Thank you NHL.com once again for the nice goal footage there. Last night featured ONLY one game in the NHL as the Anaheim Ducks fell to the Phoenix Coyotes at home 5-4 at Honda Center. What will be noted is that Jonas Hiller gave up 5 goals on 19 shots. Something we have noted is that Hiller is still fighting something (not vertigo). Clearly he is not seeing the puck and reacting like he did in the first half of last year and it is something we will keep an eye on. As the book was closed on Week 2 in most fantasy leagues, last night provided some with a nice boost but for most, they got a collective kick in the groin.
We also clearly liked what Keith Yandle did last night and honestly Yandle just has to do everything for this Phoenix defenseman to be a fantasy stud. It does sound like an awful lot to ask of one guy but he could use an uptick in minutes (only played 20:28 last night). What would be the harm of playing him say 24-25 minutes. He is a young buck Dave Tippett, why not get on the horse and ride it a little harder? That is just some straight food for thought with coaches who seem to be hindering their hockey team a bit and fantasy GM’s too.
Something also to be noted is the playing time (or lack thereof) of Bobby Ryan. He played 16:47 last night compared to almost 21:00 for Teemu Selanne. Last I checked, Ryan is a little younger and really it was Selanne’s gaffe that led to a backbreaking goal that ultimately cost Anaheim even a point. Maybe Randy Carlyle should rest the older player a little. Again, this is why we thought Ryan’s fantasy production would be compromised by at least 12-18 points from what projections would have looked like without Selanne in the picture. The oh by the way, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf got around 25:00 of ice time and is a trend that could continue. Think about that a little ladies and gentleman.
Tonight does bring us three more games but there is just something that feels off about this Monday Night that starts Week 3 in most of your leagues out there. Maybe it is the fact that some goalies are getting well deserved breaks or that there are goalies in that are more known for their meltdowns than anything else. Either way, here is the schedule for tonight and thanks to TSN’s Scott Cullen once again.
SCHEDULE TIME:
Monday, October 24, 2011 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | at | Philadelphia | 7:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Florida | at | Montreal | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| NY Rangers | at | Winnipeg | 8:30 PM | Gameday | ||
The Schenn brothers battle along with a night of the goalie backups as at least five backups will be playing for a variety of reasons. There is an air of uncertainty on this Monday Night almost like Week 1 of the season. Wild scoring is something that might be likely given the matchups and how some of these teams normally play.
Quickly this is who we have an eye on for tonight.
KEEP AN EYE ON……
1. Peter Budaj, G, Montreal Canadiens — Budaj will be facing another backup in Florida’s Jakob Markstrom. Markstrom has all the goods to be an NHL goalie except for the experience. Budaj has the reputation for giving up 3 or more goals as he has in now 20 of his last 25 starts (80%). Montreal, on the other hand, is almost expected to break out like they did early on against Winnipeg. Maybe the Habs backup gets a few goals to ease his nerves or makes a few saves in the beginning. Watch out if one slips in because then all bets are off.
2. Honkin On Bobo — This was not really a surprise but hey, Sergei Bobrovsky will get a start against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. The cold is in the goalie matchups but Bobrovsky may be just what Philly needs to get out of the little mini funk they are in. Plus the goalie does have the advantage of playing with the team and that does help some. The Schenn battle is also fascinating as well. Philadelphia should generate offense against a Toronto defense and goaltending that has been suspect at best. It sounds like a perfect recipe for a win.
3. Lundqvist rests — Marty Biron will be in the net tonight for the New York Rangers. He will be facing Chris Mason who has a 3-0 career record against the Rangers. Face it Lundqvist fans, the guy played 37 in a row so he was due for some time off. Wojtek Wolski will play tonight and it will be interesting to see if the lines fall in place or if Coach Tortorella does some line juggling on the go. Either way this is one to keep an eye on tonight particularly in the first ten minutes. You may have a pretty good idea of how this one will go.
Good luck tonight as Week 3 gets started and we will be live tweeting as we always do.
