This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
While points are points, it's interesting to look at the leaders in advanced fantasy stats, as it can help dictate which players provide more value in certain formats. If you're in a points only league, a player who is putting up one point every game is a safe and reliable fantasy option. If you're in head-to-head with certain categories, you might be more looking towards a player who puts up strong multi-point game totals, as you know he could potentially explode any given night or week.
Here's a look at your current leaders:
Most multi-point games:
1. Jakub Voracek, Ryan Getzlaf (16)
2. Tyler Seguin (15)
3. Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel (14)
Most games with at least one point:
1. Evgeni Malkin (33)
2. Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux (32)
3. Tyler Johnson (31)
4. Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Johansen, Mark Giordano, Rick Nash (30)
Most multi-goal games:
1. Tyler Seguin (7)
2. Alex Ovechkin (6)
3. Tyler Johnson, Steven Stamkos, Joe Pavelski (5)
Most games with a positive plus-minus rating:
1. Filip Forsberg (26)
2. Vladimir Tarasenko, Nikita Kucherov, Max Pacioretty, Marc-Edouard Vlasic (23)
3. Rick Nash (22)
4. Tyler Johnson, Jori Lehtera,T.J. Brodie, Brad Marchand (21)
(data courtesy of NHL.com)
Here's what you need to know for Saturday's NHL action.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Blue Jackets (Sergei Bobrovsky) at Bruins (Tuukka Rask), 7:00
Leafs (Jonathan Bernier) at Blues (Brian Elliott*), 7:00
Oilers (Ben Scrivens) at Panthers (Roberto Luongo), 7:00
Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov) at Lightning (Ben Bishop), 7:00
Predators (Carter Hutton) at Red Wings (Petr Mrazek), 7:00
Hurricanes (Anton Khudobin*) at Senators (Craig Anderson), 7:00
Islanders (Jaroslav Halak) at Canadiens (Dustin Tokarski), 7:00
Flyers (Ray Emery) at Sabres (Jhonas Enroth), 7:00
Capitals (Justin Peters) at Stars (Kari Lehtonen), 8:00
Coyotes (Mike Smith) at Wild (Devan Dubnyk), 9:00
Ducks (Frederik Andersen) at Kings (Jonathan Quick), 10:00
Flames (Joni Ortio*) at Sharks (Antti Niemi), 10:00
*Confirmed Starters
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Saturday
Ducks
Eric Brewer, D (broken foot) -- Has been able to resume skating on his own, mixed in with the Ducks' defensive pairings during Friday's morning skate.
Coyotes
Shane Doan, RW (undisclosed) – Didn't play Thursday.
Brandon Gormley, D (lower body) -- Was officially placed on injured reserve Thursday.
Bruins
Brad Marchand, LW (suspended) -- Has been suspended two games for slew-footing Derick Brassard during Thursday's win over the Rangers.
Simon Gagne, LW (personal) -- Will not return to the Bruins this season.
Sabres
Brian Gionta, C (concussion) -- Is expected to be out until after the All-Star break.
Cody McCormick, LW (blood clot in leg) -- Was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Flames
Curtis Glencross, LW (lower body) -- Coach Bob Hartley indicated that Glencross (lower body) is "very, very doubtful" for Saturday's game against the Sharks.
Josh Jooris, RW (wrist) -- Skated with the "game-day group" Thursday in a non-contact jersey.
Karri Ramo, G (upper body) -- Will travel with the team to Arizona for Thursday's game.
Avalanche
Borna Rendulic, RW (foot) -- Will be out indefinitely with a broken leg.
Blue Jackets
Jack Skille, RW (lower body) -- Was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
Artem Anisimov, C (triceps) -- Said Tuesday that he was "close" to a return, skated Friday.
Ryan Murray, D (knee) -- Took part in Monday's practice.
Stars
Ales Hemsky, RW (undisclosed) -- Suffered an undisclosed injury in Thursday's game against the Jets but is considered probable to play Saturday against the Capitals.
Brett Ritchie, RW (undisclosed) -- Is dealing with an undisclosed injury and appears doubtful to play Saturday against the Capitals.
Trevor Daley.,D (undisclosed) -- Sustained an undisclosed injury during Thursday's loss to the Jets and is doubtful to play Saturday against the Capitals,
Patrick Eaves, RW (ankle) -- Should be ready to return to action in about a week.
Vernon Fiddler, LW (lower body) -- Resumed practicing Wednesday.
Red Wings
Jimmy Howard, G (groin) -- Is targeting a return to action at some point between Jan. 31 and Feb. 7.
Johan Franzen, RW (upper body) -- Has been limited to off-ice workouts since landing on injured reserve.
Jonas Gustavsson, G (shoulder) -- Has been able to practice for the last few weeks, but isn't projected to return until shortly after the NHL All-Star break.
Tomas Jurco, RW (back) -- General manager Ken Holland said Friday that Jurco (back) wouldn't return until after the All-Star break.
Jakub Kindl, D (elbow) -- General manager Ken Holland said Friday that Kindl (elbow) won't return to active duty until after the All-Star break
Panthers
Shawn Thornton, RW (groin) -- Resumed skating with the team Wednesday morning and appears ready to play.
Kings
Robyn Regehr, D (hand) -- Could be activated from IR in advance of Saturday's game against the Ducks.
Tyler Toffoli, RW (illness) -- Is projected to miss three-to-four weeks while he recovers from mononucleosis.
Tanner Pearson, LW (leg) -- Kings assistant GM Rob Blake indicated that Pearson is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his fractured left fibula.
Wild
Mikael Granlund, C (wrist) -- May resume practicing with the Wild on Sunday.
Ryan Suter, D (suspended) -- Has been suspended for two games for elbowing Pittsburgh's Steve Downie on Tuesday.
Justin Falk, D (lower body) -- Has been placed on IR by the Wild.
Marco Scandella, D (head) -- Is considered close to returning to action.
Darcy Kuemper, G, (lower body) – Resumed skating Monday.
Keith Ballard, D (concussion) -- Is still experiencing concussion symptoms and is weighing retirement.
Canadiens
Carey Price, G (upper body) -- Is iffy for Saturday's game against the Islanders.
Predators
Pekka Rinne, G (knee) -- Rinne's lower-body injury has been diagnosed as a sprained knee, will miss three-to-five weeks.
Devils
Cory Schneider, G (upper body) -- Did not require X-Rays after leaving Friday's game against the Ducks with an upper body injury.
Mark Fraser, D (hand) -- Missed Thursday's practice with a suspected hand injury.
Tuomo Ruutu, LW (illness) -- Was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Jaromir Jagr,RW (illness) -- GM Lou Lamoriello said Jagr is "very doubtful" to join the Devils at any point during their three-game road trip.
Patrick Elias, C (elbow) -- Elias suffered a hyperextended elbow during Monday's practice.
Islanders
Mikhail Grabovski, C (lower body) – Didn't play Friday against the Penguins.
Lubomir Visnovsky, D (upper-body) – Wasn't on the ice for practice Thursday.
Senators
Zack Smith, RW (wrist) -- Has been skating over the last few days.
Mark Borowiecki, D (leg) -- Skated on his own Thursday morning.
Flyers
Scott Laughton, C (upper body) -- Will not play Thursday against the Canucks.
Braydon Coburn, D (foot) -- Will be out four weeks with what is believed to be a broken left foot.
Nicklas Grossmann, D (upper body) -- Was placed on injured reserve Sunday.
Penguins
Olli Maatta, D (shoulder) -- Will undergo shoulder surgery Wednesday, ending his season.
Blues
Martin Brodeur, G (absence) -- The Blues have given Brodeur a one-week leave of absence from the club.
Lightning
Victor Hedman, D – Took contact during Friday's practice, could return Saturday.
Leafs
David Booth, LW (head) -- Didn't play Thursday against the Sharks.
Leo Komarov, RW (upper body) -- Is expected to remain out of the lineup Thursday against the Sharks.
Capitals
Eric Fehr, RW (lower body) – Did not play Friday against Nashville.
Hot
Kyle Okposo, RW, NYI – After a four-goal outburst Friday, Okposo now has five goals and nine points in his last seven games, helping the Islanders become the first team to 30 wins this season. The top-line winger continues to throw pucks on net, with his 147 shots on goal ninth most in the NHL. Considering the 2014 USA Olympic snub mustered only 195 shots all of last season and 152 shots the last full-season prior, what's he done this time around is quite impressive. With 41 points in 44 games, the 26-year-old is on track to break the 70-point barrier for the first time in his career. With John Tavares on his line, you really can't go wrong.
James Neal, LW, NSH – While it's hard to label a player hot after just two games, Neal has looked terrific in his past two outings since returning from a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old scored two goals Friday vs. Washington, giving him four points in two games since returning. Considering he's missed time, it's impressive his 124 shots on goal are still 40th most in the NHL. With 15 goals, 39 PIM, and a plus-17 rating, Neal is an all-around fantasy stud. Now that he's back in action and playing on Nashville's second line and top power-play unit, the sniper needs to be back in your lineup and starting every game.
Cold
Matt Moulson, LW, BUF – Well, Moulson tends to show up a lot in this section. Pointless in his last seven games, Moulson is stuck at seven goals and 17 points in 42 games played. With a horrific minus-16 rating and just one power-play tally, Moulson has had it rough with a Buffalo team that sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 31 points in 45 games. It's hard to see his production improving, as he's skating on the second line with Torrey Mitchell and Tyler Ennis and is currently not on the top power-play unit. On pace for just 13 goals and 31 points, Moulson should be avoided right now outside of the deepest of leagues.
David Desharnais, LW, MTL – With just one point (a goal) in his last eight games, the second-liner is struggling offensively. While he still has 21 points (six goals) in 43 games, it's surprising he hasn't been able to produce recently on the second line with the up-and-comer Alex Galchenyuk. While the move to the wing has made him a better all-around player, his offensive numbers have taken a hit, as he is on pace for just 11 goals and 40 points. He should get back on track soon, though, as he is getting plenty of opportunities and is playing in Montreal's top-six.
Recommended Pickup
Seth Jones, D, NSH – Alright, if you're in a shallow league, you obviously aren't going to be looking at a guy like Seth Jones. If you're in a deeper format, however, it gets interesting. After a rough stretch in mid-November to mid-December with only three points in 18 games, Jones now has points in back-to-back games and has three goals and seven points in his last 12 games. With a nice plus-12 rating and 18:02 of average ice time, Jones is worth a look, especially considering the Predators are sitting atop the NHL and Ryan Ellis (lower body) isn't expected back until after the all-star break. The 20-year-old could hit 30 points this season and has tons of potential.
