This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Dion Phaneuf got his first taste of life as a Senator on Wednesday.
It didn't go great.
He blew a tire early in the game and got burned and then, later on, looked like blow-up doll as Henrik Zetterberg worked Phaneuf on the outside for a goal.
solid debut so far pic.twitter.com/a866pc8RXG
— Stephanie (@myregularface) February 11, 2016
Zetterberg goal pic.twitter.com/Cs1F173dQn
— Stephanie (@myregularface) February 11, 2016
But let's look past the lowlights. He played 21:42, taking on a good deal of responsibility in the game. With 5:04 of power play ice time, he ranked behind only Erik Karlsson among team defensemen.
He didn't manage any shots at all in the game, but there were signs that they plan on trying to activate his offensive capabilities. He wasn't lacking for ice time or that desire in Toronto, but with a better supporting cast at even strength and on the power play, as well as the lessened pressure of being "the guy" in the defensive group, he could acquire increased value in fantasy. It's worth paying attention to.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Kings (Jonathan Quick) at Islanders (Jaroslav Halak), 7:00 PM
Sabres (Robin Lehner) at Flyers (Steve Mason), 7:00 PM
Ducks (John Gibson) at Blue Jackets (Joonas Korpisalo), 7:00 PM
Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov) at Senators (Andrew Hammond), 7:30 PM
Capitals (Braden Holtby) at Wild (Devan Dubnyk), 8:00 PM
Bruins (Tuukka Rask) at Jets (Connor Hellebuyck), 8:00 PM
Stars (Antti Niemi) at Blackhawks (Corey Crawford), 8:30 PM
Maple Leafs (Jonathan Bernier) at Oilers (Cam Talbot), 9:00 PM
Flames (Karri Ramo) at Sharks (Martin Jones), 10:30 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Thursday
Los Angeles Kings
Matt Greene, D (shoulder) - is out the rest of the year
New York Islanders
Adam Pelech, D (upper body) - may miss the rest of the year
Eric Boulton, LW (undisclosed) - remains on injured reserve
Buffalo Sabres
Cody McCormick, C (blood clots) - still hasn't played this season
Zemgus Girgensons, C (lower body) - was placed on IR Wednesday
Tyler Ennis, LW (upper body) - isn't expected back soon
Johan Larsson, C (undisclosed) - didn't play Wednesday, but could play Thursday
Philadelphia Flyers
Sean Couturier, C (lower body) - is on IR
Michal Neuvirth, G (lower body) - practiced Wednesday for the first time since getting injured
Anaheim Ducks
Shawn Horcoff, C (suspension) - continues to serve his 20-game suspension
Clayton Stoner, D (hip flexor) - remains out
Columbus Blue Jackets
Curtis McElhinney, G (ankle) - is traveling with the team
Jared Boll, RW (throat) - took a puck to the throat in practice and his status remains questionable
David Savard, D (oblique) - returned to practice this week, but remains day-to-day
Sergei Bobrovsky, G (groin) - is said to not be making progress in his recovery
David Clarkson, RW (upper body) - remains on IR
Colorado Avalanche
Brad Stuart, D (back) - will miss significant time
Jack Skille, RW (concussion) - was placed on IR Monday
Reto Berra, G (ankle) - began skating on Monday
Jesse Winchester, LW (concussion) - is on IR
Ben Street, C (chest) - has been out since November
Ottawa Senators
David Dziurzynski, LW (undisclosed) - is on IR
Clarke MacArthur, LW (concussion) - skated Wednesday, but is without a timetable for return
Chris Phillips, D (back) - has not made progress in his recovery
Washington Capitals
Brooks Orpik, D (lower body) - is traveling with the team on the current road trip
Jay Beagle, C (hand) - has skated, but has no timetable
Minnesota Wild
Jared Spurgeon, D (undisclosed) - is questionable for Thursday
Jonas Brodin, D (foot) - will miss months
Boston Bruins
Chris Kelly, RW (fractured femur) - will miss the rest of the season
Adam McQuaid, D (upper body) - has not been cleared for contact
Winnipeg Jets
Ondrej Pavelec, G (knee) - is making progress
Dallas Stars
Jason Spezza, C (lower body) - remains week-to-week
Chicago Blackhawks
Artemi Panarin, LW (illness) - missed Teusday's game
Marcus Kruger, C (wrist) - is not expected back soon
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joffrey Lupul, LW (middle body) - is not traveling with the team
Milan Michalek, LW (finger) - remains on IR
Stephane Robidas, D (knee) - has no timetable for making his season debut
Shawn Matthias, C (whiplash) - is not traveling with the team
James van Riemsdyk, LW (foot) - is still on IR
Tyler Bozak, C (head) - was placed on IR Wednesday
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C (hand) - remains out after hand surgery
Oscar Klefbom, D (infection) - could be nearing a return to action
Andrew Ference, D (hip) - has had his season ended by surgery
Calgary Flames
Dennis Wideman, D (suspension) - continues to serve his suspension
San Jose Sharks
Raffi Torres, LW (knee) - remains in the AHL
Hot
Erik Karlsson, D, OTT — The NHL's assist leader has been on a tear all season, but he's been especially hot lately. He's put up a goal and eight assists through his last six games while averaging 3.8 shots per game.
Petr Mrazek, G, DET — He's simply not getting enough credit for what he's done this year. He's had a sub-.931 save percentage just once in his last six games and has been sub-.900 just once in 2016, a span of 13 games. He's also posted three shutouts in that time.
Cold
Henrik Sedin, C, VAN — Four games back from his injury and the bounceback from his slump hasn't come, even though he finally got on the board Wednesday. He has just a single point in his last six games, has failed to register a shot in four of his last eight games, and hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 7. That's 19 goalless games.
Kyle Turris, C, OTT — Turris has hit a rough patch. Seven games without a point and 18 games without a goal. It's a disappointing turn from earlier in the year when he was on a pretty hot stretch.
Recommended Pickup
Bo Horvat, C, VAN — Horvat has discovered his scoring touch. In deep leagues, he's gaining value. It's been going on for a while. In his last 15 games he's put up eight goals and seven assists with four penalty minutes. Will it last? Who knows. Those 15 points in 15 games are 60% of his points on the season and come in just 28% of his games on the season.
