineup on Saturday against the Rangers after recovering from late October groin surgery. He can be a high-end Fantasy option when healthy ... Philadelphia has claimed goalie Michael Leighton off waivers from Carolina. It will be interesting to see how much he plays for his former Hurricanes coach, Peter Laviolette ... The coaching change in Philly seems to be working for blueliner Matt Carle, who has an assist in five of his last six games. He had only two points in his previous six 16 contests.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Defenseman Kris Letang has no goals and four assists in nine games since returning from a shoulder injury ... Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has 10 wins in his last 13 appearances.
Favorable matchup: Philadelphia (FLA, @TB, @CAR, @NYI). The Flyers have totaled only seven goals in their last five games, but it is lining up in Week 12 for them to have a potential breakout run. Every team they face is in the bottom 10 for defense, allowing 2.88 or more goals per contest. Also, Philadelphia has already faced each team at least once this season and is averaging 3.50 or more goals per contest.
Unfavorable matchup: New Jersey (@PIT, @WAS). Aside from playing only twice in Week 12, the Devils face two teams in the top half for defense. Pittsburgh is allowing only 2.57 goals per game (9th) and Washington has a 2.74 GAA (13th).

Most added players this week
Player % Change
1. Dan Sexton, RW, ANA 16
2. Matt Stajan, C, TOR 13
3. Andrei Kostitsyn, LW, MON 13
4. Francois Beauchemin, D, TOR 12
5. Stephen Weiss, C, FLA 11
6. Keith Yandle, D, PHO 11
7. Martin Erat, RW, NSH 10
8. Todd Bertuzzi, RW, DET 10
9. Jimmy Howard, G, DET 9
10. Mason Raymond, LW, VAN 9

Northeast Division

Boston Bruins: Defenseman Dennis Wideman (undisclosed) is day to day and an injury risk start for Week 12 since Boston doesn't return home until Wednesday. Wideman is not on the team's current three-game road trip ... Hoping to find suitable wingers to play alongside Marc Savard, coach Claude Julien has elevated Marco Sturm and Michael Ryder to the top line after Blake Wheeler and Byron Bitz couldn't get the job done. Savard played mostly with Milan Lucic (injured) and Phil Kessel (traded to Toronto) last season.
Buffalo Sabres: Center Derek Roy has taken the team lead with 25 points, passing Tim Connolly (23 points). Although, he hasn't been as effective the last month as he was through the first few weeks of the season. Roy has only three goals and eight assists in his last 15 games.
Montreal Canadiens: Defenseman Andrei Markov returned to the lineup on Saturday against the Islanders after being out since the opener with an ankle laceration. Markov was expected to initially be sidelined until February, but he made a speedy recovery, aided by the fact he wants to play in the Olympics in late February ... Defenseman Roman Hamrlik, however, is now day to day with a knee injury. He helped pick up the offensive slack in Markov's absence ... Brian Gionta, who has been out since Nov. 3 with a broken foot, is skating on his own but isn't expected back until January.
Ottawa Senators: Jason Spezza's season took a turn for the worst when he banged up his knee on Monday against Toronto. He is out 6-8 weeks with a torn MCL and is not expected back until March. A back injury already limited Spezza's production and this is surely a season he would like to forget ... Jesse Winchester has been elevated from the fourth line to replace Spezza on the top line between Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson ... Defenseman Chris Campoli has come out of the press box to act as a fourth-line forward with Ottawa dealing with a slew of injured forwards ... Injured goalie Pascal Leclaire (cheekbone) is back at practice and is targeting a Wednesday return against the Penguins. However, there is still some risk involved with starting a rusty Leclaire.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Goalie Jonas Gustavsson is back from his second heart procedure and will once again battle Vesa Toskala for time in net ... Matt Stajan has moved into second on the team with 28 points and trails only Tomas Kaberle, who has 31 points. Stajan has eight goals and 21 points in his last 22 games.
Favorable matchup: Montreal (@ATL, @CAR, @TOR). The Canadiens have had their issues scoring on the road this season (2.13 GFA), but their Week 12 schedule appears tailor made for them to increase their production. They face the two worst defenses in the NHL -- Toronto (3.53 GAA) and Carolina (3.55) -- and Atlanta is also slipping down the rankings, allowing 2.94 goals per game (23rd).
Unfavorable matchup: Ottawa (BOS, @PIT, @BUF). The Senators are going to have to find ways to win games without one of their best players in Spezza, and they will be tested immediately in Week 12. Boston, Buffalo and Pittsburgh are in the top 10 for defense, allowing 2.57 goals or fewer per game.

Southeast Division

Hurc's top sleepers for Week 12
Player Start %
1. Tuomo Ruutu, C, Hurricanes 24
2. Brian Boucher, G, Flyers 29
3. Keith Yandle, D, Coyotes 35
4. Vaclav Prospal, C, Rangers 61
5. Scottie Upshall, LW, Coyotes 7
6. Kyle Quincey, D, Avalanche 57
7. Johan Hedberg, G, Thrashers 21
8. Andrei Kostitsyn, RW, Canadiens 33
9. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Flyers 38
10. Mason Raymond, LW, Canucks 27

Atlanta Thrashers: Coach John Anderson chose to put two of his slumping scorers together -- Maxim Afinogenov and Rich Peverley -- and the move paid off on Thursday against Dallas. Afinogenov had his first goal in nine games, and Peverley scored twice to end a goal drought that lasted nine contests.
Carolina Hurricanes: With Erik Cole sidelined with an upper-body injury, Tuomo Ruutu has moved to the top line with Eric Staal and Ray Whitney. He responded in a positive way on Wednesday against the Stars with a hat trick. He has been one of the few Hurricanes to be playing well as of late. Ruutu has eight goals and eight assists in his last 16 games ... The Hurricanes are dangling defenseman Aaron Ward. They put him on waivers this week but found no takers. Perhaps some playoff-bound team will take on the veteran blueliner later in the season.
Florida Panthers: The Panthers are targeting a Dec. 27 return for injured forward Cory Stillman (knee). However, he is still too risky of a start for Week 12 ... Center Stephen Weiss has 12 goals and 24 points in his last 19 games ... Nathan Horton has three goals and six assists during a four-game point streak. He has totaled 24 points (eight goals) in his last 23 games.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Alex Tanguay was a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Predators before returning to the lineup on Thursday against the Red Wings. He played on a line with Vincent Lecavalier and Jeff Halpern, but he still couldn't snap his goal-less streak, which reached 14 games... Ryan Malone has scored only once in his last 12 games after scoring 15 times in his first 22 appearances.
Washington Capitals: Goalie Semyon Varlamov (groin) participated in his first full practice on Friday since injuring himself on Dec. 7. He didn't feel any pain, but felt a twinge and had to back off. He doesn't consider it a severe setback and still hopes to return by Wednesday. Clearly, he is still an injury-risk start for the upcoming scoring period ... Mike Green was able to play on Friday against the Canucks after getting leveled on Tuesday against the Avalanche. Keep him active for Week 12 ... Tomas Fleischmann has four multi-goal games in 2009-10 and 13 goals in 23 games since his activation off injured reserve.
Favorable matchup: Atlanta (MON, @BOS, @TB). The Thrashers face three foes in Week 12 they have played at least once in 2009-10. Atlanta is averaging 3.00 or more goals per contest against each team.
Unfavorable matchup: TWashington (BUF, NJ). There aren't going to be many times when you bench your Washington skaters, but with only two games in Week 12 and facing two of the top three defenses in the NHL, you might consider it. Washington is also averaging only 1.00 goal per game against Buffalo in two contests and 2.00 goals against New Jersey in three games.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks: Defenseman Cam Barker was able to stay in the lineup on Friday against the Bruins after leaving Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury. Still, Barker is slumping with no points in his last nine games ... Right wing Marian Hossa has had no troubles with his surgically-repaired shoulder. He has five goals and 10 points in 10 games since making his Chicago debut ... Patrick Kane suffered a nasty gash above his eye on Dec. 13 against Tampa Bay. Luckily, he didn't miss any time and tallied three helpers on Wednesday against the Blues. It's safe to keep him active.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Defenseman Anton Stralman has four goals and 14 assists in 33 games, putting him on pace for 41 points. The franchise record for points by a defenseman is 45, set by Jaroslav Spacek in 2002-03. The Blue Jackets really lucked out by picking up Stralman in a minor trade with Calgary earlier this year ... Derick Brassard, who was dropped to the fourth line a few weeks ago, could be moving back up the depth chart. He has played some as of late on the second line with R.J. Umberger and Jakub Voracek.
Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings can't seem to catch a break. Already down a handful of stars to injury, Detroit suffered their most devastating loss on Thursday against the Lightning as Henrik Zetterberg went down with a shoulder injury. He will be out at least two weeks ... Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson went down earlier in the week with a knee injury and will be sidelined indefinitely ... Todd Bertuzzi seems at home on a scoring line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom. He has five goals in his last four games.
Nashville Predators: Checking-line center Marcel Goc has been a surprising outlet for offense as of late. He has seven points (four goals) in his last 13 games ... Patric Hornqvist has scored in three straight games and has five goals in his last six appearances ... David Legwand has seven goals and 19 points in his last 22 games.
St. Louis Blues: David Perron still leads the Blues with nine goals, but he hasn't scored in 12 games. It just goes to show you how much the Blues are struggling on offense.
Favorable matchup: Detroit (CHI, CLB). The Central Division schedule is so tough during Week 12 that the only team with two games actually has a favorable slate. Detroit has defeated each opponent in their only previous matchup. Detroit knocked off Chicago, 3-2, on Oct. 8 and then routed Columbus, 9-1, on Nov. 11.
Unfavorable matchup: Nashville (@VAN, CHI, @CHI). The Predators don't have a pretty schedule ahead in Week 12. The face the NHL's best defense -- Chicago (2.00 GAA) -- twice and also likely will play against Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, who has allowed more than three goals only once in his last 15 appearances.

Northwest Division

Calgary Flames: Dustin Boyd has been elevated to the top line with Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla after spending much of the season as a fourth-line center ... Defenseman Dion Phaneuf had his first goal in 20 games on Thursday against the Kings. He opened the season with nine goals in his first five games and nine points in 11 appearances before settling into a major offensive slump ... Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has allowed more than three goals only twice in 30 appearances this season.
Colorado Avalanche: Milan Hejduk returned to the lineup on Saturday against the Blue Jackets after missing a few games with a knee injury. This problem has lingered over the last few weeks, so Hejduk might still be an injury-risk start until he proves he is 100 percent and productive ... Defenseman John-Michael Liles was benched in the third period of Tuesday's game against the Capitals after he was minus-3 through the first two periods. It just adds to his mounting problems as of late. Liles, who has also been dealing with some injuries, hasn't scored since Oct. 13.
Edmonton Oilers: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin received a cortisone shot to his ailing back, but the Oilers have no timetable for his return. Keep him reserved for Week 12. Jeff Deslauriers remains a viable No. 2 Fantasy goalie in Khabibulin's absence ... Robert Nilsson is turning a bad situation into a good one. After starting the year as a regular healthy scratch and then getting injured in November, Nilsson has been one of the team's hottest players the last few weeks. He has three goals and five assists in his last eight games for his best stretch of hockey in a long time. His hot stretch has landed him a promotion to the second line alongside Shawn Horcoff.
Minnesota Wild: Guillaume Latendresse seems at home with Minnesota since coming over in a trade from Montreal. The Wild are 9-2 since acquiring Latendresse, who also has three goals, one assist, 20 shots and 24 hits. Minnesota is also crediting Latendresse with helping jump start Martin Havlat's game. Havlat has two goals and five assists during a four-game point streak ... Center Mikko Koivu is not only providing a solid offensive presence for Minnesota, his defense is just as impressive. Koivu has been ever or better in 15 straight games (plus-14).
Vancouver Canucks: Defenseman Alexander Edler (shoulder) and forward Michael Grabner (ankle) are both back at practice. They could return before or during Week 12, but there is still some risk to starting them in the upcoming scoring period ... Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin both have eight-game point streaks to open December. Daniel has six goals, 13 points and a plus-7 rating in that span, while Henrik has one goal, 14 assists and a plus-5 rating.
Favorable matchup: Vancouver (NSH, EDM, @CGY). The Canucks wrap up an eight-game homestand in Week 12. They are averaging 3.44 goals per game (2nd) at the General Motors Place and could get off to a nice start in the upcoming scoring period. Vancouver is also averaging 3.00 or more goals against Edmonton and Calgary.
Unfavorable matchup: Edmonton (STL, @MIN, @VAN). The Oilers take on the 10th (Vancouver), 11th (St. Louis) and 12th (Minnesota) best defenses in Week 12. They are also averaging only 1.67 goals per game in three games against Vancouver this season.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks: Joffrey Lupul needs back surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks. He will likely return after the Olympic break ... Defenseman Scott Niedermayer dropped to minus-10 after a minus-3 performance on Thursday against the Sharks. Niedermayer has never finished a double-digit minus player, but he has been below even his last two seasons ... Bobby Ryan has two goals and five assists during a modest five-game point streak.
Dallas Stars: Defenseman Trevor Daley has landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and is not a recommended start for Week 12 ... Defenseman Stephane Robidas scored twice on the power play Thursday against the Thrashers to push his team lead to seven man-advantage scores. Robidas has already tied his career-high of nine goals and is on pace for a career-high 21 goals and 52 points. Although, we aren't sure if Robidas will maintain that pace.
Los Angeles Kings: Ryan Smyth, who has been out since Nov. 16 with a rib injury, came off injured reserve on Friday and should return to the lineup on Dec. 26 against the Coyotes. Now is the time to start adding Smyth in Fantasy. Defensemen Jack Johnson (ankle) and Randy Jones (neck), as well as forward Jarret Stoll (groin) are also expected to play against Phoenix.
Phoenix Coyotes: Veteran forward Shane Doan played in his 1,000th NHL game on Thursday against the Blue Jackets. While he enjoyed the career milestone with a victory, Doan hasn't really thrived in his first season under coach Dave Tippett. He has only nine points in his last 22 contests and was a better option for Fantasy purposes when the Coyotes struggled under Wayne Gretzky ... Defenseman Keith Yandle has had a pretty solid first year playing for Tippett. He has been on his game since early November. Yandle has four goals, 12 points and a plus-8 rating in his last 22 contests.
San Jose Sharks: Defenseman Jason Demers has returned from Worcester of the AHL and played in a pairing with Kent Huskins on Thursday against the Ducks ... Forward Devin Setoguchi had his first goal in 11 games on Thursday. It was also his first score in eight games since returning from a nagging leg injury. Setoguchi scored after being promoted to the top line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He scored a majority of his 31 goals last season playing with those two forwards ... Thornton had four points against the Ducks, and now has four goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in three games against Anaheim this season. Thornton also has points in 14 of his last 15 games (four goals, 21 assists) ... Defenseman Dan Boyle didn't miss a game after suffering an undisclosed injury Dec. 12 against the Coyotes. He extended his point streak to five games on Thursday, so feel free to keep him active for Week 12.
Favorable matchup: Phoenix (CLB, ANA, LA). Much like the Central Division, the Pacific Division has a tough slate of games in Week 12. The Coyotes, however, get the nod with the favorable matchup as all three of their opponents are in the bottom half for defense, allowing 2.84 or more goals per game.
Unfavorable matchup: Anaheim (@COL, @PHO, @SJ). Picking Los Angeles would be the easy way out since they have only one game, but you were probably going to sit your Kings' skaters anyway. Therefore, Anaheim is the runner-up as they face three times in the top half for defense, allowing 2.78 or fewer goals per contest. Anaheim is also averaging only 2.40 goals per game on the road (20th), and 2.67 or fewer goals against Phoenix and San Jose.

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