Hockeycentric Fantasy Focus: February 11th, 2010
The NHL will break for the Olympics with every team having played around 60 games, which will give fantasy owners time to take a breath and regroup for the final quarter of the season. Is it time to let go of that player you’ve been quietly waiting for all season? Maybe a blockbuster trade can turn your team’s fortunes around?
If one of those players you’ve been patiently waiting for is Steve Mason, then you’ve been handsomely rewarded with back-to-back shutouts in the past week. These are the kind of breakout performances you’ll need to win your pool.
Must have been pretty swell to own a Washington Capital over their 14-game winning streak; The Caps have been scoring at a ridiculous pace, headlined by Alex Ovechkin’s now 10-point lead in the scoring race.
Let’s take a look at last week’s notable player performances:
WHO’S HOT
F – Nicklas Backstrom – Last 4 GP, 3 goals and 8 assists
F – Alex Ovechkin – Last 4 GP, 6 goals and 5 assists
F – Phil Kessel – Last 3 GP, 3 goals and 4 assists
F – Mike Knuble – Last 4 GP, 2 goals and 4 assists
F – Steven Stamkos – Last 3 GP, 4 goals and 2 assists
D – Jack Johnson – Last 3 GP, 1 goal and 3 assists
D – Mike Green – Last 3 GP, 2 goals and 2 assists
D – Kyle Cumiskey – Last 4 GP, 1 goal and 2 assists
D – Zdeno Chara –Last 4 GP, 1 goal and 2 assists
D – Roman Hamrlik – Last 4 GP, 1 goal and 2 assists
G – Steve Mason – Last 2 GP, 2-0-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA, 2 SO
G – Anton Khudobin – Last 2 GP, 2-0-0, .979 SV%, 0.86 GAA
G – J.S. Giguere – Last 3 GP, 2-1-0, .965 SV%, 1.01 GAA, 2 SO
WHO’S COLD
F – John Madden – Last 12 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -6 rating
F – Steve Reinprecht – Last 11 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -5 rating
F – Jeff Halpern- Last 10 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -5 rating
F – Ratislav Olesz – Last 10 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -4 rating
F – Rod Brind’Amour – Last 7 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -2 rating
D – Brent Sopel – Last 17 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -3 rating
D – Mattias Ohlund – Last 17 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -5 rating
D – Michal Roszival – Last 16 GP, 0 goals, 0 assist and a -3 rating
D – Matt Hunwick – Last 13 GP, 0 goals, 0 assist and -5 rating
D – Matt Carle – Last 12 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists and a -3 rating
G – Rick DiPietro – Last 4 GP, 0-3-0, 0.882 SV% and 3.02 GAA
G – Martin Brodeur –Last 5 GP, 2-3-0, .880 SV% and 3.19 GAA
G – Roberto Luongo – Last 2 GP, 1-2-0, .888 SV% and 3.28 GAA
WAIVER WATCH
Goalies don’t get much hotter than Antero Niittymaki is right now. Niittymaki has won four straight and seven of his last eight games. During that span he has a 1.12 GAA, a .964 save percentage and 1 shutout.
The Capitals 14-game win streak came to an end last night, but don’t expect their overall play to suffer. Tom Poti has three goals, 12 points and is a plus-17 in his last 17 games, and he will continue to do well on a hot Capitals team.
Colorado’s eighth-round pick from the 2004 draft, Brandon Yip, has gotten off to a quick start in the NHL. After playing only 6 AHL games, Yip made the jump to the big league and has 5 goals in his last four games.
DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT
After posting 37 points in his first 35 games, Dustin Penner has fallen off the face of the Earth. He only has 7 points in his last 20 games and is a minus-8 since the beginning of December.
The owner of one of the most ridiculous contracts in NHL history, Rick DiPietro has struggled since coming back from injury. He has now lost four straight, and will split starts with Dwayne Roloson until he returns to form.
With the arrival of Kari Lehtonen in Dallas, Alex Auld will likely be moved down the depth chart. It could work out for him in the end if Turco gets traded, but either way he is not a great fantasy option, with 16 goals against in his last 5 games.
INJURY REPORT
There has been much speculation over Ryan Getzlaf’s ankle injury. The goal is to have him skating by Saturday, which only leaves three days before Canada’s first Olympic contest. Jeff Carter will be ready to play if Getzlaf doesn’t pull through.
Hurricanes ‘tender Cam Ward was scheduled to see a back specialist on Monday, and rumour has it that he could be shut down for the season. The ‘Canes have played very well lately, but this Ward’s injury will hurt their chances of climbing out of the league basement.
Sam Gagner recently had an MRI done on his injured knee, and the test revealed only bruising. He will be re-evaluated after the Olympic break, and shouldn’t miss too many Oilers games.
Playing through an injury is risky business, and Benoit Pouliot knows this all too well. Pouliot was attempting to play through an upper body injury, but was recently put on the IR. He will not be back until after the Olympics.
Surprisingly healthy to this point in the season, Marian Gaborik was cut by Henrik Lundqvist’s skate in practice on Tuesday, and sat out Wednesday’s game vs. the Thrashers. He is only day-to-day at this point, and might even play Friday against the Pens.
ON THE MOVE
Kari Lehtonen: May join the Stars within the week, but likely won’t make an impact this year. Has performed very ordinarily in a brief conditioning stint with the Chicago Wolves. If one of Marty Turco or Alex Auld are shipped out, he could see a few starts, but Kari’s real value begins next year and beyond.
Ivan Vishnevskiy: Could one day QB the Thrasher powerplay with Zach Bogosian, but for now will stick in the AHL.
Niclas Wallin: Just as insignificant a fantasy player as before his trade from Carolina.
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen: Tollefsen translates to “fringe defenseman” in Norwegian.
Johnny Oduya: Even strength ice time is around 20 minutes in Atlanta, but not getting a sniff at the powerplay.
Niclas Bergfors: Actually led the Devils in power play goals (8) prior to being dealt. Bergfors has 3 points in under 12 minutes of ice time per game with Atlanta. His ice time should increase as he becomes acquainted with head coach John Anderson; He should play a bigger role offensively in Atlanta than New Jersey.
Ilya Kovalchuk: Perhaps the shock of changing teams has taken its toll on Kovalchuk, who has no goals and 2 assists in 4 GP with the Devils. Don’t worry folks, Kovie will get hot down the stretch.
Anssi Salmela: Not really a point producer at any point in his career.
Check back every Thursday morning for the Fantasy Focus, and don’t forget to check out our line combos section, updated throughout the week. We will feature OLYMPIC LINE COMBOS, updated daily throughout the Vancouver Olympic Games!
Rod Tidwell on Thu, 11th Feb 2010 10:46 pm
That Tollefson deal has MAJOR implications for the Norwegian Olympic team…