Dose: Marian Hossa will be OK

Yet another Saturday with a ton of (exciting) action, so let's get right to the recaps.

BLACKHAWKS 7, OILERS 1

— The Blackhawks entered 13th in goals per game at 2.74. After Saturday’s outburst, they are now eighth with nearly 3. Only four players were left off the score sheet.

— Marian Hossa led the way with four points, scoring once and assisting three teams. He should be a trade target for everyone. After 20 games, he has 15 points, but just three goals. There’s nothing in his game that hints at a decline here. He’s been unlucky in that regard, shooting just 5.1% on 59 shots, which is way down from his career rate of 12.7%.

Don’t forget, for everything NHL, check out Rotoworld's Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_ HK and @jhascup22 on Twitter.

— Jonathan Toews (two), Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane (plus an assist) also got goals. Toews is ticketed for his third-30 goal season and he might top the 80-point mark for the first time, too. Chicago had all the offensive weapons working in this one.

— The silver lining for the Oilers was that they stuck with the Blackhawks five-on-five. It was a different case on the power play, where Chicago scored four goals.

— Neither Ben Scrivens (five goals on 13 shots) nor Viktor Fasth (two goals on 17 shots) are viable starting NHL goaltenders. That’s not good for a team that’s trying to become legitimate again. The Oilers have dropped six games in a row.

BLUES 3, SENATORS 2

— Whether you are a stay-at-home blueliner or a checking-line forward, everyone likes to contribute on the score sheet. Jay Bouwmeester is neither, but he has been performing like them when it comes to offense. After Saturday’s assist, he has two points in 20 games this season, and he has not been great defensively. He also suffered a lower-body injury. It’s time to cut bait.

Don't forget to join a Yahoo Hockey pool. It’s not too late.

— In case it isn’t clear by now, Vladimir Tarasenko has freakish offensive skills. He had a goal on six shots, good for 12 goals and 23 points on the season. His 79 shots are third in the league. Tarasenko is dangerous whenever he has the puck. Alexander Steen (goal) now has four goals and 12 points this season.There was little chance he’d repeat last year’s 33 goals, but he should remain very productive.

— Erik Karlsson scored, and he’s now on a three-game point streak. Those expecting a near-point-per game pace have been disappointed with 14 in 19 games. There is no reason to panic. The offense runs through him, and the points will be there at season's end.

— I am a fan of Mika Zibanejad, but he’s a good reminder of how young players develop — often in stops and starts as they gain more ice time and become consistent in all areas of the ice. Zibanejad, 21, had 20 points in 42 games in 2012-13, 33 in 69 games last year and now has four goals and seven points this season. He is going to be a very good player, he's just not there yet.

CANADIENS 2, BRUINS 0

— It’s hard to peg down just how good the Canadiens are. There are some red flags (such as a middling Corsi%), but with an East-leading 33 points, there can’t be many complaints right now. I’m not fully sold yet.

— Veterans Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov got the goals. Plekanec is off to one of the best starts of his career, with eight goals and 17 points in 22 games. His career highs are 29 and 69, respectively. He’s not really a flashy name, but he deserves to be owned across the board.

— What is wrong with Loui Eriksson? With the Stars, this was a player who’d easily get 25 goals and around 70 points. He had 29 points in 48 games during the 2012-13 season before being dealt to Boston, and has had just 13 goals and 48 points in 83 games with the Bruins. After five shots on goal Saturday, he has 41 in 22 games. That’s not really a sign offense is on the way.

—Tuukka Rask has a 2.36 goals-against average and .915 save percentage after giving up two on 23 shots. He had given up one over two wins prior to this one. Those rate stats are with a team that’s been at less than 100% for much of the season, remember that.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, RED WINGS 1

— The Leafs had lost three games in a row, two of which came in embarrassing/pathetic/humiliating fashion. They now have two commanding (by the scoreboard) wins in a row, against the Lightning and Red Wings. They’ve made small improvements this season, but the main issue remains: a lack of puck possession (46 attempts to 35 in favor of Detroit on five-on-five).

— Tyler Bozak (two goals) continues to produce when he’s in the lineup. For fantasy purposes, you need to make sure you have capable center depth because he has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the years.

— Leo Komarov has been a more engaged player since he’s come back to the Leafs from the KHL. After his goal, he has two goals and 14 points this season.

— Tomas Tatar’s goal extended his points streak to five games. He’s one of those players whom the Red Wings marinated in the minors for seemingly forever, but it’s been good for his development. He’s only 23 and definitely has a nose for the net.

— The Red Wings needed more from Jimmy Howard (three goals on 27 shots). More importantly, he has bounced back from an “off” year. He remains one of the more underrated goalies in the league.

LIGHTNING 2, WILD 1

— Anton Stralman (two assists) gained notice last season with the Rangers, as he proved he is a bonafide shutdown defenseman. Stralman has shown more assertiveness on offense this year: His 12 points are one off of last season’s total. He’s easily going to post a career-best season on offense.

— Sure Steven Stamkos scored, but he does that almost every night. Alex Killorn also got one, and he has goals in four straight. Just another important piece to the Lightning’s insane forward depth.

— Zach Parise has quietly put together a strong start to the season, with Saturday’s goal giving him seven and 13 points. He’s primed for his first 30-goal season since 2011-12.

— Darcy Kuemper (26 saves) might have lost, but he been superb lately. Two or fewer goals in his past three starts.

— Saturday was one of the few times Minnesota has been on the wrong side of the possession numbers. At 11-8-0, it’s been a slow start, but they entered the game with close to a 55% Corsi.

ISLANDERS 4, PENGUINS 1

— In case you needed confirmation, these Islanders are for real, and boy are they fun to watch. For once, John Tavares (goal) has a strong supporting cast, from top to bottom. Matt Martin’s goal was the fifth in six games for the Isles’ fourth line, according to Stephen Lorenzo of the NY Daily News.

— Brock Nelson (power-play goal) continues to produce. There’s a lot of skepticism as to whether he can sustain this (19 points in 20 games). As long as he’s getting shots (54), I don’t see why he won’t be a big factor all year.

— Jaroslav Halak is on a six-game winning streak. He made 27 saves Saturday. Entering the year the expectation was he’d provide at least average rate stats and pile up wins. He’s done just that and then some. The Slovak has a 2.42 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. I like him as an under-the-radar number-one in fantasy leagues.

— Evgeni Malkin scored, but the Isles completed the weekend sweep of the Penguins by shutting down the Penguins’ captain. Sidney Crosby had just one shot on goal after getting none Friday. Crosby has one goal over his last 11 games. His eight goals are 21st in the league, and his points still slot him at 26th. There’s really no reason to worry.

FLYERS 4, BLUE JACKETS 2

— Claude Giroux recorded two assists in the win, but there’s something else I want to point out. Giroux has 24 points this season, but only six goals. He is second in the league with 89 shots. His 6.7% scoring rate is five percent lower than his career average. When that corrects, Giroux is in store for a monster season.

— Is there anyone who provides a better net-front presence than Wayne Simmonds? He makes a living right around the net and Saturday’s goal was no different. His offensive ability coupled with the edge he plays with makes him an excellent fantasy forward.

— Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four goals on 37 shots. Suffice to say, this season — 2.95 goals-against, .911 save percentage — is not the encore to the Vezina he envisioned. Even with the Blue Jackets’ struggles, you need to stay the course with Bobrovsky.

SABRES 2, CAPITALS 1

— Here’s hoping the Sabres took Jhonas Enroth out for a nice DC dinner after his performance: 43 saves on 44 shots, a perfect 41-for-41 during even-strength play. He’s given up one goal in each of his past two starts. These types of one-man efforts are the only way Buffalo will win this season, sadly.

— Matt Moulson (goal) is starting to heat up, with points — six of his nine — in four of his last five games. He’s not in a situation conducive for offense, but could be worth gambling on in the short-term.

— Matt Niskanen scored his first goal as a Capital, via the power play. When the Capitals signed him to a seven-year, $40.25 million deal in the offseason, they did not expect six points over the first 20 games. At least I hope not. His four shots on goal are great, but overall, 24 over 20 games do not hint at much promise there just yet.

— Braden Holtby (24 saves) lost, but he’s playing some great hockey right now. The 25-year-old has gone nearly the entire month of November (six starts) without giving up more than two goals. Don’t get too down on him for the lack of wins (seven).

— Mike Green left with an upper-body injury. You know the story with him: Highly productive when he's in the lineup. The when is always the big question mark. He has 12 points this season.

PREDATORS 3, PANTHERS 2 (shootout)

— Colin Wilson and Matt Cullen got the goals during regulation, and Filip Forsberg scored the only goal in the shootout. The first two are not really worth considering in fantasy leagues, but Forsberg looks like an absolute force when he’s on. Sure, no goals or assists, but he fired a whopping nine shots on goal. A good sign after getting just two shots over his last three games.

— Roberto Luongo played out of his mind (44 saves) but the Panthers just couldn’t generate enough offense. Luongo seemed assured of a regulation loss before two late Panthers goals. His .926 save percentage ranks him sixth in the league in that department.

— Nick Bjugstad got the second, his seventh of the season — Rocco Grimaldi scored his first career goal — of the Panthers’ goals. He seems to be getting comfortable on the offensive side of things in his second full season. He has points in four straight games, with five goals and eight points during that span. Now’s the time to get ahead of the crowd and scoop him up if you have room.

STARS 5, KINGS 4

— The Stars did everything in their power to lose this game after jumping out to a 4-0 lead by 3:57 of the second period. From that point forward, the ice was tilted in the Kings’ favor and the Stars could barely get the puck out of their zone, let alone sustain an attack. There continues to be major issues outside of the top forwards at controlling the pace.

— Jamie Benn (two goals, assist) has points in three straight, and Tyler Seguin (goal) now leads the league with 15 goals. An incredible first-line duo.

— Jason Demers had quite the eventful debut with the Stars. He had a power play goal, a big hip check on Jarret Stoll and three shots on net. He also lost his man on the fourth Kings goal. He’s got a little more of a mobile/offensive side to his game than Brenden Dillon, but he’s not nearly the same defender.

— As general manager Jim Nill seeks to rectify he’s team’s problem on defense and in holding onto pucks, he’s tried to get a little more quicker on defense. John Klingberg, a rookie, has been given a chance ever since Sergei Gonchar was traded to the Candiens, and all he’s done is look like a seasoned veteran. In his seven games, he has two goals and six points. He played 22:59 on Saturday and looks very confident with the puck.

— Justin Williams (two goals) was due to break out eventually. He continues to be a key cog in the possession game, and had not been rewarded for his shots on net (60 now). A 20-goal, 50 point season is within reach.

— A lousy first period was basically all that cost Jonathan Quick (18 saves) in this game. Can’t give up three goals in a period, let alone the first. The loss snaps a streak of seven games in which he helped the Kings notch at least one point.

AVALANCHE 4, HURRICANES 3

— In a matchup of two teams trying to lift themselves from the cellar, the Hurricanes knocked out the Avalanche’s starting goalie (Reto Berra) in the first period and still wind up losing after blowing a 3-1 lead.

— Reading the tea leaves, it appears Semyon Varlamov is very close to returning. They need him. Berra gave up three goals on 10 shots and was pulled at 16:50. Calvin Pickard blocked all 17 he faced, so he could get he next start if Varlmov is still out just based on the fact coaches tend to reward performances like this.

— Zach Redmond (two), Jarome Iginla and Erik Johnson all scored. Iginla has not really been a factor this year with just three goals and nine assists. He’s the type of player where you have to trust the resume. Even at 37, better days should be ahead.

— Andrej Nestrasil was claimed off waivers Thursday from the Red Wings, then went out and scored his first NHL goal in his first game with his new team. Pretty cool. Coming from the Red Wings organization, you have to assume he’s going to be a solid NHL player. The offensive side appears limited, though.

— Has Cam Ward’s recent struggles opened up an opportunity for Anton Khudobin? I think so. Ward gave up four goals on 27 shots. He’s now allowed 11 over his last three games and has one win over his last five. It’s not like Khudobin has been all that great, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the backup get the start Wednesday against the Panthers.

FLAMES 5, DEVILS 4 (shootout)

— If the Devils want to be a playoff team, they need to go out and get a backup goalie. Sure, Scott Clemmensen’s night doesn’t look all that bad on paper — 33 saves on 37 shots. But he gave up three goals on nine third-period shots, with one coming at 17:38 of the third and the game-tying goal with five seconds remaining. It was some of the shoddiest goaltending I have seen. He was all over the place. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cory Schneider get the next 20 starts, either.

— Jiri Hudler quietly goes about his business in putting up points. After a goal and an assist, he has seven goals and 17 points this season. He still trails Mark Giordano (assist) by six points for the team lead, though.

— The Flames are competitive now, but in the last season of his deal, Curtis Glencross (two goals) could be on the move come trade-deadline day.

— Michael Cammalleri (goal) has performed at the pace the Devils hoped for when they signed him to add some scoring punch to a team lacking it. He has eight goals and 12 points. Adam Henrique (goal, assist), Travis Zajac and Tuomo Ruuto picked up the other markers.

COYOTES 4, SHARKS 3 (shootout)

— Do we have a goaltending controversy in Arizona? Perhaps it’d be one if Mike Smith was performing up to his standards. As it stands, Devan Dubnyk (40 saves) is clearly the team’s best option in net. He has a 2.34 goals-against average and .926 save percentage with four wins in a row. Too often, though, playing time is dictated by the paycheck.

— The Coyotes do not look like a very good team this year. Antoine Vermette figures to not last the season in Arizona, as he’s in the last year of his contract. He has five goals and 14 points and would be coveted as a top-six center.

— Joe Pavelski continues to put up points. His goal was his ninth, and he now has 19 points. He hasn’t gone more than two games without a point.

— Tommy Wingels, on the other hand, started the year on fire, then went cold. He went 10 games without a goal before Saturday. I know many went out and grabbed him during his early-season hot streak, but there was always reason to question whether it would last.