Tarasenko, Luongo among hot fantasy topics

We've just about reached the point of no return, at least in my book. As I stated a few weeks ago, I tend to give players a 12-15 game trial every season to prove themselves. If they've performed at a high level for those 12-15 games, I have reason to believe they can continue to perform at that level for at least most of the remainder of the season. If they've struggled and disappointed in those 12-15 games, I usually start to think this might not be their season.

Of course, players will prove my benchmark wrong. Claude Giroux's 2013-14 season got off to an abysmal start when he went without a goal in his first 15 games. We all know what happened after that.

There will be Girouxs this season. At some point players like Anze Kopitar, David Backes and Gabriel Landeskog should turn things around. But for lesser-known players, the 12-15 game benchmark usually has worked for me. This is your chance to start gauging what you can expect from a player this season.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Right Wing - STL

GOALS: 9 | ASST: 7 | PTS: 16
SOG: 55 | +/-: 10

Let's have a look at some other hot topics in fantasy hockey right now.

1. Injury replacements

With the news that Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise will be out because of a concussion and Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp is sidelined for 3-4 weeks, fantasy owners will be searching the waiver wire for replacements. Here are some options:

Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames (available in 76 percent of Yahoo leagues) -- He has six points in the past five games, is a plus-7 on the season and is starting to see the playing time he deserves.

Derick Brassard, C, New York Rangers (77 percent) -- He's been extremely consistent this season with at least one point in seven of 12 games (five goals, six assists, 27 shots on goal).

Chris Higgins, LW, Vancouver Canucks (93 percent) -- For deeper leagues; he has nine points in 14 games and will help with assists (seven), plus/minus (plus-7) and shots on goal (28).

2. Luongo liking life in South Beach

Over the course of 813 NHL games, Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo has a 2.51 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. In his 24 games since joining the Panthers late last season, he has a 2.40 GAA and .927 save percentage. Despite his team ranking 19th in shots-against per game (30.2) and their penalty kill ranking 25th (76.6 percent), Luongo continues to shine for the Panthers. He may be coming off a 4-1 defeat against the Philadelphia Flyers (his first regulation loss since Oct. 13), but Luongo should be viewed as a potential top-10 goalie for the rest of the season.

3. Fourth-line roles

Jeff Skinner

Left Wing - CAR

GOALS: 1 | ASST: 1 | PTS: 2
SOG: 21 | +/-: -5

San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl found himself in a similar situation, getting bumped to the fourth line Saturday. He received 9:30 of ice time and responded with a power-play goal. On Thursday he had an assist while bouncing between the third and fourth lines. Like Skinner, I'd bank on Hertl returning to a more prominent role in San Jose and finishing with around 25 goals and a better rating than Skinner will have.

Both players are ownable in fantasy leagues; I would just keep them on the bench until they move back up in the lineup.

4. Bouncing back

Alexander Edler

Defense - VAN

GOALS: 3 | ASST: 4 | PTS: 7
SOG: 46 | +/-: 5

5. Consistency

I mentioned how Brassard has points in seven of his 12 games this season, but did you know Flyers forward Jakub Voracek has at least one point in 12 of 13 games? Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan Johansen of the Columbus Blue Jackets have points in 11 of 12 games, while the Canucks' Henrik Sedin has points in 12 of 14. As for defensemen, Brent Burns of the Sharks leads the way with points in 11 of 14 games, while Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie of the Calgary Flames each have points in 11 of 15 games.

There's something to be said for consistent point production, especially in head-to-head leagues, and fantasy owners need to be aware of this. For a full League-leaders list of games with at least one point, go here.

---