Ryan Getzlaf

The 2012 NHL All-Star Game signifies crunch-time for teams, and these underachieving NHL stars must be better down the stretch if they hope to help their teams. With roughly 33 games remaining for each team, it's nearing the desperation point for these men. 

Whether it be a big contract or even bigger expectations, these players must play their best if their team is to make anything of themselves over the next four months. 

Rumours have been rampant over the past several weeks that Brian Burke is making a run at acquiring Ryan Getzlaf from the Anaheim Ducks. There have also been several reports that Getzlaf is not really available as Ducks GM Bob Murray has said they aren't in rebuilding mode.

With so much competition in the West, rivalries are beginning to intensify. A perfect example of this would be what is currently occurring in the Golden State. With three possible cup contenders, the division rivalry between teams in California is heating up.

Let's take a look at what each Californian team has to offer.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Teemu Selanne has played in 1,259 games in his NHL career. He has 637 goals and 703 assists for 1,340 points. Not so long ago, those totals would have been deemed impossible.

The Anaheim Ducks were so close to nabbing a 3-2 lead in their series against Nashville last Friday. So, so close.

Well, here we are at the end of another NHL season. 

With just one week to go, the NHL playoff picture is still unclear.  There are three spots available in the Eastern Conference and over in the West only two teams have clinched a playoff spot.  This final week will be very interesting as the playoff match-ups start to take shape.

Here is some great information for helping you to decide who to dress for the upcoming fantasy hockey week.

If you have been watching the Washington Capitals this season, then you know that it is all or nothing when it comes to scoring goals.

Last evening it was all offense, as the Washington Capitals overcame one two-goal and three one-goal deficits to beat the Anaheim Ducks 7-6, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The game was a wild affair that saw Washington score seven goals for the first time since Oct. 30.

There have been many great entry drafts in the history of the NHL, but none stands out quite like the 2003 draft, which was held in Nashville Tennessee.

Of the 292 players selected on the weekend of June 21 and 22, a whopping 126 players have appeared in at least one NHL game.

In a very unfortunate play during Anaheim's contest against the Phoenix Coyotes December 28, Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf took a puck to the face, causing a few nasal sinus fractures.  After CT scans and other various tests, there was no bone dislocation found, meaning surgery will not be necessary. 

The power forward is a rare species in today's NHL. With the game evolving into one of speed and skill, the physically gifted as well as physically imposing offensive threats are tough to find.

However, these types of players do still exist, just in a somewhat modified form. So, what exactly qualifies a player as a power forward these days?

In my eyes, power forwards do it all, they score, they hit, and they fight. A power forward plays as well on defense as he does on offense, and is among the best competitors on the team.