Now with the time being short and some technical difficulties, we still bring you the Fantasy Hockey ONE in just a miniature edition. With only two games today and yet ten yesterday, it is a weird sort of day to reflect (it is Presidents Day). So let’s down to business and quickly before time runs out on this one.
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Fantasy POTN:
Nicklas Backstrom, G, Minnesota Wild — Sure there was Blake Wheeler with four assists but Backstrom shut out the Boston Bruins to the tune of 48 saves yesterday afternoon in Minnesota. Minnesota absolutely needed a performance like this because they were pretty well outplayed in every way except for on the scoreboard (they won 2-0). Did this stop the bleeding? Yes. Will it turn things around for the Wild? That answer is unknown. Honestly, Backstrom would have to almost play this way every game out for the Wild to have a chance. His numbers should slightly uptick.
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An EXPRESS Look Back:
Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg Jets — Wheeler is on fire and we keep saying this but him and Bryan Little have really performed well. If they keep these two together and more importantly healthy, Winnipeg has this long homestand to take advantage of and rack up points. The fantasy implication is simple. Wheeler had four points last night and Little had two goals. Teams are having a tough time stopping them particuarly at the MTS Centre with both averaging right around a point a game at home. They are at least good starts for Week 19 and Wheeler ironically could really be used in Boston right about now. But for your fantasy teams, the right winger has been a nice productive depth player.
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SCHEDULE TIME:
Monday, February 20, 2012 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | at | NY Islanders | 1:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Washington | at | Carolina | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
It is always good to have a nice light schedule on a Monday. This gets the fantasy juices to relax just a hair with the long week ahead. What we decided to do today was something different as we merge in “Pick The Winner” into the mix. Here it goes…..
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PICK THE WINNER:
Washington Capitals @ Carolina Hurricanes – CAPITALS TO WIN (-117)
(Note: I’m risking 2.34 units to win 2 unit)
**this is a 2 unit play**
Not a full write up as today is a holiday, but I’ve got a few points here. The Capitals will probably have a lot of money come in on them, but for good reasons. The Capitals are fighting for a playoff spot sitting just on the outside, and can actually move into a playoff spot with a win. Washington has Mike Green back in the lineup, who can always make a difference back there. The Hurricanes are without Cam Ward and Tuomo Ruutu, and may be without Chad Larose again tonight. With Ward out Justin Peters will get the start. Peters is 1-3 this season with a 3.65 GAA.
Washington has taken 3 of the 4 meetings between these two teams this season (going 1-1 in Carolina), and has taken 8 of their last 10 versus the Hurricanes which includes 5 of the last 6 in Carolina. Although I don’t think this is a no-brainer pick with the way the Capitals have played all season long, I do think they come out hard tonight and get the Hurricanes who are coming off a road loss and 5 of their last 7 on the road. The Caps should create enough offense to get a few by Peters and win tonight.
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As For The Isles And Ottawa…….
Obviously the first lines are key for both teams but ironically keep an eye on the Daniel Alfredsson line today. Usually in these afternoon games, Alfredsson’s numbers go up as is typical of his career numbers in games before 7pm ET. It is likely that the John Tavares and Jason Spezza lines wash each other out. Kevin Poulin versus Craig Anderson in net so the first period is very crucial. If a couple early goals are scored, all bets are off and watch the floodgates may open. If not, this could be a low scoring barnburner.
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As always, we will live tweet a little during the afternoon game and then a bit more tonight for the game on NBCSports. Thanks for reading and good luck out there!
