panoo

John Kreiser | NHL.com columnist
Feb 20, 2007, 10:07 AM EST

Marian Gaborik is playing like someone trying to make up for lost time.

Gaborik had four goals in the Minnesota Wild's first seven games before going down with a groin injury that refused to heal. What looked like a problem that might cost him a couple weeks turned into something that cost him 34 games.

But since returning to the lineup on Jan. 6, Gaborik has been on a tear. He has 15 goals and 29 points in the 19 games since his return, and has been even hotter over the last 10 days, going 5-4-9 in the Wild's last four games, including the winning goal in Saturday night's 4-1 win at Nashville. Before Sunday night's loss in St. Louis, the Wild had been 12-0-1 when Gaborik scored a goal.

Gaborik won't match last season's total of 38 goals, but if he stays hot, he could reach the 30-goal mark for the season -- without playing 50 games - and carry the Wild to the playoffs or even a Northwest Division title.

Five Up -- Our top five fantasy players of the week:

Henrik Zetterberg -- Detroit is one of the NHL's hottest teams, and Zetterberg is a big reason why. He had four goals and eight points in the Wings' three games last week, including a hat trick in Saturday's 4-1 win at Phoenix. He has 21 points (10-11-21) in Detroit's eight games this month.

Bill Guerin -- The St. Louis Blues may not make the playoffs, but if that happens, it won't be because of Guerin. The 36-year-old right wing had five goals last week, including a hat trick against San Jose and the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Nashville.

Mats Sundin -- Toronto's captain is leading the Leafs' charge toward the playoffs. He had back-to-back two-point games in wins over Philadelphia and Edmonton, including the game-winning goal against the Oilers, and is 7-6-13 in his last 10 games.

Marcel Hossa -- Maybe some of brother Marian's brilliance is starting to rub off on Marcel - or maybe all he needed was more time on Jaromir Jagr's line. After scoring just three goals in the New York Rangers' first 52 games, Hossa has four in the last five, including the game-winner on Sunday against Chicago.

Roberto Luongo -- It's a breakout season for Luongo, and the Vancouver goaltender is on a roll with four-straight wins in which he's allowed just nine goals on 132 shots. His 34 victories are second in the NHL behind New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and one short of his career high, set last season with Florida.

Five Down -- Five fantasy players who've been struggling:

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