It is time for another wild Saturday in your fantasy hockey leagues. The strangest Saturday in some time because two of the biggest loads of games were Wednesday and Thursday Nights! Though there are only 11 games on the docket, it seems like everyone has experienced this kind of strange feeling like we have been here before with 11 or more games in three of the last four nights. That is just the kind of fantasy week it has been.
So honestly let us take a quick look back at what we thought was Beast Mode and what was Team Turkey. Now it is time to bring some heat hopefully.
Beast Mode………….
1. Jonathan Toews (CHI) — 2 goals, 3 assists, GWG, +3, 6 shots
2. Patrick Sharp (CHI) — Hat Trick, 6 shots
3. Brian Elliott (STL) — 24 shots, shutout
4. Sidney Crosby (PIT) — 3 assists, 2 shots, 2 PIMS
5. Tyler Kennedy (PIT) — 1 goal, 2 assists, 5 shots
6. Claude Giroux (PHI) — 2 goals, 5 shots, +3
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TEAM TUKKEY…………..
1. Craig Anderson (OTT) — 4 saves, 8 shots, quick hook.
2. Alex Semin (WSH) — 0 pts, -2, 2 shots on goal
3. Michal Neuvirth (WSH) — 6 GA, 33 shots, bad save %.
4. Jhonas Enroth (BUF) — 4 GA, 18 shots, HOOKED
5. Jonas Hiller (ANA) — 5 GA, 33 shots, pulled in third
6. Dany Heatley (MIN) — 0 points. -3, 5 shots on goal
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SCHEDULE TIME:
Saturday, November 26, 2011 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY Islanders | at | New Jersey | 1:00 PM | ||
| Philadelphia | at | NY Rangers | 2:00 PM | ||
| Winnipeg | at | Boston | 7:00 PM | ||
| Edmonton | at | Colorado | 7:00 PM | ||
| Washington | at | Buffalo | 7:00 PM | ||
| Pittsburgh | at | Montreal | 7:00 PM | ||
| Florida | at | Tampa Bay | 7:00 PM | ||
| Nashville | at | Detroit | 7:00 PM | ||
| Dallas | at | Phoenix | 8:00 PM | ||
| Vancouver | at | San Jose | 10:00 PM | ||
| Chicago | at | Los Angeles | 10:30 PM | ||
Talk about yet another packed night with a lot of starts on display. PLEASE NOTE that there are two early games so get in your roster changes and moves early. No one wants to be left in the cold on that one at all.
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Now here is the Pick Six from Ian Gooding. This should be a lot of fun for everyone……
Just like many NHL teams, the Pick Six is playing back-to-backs on Friday and Saturday. Following a busy Black Friday, which you hopefully spent more time watching hockey than shopping, Saturday also provides plenty of action with 11 games on the schedule, meaning still more roster choices in daily leagues. Don’t forget that there are more afternoon starts on Saturday, all of which happen to be old Patrick Division clubs (Islanders at Devils, 1 p.m. ET; Flyers at Rangers, 2 p.m. ET).
Here are my players of interest for Saturday:
Jordan Eberle, RW, EDM – start
In his second NHL season, Eberle is moving up the ranks toward elite status at the right wing position. The sophomore forward, who is playing on a line with fellow youngsters Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, has 12 points (4g-8a) in his last six games while maintaining a point-per-game pace this season. It’s tough keeping Eberle – or his other two linemates, for that matter – out of your starting lineup right now.
Tomas Fleischmann, LW, FLA – start
I’ve mentioned Stephen Weiss and Kris Versteeg from the Panthers’ surprisingly successful top line, so now it’s Flash’s turn. Fleischmann has a four-game point streak and is up to 23 points (10g-13a) and +16 in 22 games. Don’t forget that he was a point-per-game player with Colorado last season until a blood clot in his leg forced him out for the season. The hit to the head from Andre Deveaux (which resulted in a three-game suspension) won’t matter, as Fleischmann returned to the game and should be fine for Saturday.
Jason Garrison, D, FLA – start
Another benefactor of all the sunshine in Florida is Garrison. The Panthers’ blueliner has come out of virtually nowhere to score eight goals this season, including four goals on the power play. Garrison had only five goals last season, but new Panthers coach Kevin Dineen has been successful in his idea to use Garrison’s cannon shot on the Panthers’ power play. Don’t expect Garrison to be the second coming of Bobby Orr, but he is at least worth keeping in your lineup against an underachieving Tampa team on Saturday.
Blake Comeau, RW, CGY – add
Comeau won’t play in his first game in a Flames uniform until Sunday, but he’s worth an add in very deep leagues out there. Players who score 24 goals the previous season don’t usually end up on the waiver wire, which is why it should be no surprise that he was scooped up, even though he hasn’t yet scored this season. The directionless Flames have the league’s widest collection of third-line forwards, so Comeau should fit right in. If he makes a good first impression, he might become a mainstay on one of the top two scoring lines.
Patric Hornqvist, RW, NSH – bench
There may not be a player in the league who is more red hot and ice cold at various points of the season than Hornqvist. After failing to record a point in his first seven games, Hornqvist hit the twine in six consecutive games while on a seven-game point streak. Now he is back to frigid, having been held without a point in six consecutive games. Hornqvist can score a lot for fantasy teams, but he can sure be frustrating to own. Keep him on your bench until he starts his next run.
Semyon Varlamov, G, COL – bench
I’ll explain my reasons for benching Varlamov from a recent email from reader Bruce in Toledo.
Ian, I am in a 10 team head to head league. I lucked out in the draft getting Pekka Rinne, Tomas Vokoun and Varlamov. Varly has been the spare and I recently became enamored with the Blues resurgence and grabbed Jaroslav Halak off the waiver wire for Varly, but am having second thoughts. I’m thinking of reversing this trade, but the Avs haven’t impressed lately. Your thoughts?
Bruce in Toledo
Hi Bruce,
After watching the Avalanche play the Canucks last night, I don’t believe that the Avs will be a very good team this season. I’ve always thought Varlamov is a decent goalie, but it’s hard to string together many wins if the team in front of you always seems to be outshot like the Avs are most nights. Although Halak started this season in the tank and has only 3 wins in 12 tries, Varlamov has not won a single game in November and has a 4.18 GAA for the month. I’d stick with what you have. (In other words, bench Varly against a hot Edmonton attack on Saturday.)
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THREE FOR THE ROAD:
Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils — Yes the numbers have not been all that great but things have to get better for the goalie right? He was hung out to dry in a 35 save effort against Columbus on Wednesday Night and at times he looks like the goalie of old and then again sometimes he appears to be nearing 40. Which one will show up tomorrow is really anyone’s guess? However I can tell you that Brodeur at home against the Islanders has not been a bad bet in the past. This start could actually be a bit more pivotal as to the Brodeur / Johan Hedberg timeshare.
Tim Thomas, G, Boston Bruins — Thomas is probably the hottest goalie in the last month and maybe hottest player depending on how fantasy scoring works in your leagues. His 28 FP in his last 15 in ESPN leagues alone is just a sick number but think about his sub 2.00 GAA in November. Think about winning all those starts minus one and all the help that our loyal Boston friends have given us to endure some of the fantasy gold. Winnipeg may actually be a pretty sneaky test. Let’s see if Thomas gets past this “trap game”.
Anze Kopitar, F, Los Angeles Kings — The Kings and fantasy owners alike need Kopitar to develop that well versed nature. Chicago gives up quite a few goals and Kopitar is this a big power fowardl with sk. At any rate, fantasy motives should be clear. It will be a good way to see how Kopitar handles some of the ressure. We do know that Chicago is a bit tired and yesh it will be time to drink if you have Corey Crawford high up on your fantasy rosters. Stay tuned!
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Well that is it for now. There is going to be lots of changes to your weekland statings. It is now time to see how it flies so ask questions and let us know what you have used to ride your team up the standings or what could help move the numbers up to your favor.
