Hockeycentric Fantasy Focus: March 11th, 2010
The Fantasy Focus is back! After a month-long hiatus, we bring you the most productive Fantasy players since the return from the Olympic break.
The Vancouver Canucks’ forwards have been dominant at the end of their NHL record 14-game road trip. The Sedin sisters, Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson have combined for 13 goals and 24 assists in their last six games.
Canadians Drew Doughty and Chris Pronger have kept up their elevated play from the Olympic tournament and show no signs of stopping.
And Steven Stamkos is the league’s hottest player, currently riding a 17-game point streak, the longest in Tampa Bay’s history. He has amassed 16 goals and 31 points during the streak, which dates back to January 18th.
Let’s take a look at the notable player performances since March 1st:
WHO’S HOT
F – Henrik Sedin – Since March 1st: 2 goals and 8 assists
F – Daniel Sedin – Since March 1st: 1 goal and 9 assists
F – Mikael Samuelsson – Since March 1st: 7 goals and 2 assists
F – Ryan Kesler – Since March 1st: 3 goals and 5 assists
F – Steven Stamkos – Since March 1st: 6 goals and 2 assists
D – Bryan McCabe – Since March 1st: 1 goal and 8 assists
D – Christian Ehrhoff – Since March 1st: 2 goals and 4 assists
D – Drew Doughty – Since March 1st: 2 goals and 4 assists
D – Mike Green – Since March 1st, 3 goals and 3 assists
D – Chris Pronger – Since March 1st: 6 assists
G – Ilya Brygalov – Last 3 GP: 3-0-0, .958 SV%, 1.30 GAA, 1 SO
G – Jaroslav Halak – Last 2 GP: 2-0-0, .942 SV%, 1.73 GAA
G – Brent Johnson – Last 2 GP: 2-0-0, .938 SV%, 1.32 GAA, 2 SO
WHO’S COLD
F – Ratislav Olesz – Last 15 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -3 rating
F – Marek Svatos – Last 7 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -1 rating
F – Radek Dvorak- Last 7 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -6 rating
F – Daniel Paille – Last 7 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -1 rating
F – Michael Ryder – Last 6 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -3 rating
D – Matt Hunwick – Last 20 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -10 rating
D – Tomas Kaberle – Last 6 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -7 rating
D – Dion Phaneuf – Last 6 GP: 0 goals, 0 assist and a -2 rating
D – Roman Hamrlik – Last 5 GP: 0 goals, 0 assist and +5 rating
D – Ed Jovanovski – Last 5 GP: 0 goals, 0 assists and a -3 rating
G – JS Giguere – Last 4 GP: 0-3-1, 0.882 SV% and 3.45 GAA
G – Ondrej Pavelev – Last 5 GP: 0-4-1, .879 SV% and 3.58 GAA
G – Mike Smith – Last 2 GP: 0-2-0, .851 SV% and 4.16 GAA
WAIVER WATCH
Of the few St. Louis Blues living up to or surpassing expectations this year, Alex Steen may be one of the most prominent. Steen was a bottom-6 forward for much of last season, but has elevated his game with a career-high 18 goals this year and 6 points in his last 3 games.
Colorado’s newest player, Peter Mueller, has recorded a point in every single game since joining the Avalanche. A key acquisition at the deadline, Mueller has two goals and three assists in his first four games with the Avs.
You can add goaltender Michael Leighton to the list of successful waiver pickups over the last two seasons. Leighton made his first start for the Flyers on December 21st, and went 8-0-1 in his first 10 games in Philly. He has continued to put up impressive numbers, including a .908 save percentage and a 2.71 goals against average.
Especially for the safe plus/minus boost, take a look at Joe Corvo and Eric Belanger. The way Washington produces offensively, both of these players will have some big nights before long.
Lee Stempniak must really be thrilled playing in a low-pressure market on a team headed for the playoffs. He looks re-energized in Phoenix and has 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 games.
DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT
Veteran goaltender J.S. Giguere had a superb start to his career in Toronto, posting back-to-back shutouts in early February. Since that time, he has yet to record a win, and has posted a below average .882 save percentage. Not only that, but Ron Wilson is now alternating his starting goaltenders.
After potting 23 goals in 55 games this season, Patric Hornqvist was on pace for a 35-goal season. Since the beginning of February, he has yet to record a goal, and is in the midst of a 10-game goalless drought.
INJURY REPORT
After taking a shot off his foot on Saturday night, the Thrashers rookie Evander Kane will miss three weeks due to a fractured left foot. He obtained the injury while taking a shot off the foot on Saturday night vs. the Lightning.
One of the year’s brightest waiver pickups, Rob Schremp, will miss the rest of the season with a torn meniscus.
Bruins forward Marc Savard will likely miss the rest of the season due to a concussion. Savard was nailed by Penguins goon Matt Cooke earlier this week, re-igniting a debate over hits to the head that dominated the GM meetings in Florida. Cooke was given a telephone hearing and was not suspended. Boston’s chances to win games and score goals diminish greatly with Savard going down.
Surprisingly successful rookie Brandon Yip will be out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury he sustained on Monday night vs. the Red Wings. Yip will likely be replaced on the Avs second line by Milan Hejduk, who recently returned to the lineup.
Sheldon Souray It was once believed that Souray would make it back just after the trade deadline, and could be dealt to a contender. Unfortunately for the Oilers and Sheldon, he will miss the rest of the season with an infection in his injured hand.
Check back every Thursday morning for the Fantasy Focus, and don’t forget to check out our line combos section, updated throughout the week.
UBASHSID IBASHU on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 5:11 am
Hey, No doubt the Matt Cooke hit on Marc Savard was a cheapshot and should have been disciplined, Mark Recchi was still obviously disappointed when he felt the need to DRAG Sidney Crosby into his volley of salvos against the League Commissioner…Your right Mr Recchi, If Sid were to get cheapshotted like that of course everyone would be up in arms, simply because, more than 3 people in the league like Sid, and the same cannot be said about Savard…How else does a guy with his creds. and maybe the best pure passer in the game, not even get invited to an orientation camp for Team Canada, because his Me First reputation preceeded him everywhere he went…I know these old f*cks like Recchi, who I used to love, have a good hate on for Crosby as do the local hockey media…what's funny is they don't know how obvious it is.I know it stings to have your best player taken out…but be a little more responsible when tongue wagging, Matt Cooke hit Savard,…not Crosby!