Race to the Sin Bin (Jan 4)

Marcie's team might have a leg up on the outdoor games pool through three out of four games, but her team is also trying to make a good run at Kristy & Don in the PIM pool as well.  Through Monday and Tuesday's action, Marcie's team already leads the pool in Week Twelve with 11 minutes in penalties, closing the gap to 40 minutes.

Kristy & Don won't be short on their defense of their lead tonight, as they will have Wayne Simmonds going up against the Rangers tonight, Alex Burrows might return from injury against the Coyotes and Keith Yandle will play the Jets.  It isn't the most dependable trio to go tonight, but it isn't bad.

Marcie will counter with Jarome Iginla against Sam Bennett in the Avalanche and Flames game, and she'll have Ryan Kesler going up against the Red Wings.  Iginla and Bennett likely won't tangle, but they haven't been short on time in the box and neither has Kesler, that pest.

Derek B. has the biggest goon, leading up to the games tonight, in Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk, who could very well get under the skin of Iginla and the Avalanche.  Derek has loaded up on Flames players who enjoy time in the box, as his other top two players are Mark Giordano and Micheal Ferland, who could add up some more minutes, trying to close the 11-minute gap on Marcie that he has.  Fight night in Calgary would certainly be welcomed and if the Avalanche are as frustrated as they should be, it may not be out of the question.

We're also keeping an eye on Troy, who has tried to goon it up at the Waiver Draft.  His team is yet to register a minute this week, but he could get a bit more help tonight.  Josh Manson of the Ducks will get the Red Wings, as noted above, and Brendan Gallagher of the Habs will be in Dallas.  Unfortunately, he is sitting on Chris Thorburn of the Jets, but he has been a healthy scratch for quite some time now, a major disappointment to the cause, but maybe, now on back-to-back nights, he can draw in against the Panthers.  No promises though.

A couple more of the top goons going tonight: Dustin Byfuglien of the Jets is going for Eric, who is 63 minutes back of the lead, and Radko Gudas of the Flyers, who is going for Scott... he's well out of the goon race.