This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
So I was looking through some hockey stats, as one does for fun. You know, checking on how rookies are doing and so on. Then, I noticed that ESPN had a "Major Penalties" category could click on. I found this kind of odd. It felt archaic, from a bygone era when people were interested in major penalties, and by major penalties I of course mean fighting majors. Indeed, when I clicked on "Major Penalties" it didn't load up ranking the players by majors, which is a subcategory, but by fighting majors. Looking at the list further only elucidates my point about the oddness of this category being highlighted.
Only 27 players have more than one fighting major, and only 11 have more than two. Two guys have five to lead the league. I honestly don't think I've heard of either of them. Cody McLoed is slightly familiar, but I am sure I don't remember seeing the name Andy Andreoff before.
What's also notable is that only one of the players with more than one fighting major isn't a roster hanger on. That would be Jonathan Toews, who has two. In short, fighting is not just becoming increasingly rare, but is becoming increasingly the province of players who have nothing else to offer.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Canucks (Ryan Miller) at Jets (Ondrej Pavelec), 7:30 PM
Capitals (Braden Holtby) at Red Wings (Jimmy Howard), 8:00 PM
Blackhawks (Corey Crawford) at Oilers (Cam Talbot), 9:30 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Canucks
Alex Burrows, RW (personal) – Expected to play
Brandon Prust, LW (ankle) – About a week away from returning
Luca Sbisa, D (ankle) – Return date unknown
Brandon Sutter, C (lower-body) – Did not play Monday, day-to-day
Jets
Grant Clitsome, D (back) – Out for season
Capitals
Brooks Orpik, D (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Red Wings
Landon Ferraro, RW (knee) – Hopes to return next week
Johan Franzen, RW (concussion) – On injured reserve
Kyle Quincey, D (ankle) – Out three months
Brad Richards, C (back) – Likely out a few weeks
Brendan Smith, D (illness) – Day-to-day
Blackhawks
Phillip Danault, C (hip) – Out indefinitely
Oilers
Jordan Eberle, RW (illness) – Did not practice Monday
Andrew Ference, D (concussion) – Out indefinitely
Luke Gazdic, LW (illness) – Did not practice Monday
Rob Klinkhammer, LW (lower-body) – On injured reserve
Lauri Korpikoski, LW (head) – On injured reserve
Connor McDavid, C (shoulder) – Out months
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C (illness) – Did not practice Monday
Justin Schultz, D (back) – Practicing, should return soon
Hot
Brent Burns, D, SAN – Burns added two assists to his points total on Tuesday, giving him four points in his last four games. He is a minus-3 in those games, to be fair, but he's also taken 15 shots in those games. This is a guy who has played forward in the past because of his offensive skills. However, now he gets to combine those offensive skills with over 26 minutes of ice time a night. The offense is always going to be there with Burns, and when he's on a nice streak there's always a good chance it will continue.
Brandon Saad, LW, CLM – Saad was considered a big get for the Blue Jackets before the season, a sign they were going all-in on making the playoffs. Then, you know, their disastrous start to the season happened. They've picked it up a bit, and Saad is part of that. He lit the lamp twice on Tuesday, and he now has a three game goal scoring streak, plus an assist in one of those games. Plus, despite the slow start, he's only a minus-2 now. Regression to the mean seemed inevitable for Saad and Columbus, and now patient fantasy owners can take advantage.
Cold
Jay Bouwmeester, D, STL – After a two-point game November 4, Bouwmeester has put up zero points in six straight games. He's also a minus-5 in that time, which has dropped him down to zero on the season in that regard. Bouwmeester is still playing a lot of minutes, and he's still getting shots on goal. A couple points should popup soon, but for now there is little reason for enthusiasm.
Nick Foligno, LW, CLM – While Saad has returned to form, Foligno has not been able to replicate the numbers he put up last season, and he has not been a part of any improvement for the Jackets. He has two assists in his last 10 games, but no goals, and he has only one goal on the season overall. Foligno is also a minus-6 in his last five games. He's only gotten one shot on goal in his last two games, and that's not going to help him turn things around anytime soon.
Recommended Pickup
Artem Anisimov, C, CHI – Anisimov has been around a bit, despite only being 27, but that's in part because he is one of those talents a team wants to have, but isn't so good that teams won't consider moving on from him. Last year was a little rough for him, he only has seven goals in 52 games, but the year before he had 22 on 162 shots. Now, he is playing with Chicago, so he's in his prime, and he has better teammates around him. That's paid off so far, as he has seven goals and 12 points in 18 games, and he's also a plus-7. He's also playing more minutes than ever, so the move to the Blackhawks is really working out for him. It can work out for you, too.
