Dose: Malkin a Difference

This Dose is a little tardy, so let’s jump right into it.

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PENGUINS 4, WILD 3

-- Evgeni Malkin was involved with all four of Pittsburgh's goals, scoring two and assisting on two more. His eventual game-winning goal featured a downright spectacular deke that you best track down in video form.

During this game, Malkin scored his 100th career power-play goal, accounting for more than one-third of his total career tallies of 270. He also generated a fourth GWG, matching his 2014-15 output.

While I get people mocking the idea of splitting Malkin and Sidney Crosby up on the PP, I also kind of understand the logic. Malkin seems at his best when he's The Guy, and they both need the puck - it's sort of like a basketball team with two superlative point guards - so it kind of makes sense.

But usually that comes down to over-thinking things.

-- Speaking of Crosby, this is now three straight games without a point, and he's currently a point-every-two-games guy (nine in 18). He showed a little bit of his vintage self by scrambling the Wild behind the red line during a memorable display, just to remind us that he's probably still great.

I would be tempted to float a trade offer to a frustrated Crosby owner, as he has to snap out of this at some point.

Right? I mean, he's 28, not 38.

-- If I were Mike Johnston, I'd think long and hard about putting Beau Bennett in Pascal Dupuis' spot. I'd also try to look less like a high school science teacher.

-- I feel like Mikael Granlund has been primed for a breakthrough for ages now, yet he's only 23. He's hot lately, with four of his nine points coming in a four-game span, including last night's one-goal, one-assist performance.

The kid needs to shoot the biscuit more, though. Just 21 SOG in 17 GP is absurd even if he's pass-first.

MAPLE LEAFS 5, AVALANCHE 1

-- Only Erik Johnson's goal was at even-strength, as five tallies came via special teams (four as PPG, one SHG from Leo Komarov). Pretty incredible stuff from Toronto's PP in particular, as they went 4-for-5.

-- P.A. Parenteau managed just two points in 10 October games, yet he now has seven points in nine November contests, including two PPG on Tuesday. His hot streak will cool enough that he's probably not worth much fantasy consideration - although Toronto may throw up their hands and realize he's one of their better options for all we know - but I loved the pickup this summer. He's one of those guys who's sneaky good, and he does have a 67-point season to his name.

-- James Reimer is so obviously carrying the Maple Leafs during this spurt of competence. You'll know that this team is full of stubborn people if they don't lean heavily on the guy who's red-hot instead of the guy who can't seem to win right now (Jonathan Bernier). Sometimes this stuff really is that simple.

-- Morgan Rielly broke out his funk, managing an even plus/minus and an assist.

STARS 3, SABRES 1

-- This continues to be the best start in Stars' franchise history, and they're technically on top of the NHL because they have the most wins (tied with the Rangers and Habs at 30 standings points). They're killing it on the road, too, which makes sense.

I have a theory that teams try to put on a bit more of a show for their home fans, so that might help Dallas get the tempo they crave.

Dopey? Yeah, but hey, it's more fun than thinking about how to fix scoring.

On that note: I'm going to TRY to be more positive about scoring, as it just seems like one of those things that isn't going to get better. Here's hoping more teams try to emulate the Stars, even if I realize that's a pipe dream.

-- Jason Spezza's goal stood as the GWG, giving him seven goals and 14 points in 19 games. I really like that he's firing the puck at a pretty good rate, as his passing skills would probably make facilitating tempting.

-- People thought it was really, really funny that Antti Niemi's jersey was spelled "Nieme." Hey, it's mid-November, right?

-- Valeri Nichushkin stands as one of those players who could make the Stars extra-scary if he can earn some more ice time.

SHARKS 5, BRUINS 4

-- Claude Julien was NOT happy with Boston's effort in this one, as they once had a 3-2 lead. Honestly, I think the Bruins are what they are, and just need to out-score their problems/hope Tuukka Rask can earn his money here and there.

The Bruins are now 2-5-0 in November while San Jose's won the first three games of its six-game road trip.

-- Both teams were really cooking on the power play, with San Jose going 2-for-5 and Boston going 2-for-3. I know a lot of people cringe at the idea of more whistles merely meaning that teams can at least score on special teams, but beggars can't be choosers.

-- Melker Karlsson is one of those guys who can easily slip under the radar, as he's only played in four games so far this season. He has three points, so if you're in an especially deep league, I don't see the harm in giving him a shot in hopes that Joe Thornton can Cheechoo him to success.

BLUE JACKETS 3, BLUES 1

-- Jori Lehtera was sent to the hospital after taking a high stick to the throat, so be sure to keep an eye out for updates. St. Louis has been hit with pretty tough injury luck to start the season.

-- Brandon Saad netted two goals for the Blue Jackets, who are now on a three-game winning streak. As of this writing, they're still at the bottom of the East with 14 standings points, seven behind final wild card holder New Jersey (who has a game in hand on Columbus).

Seven points might not sound like much, but they'll need to play outstanding hockey to chisel away at that gap as teams get charity points so easily.

Obviously, they don't just need to chase the Devils, either, as Florida and Tampa Bay in particular seem like a threat to jump into the top eight.

-- I like to call Vladimir Tarasenko “Autovladic” because of how steady he is with scoring, but he finally had a quiet night.

-- Colton Parayko couldn’t go in this one and is considered day-to-day.

-- It was only the third start in 10 games for Brian Elliott.

KINGS 3, FLYERS 2 (SO)

-- Shayne Gostisbehere picked up his first goal for the Flyers. He could be an interesting guy to keep tabs on, as he seems like he’ll get his chances on the power play.

-- With two assists in this game, Jakub Voracek now has four points in the past two contests, including his first goal of 2015-16. That accounts for almost half of his offense, as he has nine points in 18 games. Signs of life from Voracek?

-- Milan Lucic scored the late tying goal, giving him six tallies on the season and a three-game goal streak. He also has four goals in his last five games.

His shooting percentage indicates slippage, as he has connected on 25 percent of his shots. Still, he's one of those guys who can be especially streaky, so at least his confidence is picking up.

PREDATORS 3, DUCKS 2

-- People gravitate toward Nashville's iffy group of centers, but one thing that makes Nashville dangerous is that they can win in multiple ways.

Sometimes it's James Neal and Filip Forsberg making some magic, or a lesser-known but effective guy like Craig Smith taking over. OFten they're getting that extra push from their world-class scoring defense.

Other times Pekka Rinne reminds us that he's the elite goalie few people talk about on the elite team few people talk about.

Anaheim out-shot Nashville 40-21 but lost.

-- If that isn't a Ducks enough thing, consider the from-beyond-the-blueline goal Frederik Andersen allowed on an all-around tough night.

-- Miikka Salomaki scored, which is noteworthy in part because his name is a delight to say. Come on, say it out loud and try not to at least smirk.

FLAMES 3, DEVILS 2

-- The work we've seen from New Jersey's top scorers is quite the story, and Lee Stempniak and Mike Cammalleri continued to contribute with an assist apiece on Jordin Tootoo's PPG.

Still, this game seems like a red flag: just 20 SOG against Calgary? Hmmm.

-- Karri Ramo's won two of three to improve to 5-7-0. Next step: get that save percentage above .900. (He's at .898.)

In other words, yeah, he's pretty bad.

-- How worried should we be about Dougie Hamilton? I wonder if Calgary's suffering from any buyer's remorse; he has just five points in 20 games, including a mere assist in his past five contests.