Desert Dog All-Star

3: Keith Yandle

Last night against the Colorado Avalanche, Keith Yandle showed the NHL just why he should have been included in the All-Star Game all along instead of being a late entry due to injuries. Yes he was up against some stiff competition but anyone who thinks he isn't an All-Star based on this season should go watch some of his highlights or, even easier, go look at the standings for NHL defensemen.

With a goal and an assist against Colorado, Keith Yandle became the highest scoring defenseman in the NHL. That's right, he is ahead of the legendary Lidstrom and is also ahead of Byfuglien, Enstrom, Letang and Visnovsky. Yandle was the NHL's first star of the game, and with last night's points, he extends his scoring streak to nine games.

The Boston native has been a part of the Coyotes franchise since 2005 when he was drafted in the 4th round (105^th overall). The last couple of years have been big for Yandle in terms of progression with Coyotes fans having seen Yandle transform from a rookie to an All-Star in only 252 games. Shane Doan, captain of the Coyotes, had plenty of great things to say about his team-mate following the news that Yandle would be heading to the All-Star game.

“He's a legitimate, bona fide No. 1 d-man and we're lucky to have him. He is an incredible player and the players in the League understand and know how incredibly talented he is."

High praise indeed from his captain. Dave Tippett also had some nice things to say about the way his leading points scorer has improved his game, “It’s not just the points, it’s his all-around game that has really come to the forefront. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him."

Dave Tippett is pleased with Yandle's progress.

He certainly does at that. Yandle always looked like he could be a potential offensive threat from the blue-line but he seems to have worked a lot on the defensive side of his game in the last year as well. He now regularly plays against the best players the opposition has and, more often than not, he has come up trumps. Out of the 51 games he has played, he has a +4 rating which may not be the best on the team or in the NHL but it is certainly respectable. With a career high 44 points gained already and with 31 games to go, Yandle could find himself around the 60 point mark at the end of the regular season.

Coyotes fans will be desperate for Don Maloney to sit down with Yandle and sort out a lengthy contract as the Coyotes try to improve the franchise both on and off the ice. With so much time on Yandle's side, the chance to build a competitive team around him and the likes of Bryzgalov should be enough to convince Maloney to splash the cash on Yandle should he demand it.

Sidney Stopped.

Crosby: Needs to keep scoring

Of all the teams in the NHL I don't think anyone was expecting the New York Islanders to snap Sidney Crosby's point streak. Not only did they do that, but they beat the Penguins 2-1 (after a shootout) in the process. Crosby has, almost single-handedly, propelled the Pittsburgh Penguins to the top of the Eastern Conference. His streak ran for 25 games, which is mightily impressive.

During that time he got his goal scoring tally up to 32 and his assists up to 33, putting him in 1^st place in the NHL for points. While the 50 goals in 50 games achievement might be a little out of reach, Crosby is on pace for around 70 goals which would be his best ever tally.

Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury have got to be considered a big reason for the Penguins great season so far along with Crosby. Fleury is fifth among goalies for wins and Letang is having the season of his career, currently sitting in third amongst all defensemen for points with 32.

If Crosby can keep playing as well as he is, and if he stays free from injury, then the Penguins will surely be considered contenders for the Stanley Cup. However, if Crosby cools down, then it is hard to see where the Penguins are going to get goals from.

However, no-one else on the team is really contributing in a big way. Malkin looked ready to go after a five point stormer against the Phoenix Coyotes on the 20^th of December, but he has failed to keep that momentum going and has only registered 13 goals in 34 games.

The next few games are crucial for Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby. If the first half of the season is anything to go by, the Penguins are going to need Crosby to keep scoring if they are going to be successful this year.

The Stanley Cup: A bridge too far?

Personally, I don't think this team has it in them to win a Stanley Cup. The Kid does, but that isn't enough. They are going to need contributions from several more players and it just doesn't look like that is going to happen.

Prove me wrong Pittsburgh.