Jimmy Howard shuts out Hawks to win Game 4 - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard stopped all 28 shots he faced in the Red Wings' 2-0 win over Chicago Thursday night.

Red Wings take 2-1 lead on Howard's 39 saves - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard stopped 39 of 40 shots in Monday's 3-1 win to help the Detroit Red Wings take a 2-1 series lead over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jimmy Howard calls Blackhawks 'a tall order' - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard says beating the Chicago Blackhawks will be a "tall order" for the Detroit Red Wings.

NHL hands Jimmy Howard first star of the week - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard was remarkable in the final week of the season and it earned him the NHL's first star selection.

Jimmy Howard is perfect Monday night - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard stopped all 34 shots he faced in Detroit's 4-0 shutout win over Phoenix Monday.

Jimmy Howard humbled in defeat - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard didn't exactly have the greatest game on Wednesday after signing a six-year contract extension on Tuesday.

Hockey Daily Dose: The Word on Howard

Source: Rotoworld Hockey Articles

Wednesday's Daily Dose examines the pros and cons of the Detroit Red Wings extending Jimmy Howard's contract.

Red Wings extend Howard for six years, $31.8M - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

The Detroit Red Wings signed goalie Jimmy Howard to a six-year, $31.8 million contract extension.

Jimmy Howard shuts out Predators - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard stopped all 22 shots he faced Sunday as the Red Wings shut out Nashville by a score of 3-0.

Report: Jimmy Howard on verge of re-signing - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard is reportedly close to agreeing to terms with the Detroit Red Wings.

Jimmy Howard: (Flu) Scratched Friday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard (flu) has been scratched from his start Friday, the team's official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Howard better, will start v Oilers Friday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard will start in goal against the Oilers Friday night.

Report: Jimmy Howard, Wings close to new deal - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard and the Detroit Red Wings are reportedly close to agreeing to a new long-term deal.

Jimmy Howard can't be much hotter right now - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard has been on fire lately.

Jimmy Howard shines in shutout of Oilers - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard stopped all 22 shots he faced in Detroit's 3-0 shutout win over Edmonton Thursday.

Shuffle Up: The year Ryan Miller broke

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You should know the Shuffle Up rules by now, but we'll do a quick refresher. What's happened to this point is merely an audition; we're trying to rank the players based on how they'll play for the balance of the season. Consider basic Yahoo! scoring categories as we do this dance: wins, shutouts, save percentage and goals-against average. There are also contextual factors to consider, of course (supporting cast, job security), not to mention age and career arc and injury concerns.

Injured goalies are kept off the list, which is why Miikka Kiprusoff isn't here. (The way he's been playing, no big loss. We don't miss you, Kiprusoft.)

[Baseball 2013 from Yahoo! Fantasy Sports:

Jimmy Howard records first shutout of season - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard made 33 saves for his first shutout of the seasonas the Detroit Red Wings snapped a season-high, five-game losing streak with a 4-0 victory over the Nashville Predators Saturday night.

Jimmy Howard loses in return to crease - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard allowed three goals on 24 shots Thursday as the Blue Jackets defeated Detroit by a score of 3-2.

Jimmy Howard: (Eye) Back in Goal

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard, who was lifted from Tuesday's game in the first period after he experienced blurry vision, will start Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets, Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard cleared to play Thursday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard was cleared to play on Wednesday after suffering blurred vision Tuesday.

Jimmy Howard: (Eye) Cleared To Play

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard (eye) has been cleared to play, MLive.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard: Suffers Blurred Vision Tuesday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard was lifted from Tuesday's game in the first period after he experienced blurry vision, the Detroit Free Press reports. According to coach Mike Babcock, Howard "wasn't seeing good or something like that...he'll get tested (Wednesday), we'll find out more." Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

G Jimmy Howard has apparent head injury - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard left Tuesday night's game against Nashville at 11:22 of the first period with what appeared to be a head injury.

Hockey Daily Dose: Hold your breath for Hossa

Source: Rotoworld Hockey Articles

Wednesday's Daily Dose takes a look at Marian Hossa's potentially serious injury, the same for Jimmy Howard and more.

Jimmy Howard: Upper-Body Injury

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard left Tuesday night's overtime loss to the Predators in the first period due to an upper-body injury, the Associated Press reports. He did not return. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard exits early Tuesday with UBI - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard permitted two goals on seven shots before leaving Tuesday night's game due to an upper-body injury.

Jimmy Howard suffers UBI Tuesday night - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard permitted two goals on seven shots before leaving Tuesday night's game due to an upper-body injury.

Babcock admits Jimmy Howard needs rest - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock admits he needs to get goaltender Jimmy Howard some rest.

Jimmy Howard: Starting Friday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard will get the start Friday against St. Louis, MLive.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Shuffle Up: Tuukka Rask grabs yellow jersey; how good is Corey Crawford?

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The first in-season Shuffle Up is a tricky assignment in any sport, any season. While we don't want to be knee-jerk reactionaries with respect to the early action, we don't want to be late to early-season trends, either. What's real and what's mirage? These are the questions that make a fantasy life worth living.

The stakes are raised in NHL 2013, looking at a condensed schedule and a microwaved season. If there's ever been a time to be aggressive with value changes, this is the year.

And of course goalies are the craziest and flakiest of all fantasy commodities. Yesterday's zero can be today's hero, and vice versa. A bad environment can sink a good netminder, while a strong defense can elevate a pedestrian

Red-Light District: (Defensive) Panic in Detroit; Cory Conacher makes his mark

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fantasy netminders, environment is a gigantic part of the equation. An ordinary goalie can turn into roto gold if the right defense is protecting him, while a rock-solid puck stopper sometimes has his fantasy value torpedoed by a sketchy defense.

For most of Jimmy Howard's professional life, he's had a cushy setup. He's not going to enjoy that in 2013. Detroit's blue line is a mess right now.

When Howard inherited the gig for the 2009-10 season, the Red Wings were overflowing with quality defensemen. Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski were

Dazzling Debuts: Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau make a splash

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

My rule with early season fantasy pickups has always been a simple one: be aggressive. When plausible upside presents itself, don't wait around for proof. The bottom 15-25 percent of your roster should be in a constant cycle. You don't have to hit for a high average to make it worthwhile, provided a couple of the clicks become significant contributors.

With that in mind, let's talk about a couple of rookies who jumped off the screen during Saturday's opening slate of NHL action. Come on down, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau.

There were

Dazzling Debuts: Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

My rule with early season fantasy pickups has always been a simple one: be aggressive. When plausible upside presents itself, don't wait around for proof. The bottom 15-25 percent of your roster should be in a constant cycle. You don't have to hit for a high average to make it worthwhile, provided a couple of the clicks become significant contributors.

With that in mind, let's talk about a couple of rookies who jumped off the screen during Saturday's opening slate of NHL action. Come on down, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau.

There were plenty of stars in St. Louis as the Blues convincingly dispatched the Red Wings 6-0, but Tarasenko was deserving of No. 1 star honors. He scored a

Shuffle Up: King Henrik reigns between the pipes

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

If you've already drafted a 2013 Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey squad this month, or merely looked at the Yahoo! game rankings this week, you'll notice a few things out of place.

We know. Please excuse the mess right now. We're remodeling.

Our rankings are in the midst of a total overhaul (we hear you, Justin Schultz Sympathizers), to be reflected in the game ranks soon. Now that the lockout is out of the way, it's full speed ahead. In the meantime, we'll also introduce the fresh ice to you on the blog, in classic Shuffle Up form. Assignment one,

Shuffle Up: Reranking everyone between the pipes

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

If you've already drafted a 2013 Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey squad this month, or merely looked at the Yahoo! game rankings this week, you'll notice a few things out of place.

We know. Please excuse the mess right now. We're remodeling.

Our rankings are in the midst of a total overhaul (we hear you, Justin Schultz Sympathizers), to be reflected in the game ranks soon. Now that the lockout is out of the way, it's full speed ahead. In the meantime, we'll also introduce the fresh ice to you on the blog, in classic Shuffle Up form. Assignment one, the men in the crease.

All fantasy-relevant goaltenders are ranked below on their

Jimmy Howard having trouble staying in shape - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard is having trouble staying in shape as he practices three times a week outside of Detroit.

Jimmy Howard to start v Panthers Sunday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Look for Jimmy Howard to start in goal against the Panthers Sunday.

Jimmy Howard (groin) will start on Friday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard play between the pipes in Friday's game against Nashville after missing four contests due to a groin injury.

Jimmy Howard may play on Friday after all - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

As it turns out, Jimmy Howard (groin) might be available to start Friday's contest with Nashville after all.

Jimmy Howard (groin) won't be back on Friday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard (groin) isn't expected to be back on Friday.

Jimmy Howard: Shoots for Friday Return

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard (groin) will not suit up Wednesday, MLive.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard hopes to be back Friday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard is targeting Friday's contest versus Nashville as a possible return date from his groin injury.

Jimmy Howard faces shots Saturday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard faced shots during practice Saturday.

Jimmy Howard: (Groin) Suffers Setback

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard has suffered a setback with his groin and missed practice Tuesday. He will not start Wednesday's game against the Rangers, the Detroit Free Press reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard re-aggravates groin, day-to-day - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard re-aggravated his groin and is considered day-to-day. Detroit plays at the Rangers tomorrow.

Detroit will get Jimmy Howard back on Tuesday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard (groin) will start in Tuesday's game versus Los Angeles.

Jimmy Howard: Lower Body Injury

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Jimmy Howard: Howard was forced out of Sunday's game against Chicago with a lower body, the Red Wings' official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Jimmy Howard suffers lower-body injury - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Jimmy Howard left early in the Detroit Red Wings-Chicago Blackhawks game because of a lower-body injury.

NHL Defensemen and Goalies Battling Back from Injuries

Source: Bleacher Report NHL

Each week, we will look at the NHL's top five fantasy defensemen and top five fantasy goalies.  The list will be based on fantasy impact over the past few days and weeks.  Most elite stars consistently produce, but there are several players who are very streaky, so keep an eye on their stats so that you can dress them while they are on a hot streak. 

No. 5—Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Phoenix Coyotes) had a good start to his sophomore season but has struggled as of late.  For the month of January, he scored seven points in 12 games and finished with a plus-three rating.  However, things didn’t go so well in February, as he is pointless in nine games and has a minus-one rating. Ekman-Larsson has tremendous

Jimmy Howard (finger) will start on Tuesday - Jimmy Howard | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

As expected, Jimmy Howard (broken finger) will play between the pipes on Tuesday.