Tampa Bay’s comeback could mirror a lot of comebacks in fantasy this weekend. Tampa was down 3-1 to Montreal before three unanswered goals pulled them out of the hole and gave them a 4-3 victory. Watching the video and it still is hard to believe that Montreal blew a 3-1 lead in the third period. Yet it did happen. Tampa has a majority of home games in the second half and they will need a lot more magic like this just to make the playoffs and an uptick in production from Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier would not hurt either.
Okay let’s take a quick look back at some of the other happenings from last night…..
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A LOOK BACK:
Henrik Sedin, C, Vancouver Canucks — The Sedins combined for three goals and three assists last night against the Anaheim Ducks. Henrik had a goal with two primary assists as the Ducks were easily subdued at home 5-2. Clearly the twins were very active against a team with a very inferior defense which was great for fantasy owners. These two players do not get the fantasy press they should and it is why we have them as the best fantasy duo in the NHL.
Steve Mason, G, Columbus Blue Jackets — The embattled Columbus goaltender, who has been a train wreck at times, put it together with a 36 save performance last night that left several Dallas Stars players scratching their heads. The first 20 was huge as Mason stopped 18 of 19 shots and kept Columbus in it until Rick Nash scored twice in the 4-1 win. That is two really good starts in a row for Mason who may be finally beginning to turn around what was a nightmare of a start.
Chris Mason, G, Winnipeg Jets — Winnipeg backup Chris Mason has quietly put together a pretty solid season and that has kept Winnipeg in playoff contention. A 31 save shutout in a 1-0 OT win was big and yes it was against the lowest scoring team in the Los Angeles Kings but it was a bagel nonetheless. This lowered Mason’s GAA to 1.91 and a .927 save percentage with a 5-2 record. Maybe he should get a few starts.
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SCHEDULE TIME:
Friday, December 30, 2011 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | at | Washington | 7:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Calgary | at | Ottawa | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| NY Rangers | at | Florida | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| Nashville | at | St. Louis | 8:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Detroit | at | Chicago | 8:30 PM | Gameday | ||
Though again it is a light schedule, take a look at some of these games and there are ingredients for some fun times and potentially high scoring efforts. Back to backs galore as some are on the back end and some are on the front end. It is time to take a quick look at who we are keeping an eye on.
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KEEP AN EYE ON……
Ryan Miller, G, Buffalo Sabres — At some point Miller has to play like Ryan Miller, right? If he does not soon, Buffalo faces an unenviable decision. The 2010 Silver Medal winner has given up 31 goals in ten games this month and really has not looked anything like the goalie he did in the 09-10 season. It seems like a decade ago since he won the Vezina Trophy. What is he going to have to do to get back the form? He has to be better positionally. New Jersey could have scored at least 5 or 6 times on Miller on Wednesday because Miller, at times, was just not square to shooters and worse. This game in Washington is bigger for the goalie than anyone else. Buffalo has to start winning but Ryan Miller does too.
Corey Crawford, G, Chicago Blackhawks — We know what Jimmy Howard can do as his sub 2.00 GAA indicates along with consistently good play. Crawford has been really good for the last week or so but Detroit presents a different test with three lines that can score. Can the Blackhawks and Crawford handle this? It may be the biggest question to close out 2011 that has ramifications for the rest of the season. This game means way more to Chicago right now even though their record is as good as it is. If Crawford can find a way to win this one, this may be the confidence he needs to have a hot second half. A loss might mean more of the inconsistency we have seen up until now.
Jason Spezza, C, Ottawa Senators — Calgary comes off the front leg of a back to back and Jason Spezza may be licking his chops a little as Ottawa faces a gritty but ripe Flames squad. Spezza is a point a game player as we know but tends to turn it up on Fridays and Saturdays. Just know his 38 points in 37 games this year could be more (he has had a goal and four assists taken away). Spezza will be a handful for Calgary’s defensive corps to handle and he could find some opportunities that would not be normally expected. A multi-point game would not surprise anyone in the least.
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Good luck tonight everyone and we will be live tweeting a bit tonight, including for the WJC. Thanks again for reading and choose wisely for your Fantasy Friday.
