Well last night featured ten NHL games and it seemed every single one of them had a side plot. There were shutouts, odd goals, and then there was the sublime. If you think about it, last night had a little of everything fantasy for everyone. This will be a very short and concise edition and for that, we apologize. After all there is a show tonight and it will be a busy night recapping the early parts of Week 2 in fantasy hockey, the NHL, and more.
At any rate, here are a few things last night that caught our eye……hopefully they caught yours fantasy hockey fans.
OUR EYES WERE HOOKED ON……
1. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers — All he did was make 40 saves in a spectacular shutout of the Vancouver Canucks. He held the fort down as the Rangers were badly outshot then watched as the Rangers erupted for four third period goals. It may have been the weirdest display of hockey we have seen all year but Lundqvist has held them in all year and deserved much better than he has received from the fantasy hockey gods. Maybe last night was that gentle stick tap and it sure made owners very happy.
2. Matt Read, F, Philadelphia Flyers — WHO? Read is a very talented player who had the potential of making an impact, but who knew it would be this quick. He had a goal and three assists last night in the 7-2 rout of the Ottawa Senators in Kanata last night. What was more impressive going forward was the simple fact that Read’s puck presence and determination were on full display. If the Flyers see more of that, do not be surprised if he becomes a bonafide Calder Trophy (best rookie) candidate very quickly in all circles.
3. Cam Ward, G, Carolina Hurricanes — In a crazy atmosphere, it was Cam Ward who was more calm than any player last night as the Hurricanes defeated a frustrated Boston Bruins team 4-1 last night in Beantown. His 33 saves, while not all stuff of legend, were still impressive considering the hostile environment. It was tough because yes Ryan Miller had 34 saves against the Montreal Canadiens last night but honestly Ward’s performance was just a hair better. Either way one really could not have gone wrong.
SCHEDULE TIME:
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg | at | Toronto | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
Yes there is only one game on the schedule sadly…….
HOOKED ON A DREAM………
1. Phil Kessel, F, Toronto Maple Leafs — Kessel has been riding the wave and Winnipeg is another team that comes in where Kessel could excel. There is something about playing average to below average teams early on that makes a guy very attractive fantasy wise. This is a guy you should have even when the droughts come this year at least.
2. Alex Burmistov, F, Winnipeg Jets — Basically this kid is for real and most everyone knows it. Sure he is going to have some growing pains like every youngster but the learning curve is so high for this Russian. Clearly tonight Toronto does not present him with many challenges and points could be had. He is another one on our Calder Watch.
3. Dion Phaneuf, D, Toronto Maple Leafs — Four points in his last four games and the hits have been coming plenty. If Phaneuf can recapture those Calgary days, he will be a scary opponent all year. The problem is Phaneuf like Toronto goes into funks that are unexplained. If he can just keep playing the way he is then all is fine. Tonight is a good one more than likely for the defenseman.
Good luck tonight everyone and see you for the show…..
