Western Conference Final - Morning Papers

• The Stars return to Dallas and feel that home ice will be to their advantage. Mike Ribeiro will be available for the stars as he only received a fine for his slash on Chris Osgood. I thought that using your stick as a weapon warrants a suspension. If it was Chris Simon there would be some major suspensions handed out. The NHL can't punish the star players, especially in the playoffs.
• Jean-Jacques Taylor is not overlooking Detroits powerful defense that has held Morrow-Lehtinen-Ribeiro to only three points in two games. The Stars need to find a way to counter.
• Stu Barnes (concussion) will be out for tonights game and Jere Lehtinen (leg) is a gametime decision. This game is as close to must win as you can get for the Stars.
• Detroit's current eight game winstreak is the most since the 1995 playoffs where they got bounced by the Devils in 4 games of the final. The Red Wings know they can't let down on the road.
• The Red Wings take pride on keeping their cool and not retaliating. However, players like Tomas Holmstrom are doing a fantastic job of agitating the opposition, especially Marty Turco.
• The Detroit News also takes note that coach Mike Babcock has taught his players well, as they are able to refrain from taking retaliatory penalties.
  

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Scott Burnside ponders the answer to adding offense to the NHL.
2. EJ Hradek discusses the woes of the Ducks and Flyers.
3. Hockey Canada announces its 37 man roster for the World Junior Selection Camp.
4. Riley Cote is the latest Flyer to be suspended.
5. NHL.com names its 10 Smartest Players of the Modern Era.
6. A profile on the Sharks' Devon Setoguchi.
7. Interesting story about a band made up of current and former Ohio State players.
8. An NHL.com feature on Phil Esposito.
9. A prospect report on Will Weber of the Chicago Steel.
10. A look at Chris Stewart, currently playing with Lake Erie in the AHL.
11. Wes Walz has finally retired, ending the bizarre saga.
12. Angelo Esposito has no problems playing junior this season.
13. Sportsnet notes that Hockey Canada has passed on the 6 junior-aged players currently in the NHL.
14. The NHL names its 3-Stars for the month of November.
15. Pierre Lebrun writes that Ron Wilson has maintained his focus despite reports that his job is in jeopardy.
16. Patrick King observes that the Canada-Russia rivalry is getting boring.
17. Gene Principe writes that the search for a left-winger for Hemsky and Horcoff continues. Maybe try looking in Saskatchewan. A lot of left wingers there recently found themselves out of a job.
18. INCH with its weekly rankings of the NCAA hockey teams.
19. Jere Lehtinen could miss 8-10 weeks with an abdominal injury.
20. The Toronto Star weighs in on the possibility of Canadian universities joining the NCAA.
21. Sidney Crosby goes West.
22. Taking Note with an interesting take on healthy scratches for disciplinary reasons at the junior level.
23. Video of the zamboni that caught fire.
24. Mike Brophy thinks Calgary needs a new approach to improve their game.
25. Adam Proteau thinks the NHL Boards of Governors is wrong to assume everything is ok with the game.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

Fantasy Watch: Buy/Sell

BUY

F Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Marleau struggled to begin this season, scoring only four points in the first month of the season. After averaging around a point per game the last two seasons, owners began wondering what was wrong with Marleau? Regulated to the bench on most fantasy teams, Marleau has since gotten hot, scoring six points in his last four games. While he still only has 11 points on the year, Marleau's recent outburst shows that he can still be a consistent fantasy scorer. Due to a slow start Marleau's overall points may dip a bit, but nonetheless, expect a big second half for the forward.

F Alexander Radulov, Nashville Predators
Radulov began this season in Nashville and after a slow start to his sophomore year, the forward was heavily criticized over poor conditioning in the off-season. After only scoring seven points in October,
Radulov has since gotten hot, as he has already eclipsed his point total from October. With three goals and eight points in November, it appears that the former first round pick has overcome his early season struggles. With the potnetial to be one of the NHL's top players, Radulov has to have owners furious with only 15 points on the year. Try to see if you can make a deal for the forward as he is in line to have a big second half.

F Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche
Smyth is having a disappointing season in Colorado, scoring only 13 points in his first 19 games. Nonetheless, if you can get Smyth for cheap in your league than do so. The forward has always been around a point per game pace player and should develop better chemistry with his line mates as the season goes on. Expect a significant turnaround for the former Oiler once he gets more comfortable playing in Colorado.


SELL

F Mike Comrie, New York Islanders
Comrie got off to a fast start this season scoring six points in his first two games, which had owners immediately checking the waiver wire for his availability. While he is currently averaging a point per game, Comrie's scoring has become rather inconsistent as of late. With only two points in his last five games, Comire has failed to show the offensive burst that he displayed earlier in the season. Although the former Coyote may end up finishing the season with around 50+ points, it's advised to trade him for a more proven scorer.

G Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes
Bryzgalov's stock may never get higher than it is right now. After being claimed off of waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes, Bryzgalov was named the starter for Phoenix's next game and immediately posted a shutout. Although Bryzgalov will probably receive the bulk of the starts in Phoenix, owners should not expect this kind of performance regularly. When playing for a much more talented Anaheim team, Bryzgalov was nothing more than mediocre, as his 10-8-6 record in 2006 shows that he was only a decent backup. It's advised to try and trade Bryzgalov now, because when the losses start coming, no one is going to take him.

F Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Lehtinen is currently Dallas' second leading scorer with 19 points in 20 games. Receiving significant playing time on Dallas' squad, Lehtinen's sudden offensive has been a surprise to many. After having an off year last season, it was thought that Lehtinen's stats would take another hit, as he is getting up their in age. On pace to eclipse his career high in points, it may seem silly to unload Lehitnen, but with his stock so high, now is the best time to do it. Already at age 34, Lehtinen has never scored more than 52 points in a season, and although it may look like he could break it, players of Lehtinen's age always tend to slow down.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

F Steven Reinprecht, Phoenix Coyotes
Reinprecht has had trouble staying healthy during his stay with Phoenix, but it looks as if the former Calgary Flame is finally injury free. Starting off this season rather slowly, Reinprecht has gotten hot in November, scoring four goals and eight points in his last four games. Although Phoenix lacks a lot of goal scorers, Reinprecht has still been able to rack up four assists, as rookie Peter Mueller has stepped up his play recently. Look for Reinprecht and Mueller to be a reliable tandem as the season goes on.
Fantasy Take: Reinprecht has always been a reliable low end fantasy option, but the knock on him is his health. If he can stay healthy, then expect a 50+ point season for the centerman.

F Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes
Mueller was probably drafted in most keeper leagues, but still may be available in your draft due to his slow start this season. With only two points in the month of September, it looked as if Mueller needed a few more years in the NHL before becoming a reliable fantasy option, but with six points in his last three games that may not be the case. Scoring his first career hat-trick earlier this week, Mueller has rebounded from his slow start, scoring eight points in 14 games this season. With the Coyotes devoted to giving significant playing time to their rookies, Mueller may be in store for a fantastic rookie season.
Fantasy Take: Mueller has been an excellent contributor for Phoenix over the past few games, but it's entirely possible that the rookie may come back down to Earth very soon. Keep an eye on Mueller's stats over Phoenix's next few games before inserting him into your lineup.

F Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Lehtinen has been that typical player over the past few years that usually gives you around 50 points and never anything more. Although it's possible that Lehtinen will revert to his old ways this season, it should be noted that the forward has scored 15 points in his first 17 games with Dallas. He is currently riding a four game point streak and is third on Dallas in team scoring. The Stars are also giving Lehtinen a chance to succeed on the power play, and he has responded quite well, scoring one goal and six power-play assists.
Fantasy Take: Only expect around 50 points for Lehtinen, as he has never reached higher then 52 points in his 12 year career.

G Mathieu Garon, Edmonton Oilers
With Edmonton Oilers starter Dwayne Roloson struggling this year, the Oilers have given backup Mathieu Garon a chance to show the team what he can do. Receiving five starts this year, Garon has gone 3-2-0 with a .887 save percentage in those games. With Roloson continuing to struggle, the Oilers may opt to use Garon more, which could lead to a split between the two goaltenders.
Fantasy Take: Garon is only a lower end fantasy option at best right now. He is currently backing up Roloson, but if Rolo continues to play the way he has, then expect a lot more of Garon in the mix.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis