It is always unfortunate to see injuries but it seems certain players are becoming repeat visitors to the injury wire on a more frequent basis. The latest obviously was Taylor Hall, who suffered a concussion according to Coach Tom Renney. Ascertaining any timetable for a return would just be unwise and premature at this time but safe to say Hall is out at least a week minimum and potentially the rest of the regular season. On the bright side, Jordan Eberle now has 69 points and may still have a shot at an 80 point season. That is not too shabby considering what has gone on in Edmonton this season.
The question becomes on a strange Friday Night, who was the Fantasy POTN? It was quite the tough choice with no easy answers. However, we gave it a shot and this is who we came up with.
================================================
Fantasy POTN:
Jordan Eberle, RW, Edmonton Oilers — Eberle seems to be losing players around him on a recurring basis and sometimes even himself but that does not stop him from averaging right around a point a game. Last night, he accounted for all three points in the 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames, including the game winning goal. There is little more that can be asked of the player who was also a +3 and had three shots on net. Fantasy GM’s should be even more encouraged knowing that next year this is a guy who could easily top 85, maybe even 90 points or more. Eberle is that kind of special talent and the best player on Edmonton hands down.
================================================
QUICK LOOK BACK:
Jonas Hiller, G, Anaheim Ducks — Yes Hiller gave up three goals but let’s be honest here. If he had given up six or seven tonight, no one would have blamed him as the Ducks clearly were gassed early for whatever reason and it showed. Hiller made brilliant save after brilliant save even when down 3-0. That fight kept Anaheim in this one as they battled back later in the game before the dreaded empty netter came. However, it did not diminish a 39 save performance from a goalie who has definitely fought the good fight despite some definitely lapses in confidence this year.
Patrick Sharp, C/W, Chicago Blackhawks — It was not an easy choice here but Sharp has two goals including the game winner in the 4-1 road win over the Dallas Stars. Remember goalie Kari Lehtonen for Dallas came in with back to back shutouts. That streak ended ten seconds in but it was Sharp’s first goal that just made it clear, it was going to be Chicago’s night. The Forward ended the Chicago scoring with a nice snipe early in the third period. While Sharp may never be confused with being a great two way talent, he can definitely put that biscuit in the basket. Fantasy owners take note.
================================================
SCHEDULE TIME:
Saturday, March 17, 2012 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | at | Boston | 1:00 PM | ||
| Pittsburgh | at | New Jersey | 1:00 PM | ||
| Carolina | at | Minnesota | 2:00 PM | ||
| NY Islanders | at | Montreal | 7:00 PM | ||
| Toronto | at | Ottawa | 7:00 PM | ||
| Colorado | at | NY Rangers | 7:00 PM | ||
| St. Louis | at | Tampa Bay | 7:00 PM | ||
| Buffalo | at | Florida | 7:30 PM | ||
| Columbus | at | Vancouver | 10:00 PM | ||
| Nashville | at | Los Angeles | 10:30 PM | ||
| Detroit | at | San Jose | 10:30 PM | ||
There are a nice 11 games on the schedule with three matinees and three late games, sandwiched by five Eastern time zone starts. With that in mind, we work with Ian Gooding and bring you his Pick Six for this weekend in your fantasy hockey leagues.
=============================================
PICK SIX:
Here’s what you need to know as you plan your fantasy team for the weekend. Of course, all of us who have played any kind of fantasy sports know that planning and skill only go so far – you also need the luck o’ the Irish. (Thankfully, my ancestry is one-quarter Irish.)
- Saturday: 22 teams in action
- Sunday: 12 teams in action
- Teams with two weekend games: Carolina, Columbus, Nashville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
- Teams with no weekend games: Dallas
- All other teams play one game.
Saturday starters are projected to be (notables) Ilya Bryzgalov, PHI; Brian Boucher, CAR; Dwayne Roloson, TB; Cory Schneider, VAN; Jimmy Howard, DET. Oh and let’s add in Martin Brodeur amongst the list of confirmed also. Now to those six…..
Martin Havlat, RW, SJ – add/start
The Sharks might be the league’s most disappointing team this season, considering their recent play. One reason might be the injury situation and lack of production of offseason acquisition Havlat, who has scored just two goals in 26 games since donning the teal. Granted, he has 13 assists over that span, but those who drafted him high in hopes that better linemates and a better team would lead to monster numbers have been sadly disappointed. Still, the fact that he was activated from IR on Thursday makes him worth an add this late in the season.
Kris Versteeg, LW, FLA – start
Another injury update: the Panthers will receive a big boost to their hopes of remaining the number three seed in the Eastern Conference with the return of Versteeg on Saturday. The Panthers’ forward has missed the past two weeks with a hip injury, yet he is only two points behind Tomas Fleischmann for the team lead in scoring. Left wing is often the most difficult position to fill among forwards, so Versteeg (49 points in 59 games) seems like a logical choice to be back in lineups.
Jamie McGinn, LW, COL – add/start
McGinn has scored seven goals and two assists in nine games since joining the Avs in a deadline deal that seemed to fly under the radar. He and the Avs were held scoreless against the Devils on Thursday, but his seven goals had been scored over six games after being held without a goal in his first two games with the Avs. A player’s short-term value can be elevated dramatically with a trade, so perhaps former Shark McGinn is this year’s trade deadline sleeper.
Jordan Caron, RW, BOS – add/start
The defending Stanley Cup champions are no sure bet to win the Northeast this season, hitting the skids with a four-game losing streak. Nathan Horton’s most recent long-term concussion could be used as an excuse, but Caron has settled in recently to fill the void. Before he was held without a point on Thursday against Florida, Caron had posted points in five of his previous six games, including four goals. In deeper leagues, the former first-round pick could be worth a look.
Brian Boucher, G, CAR – add/start
The overworked Cam Ward will get a rest on Saturday, as Boucher will start against the toothless Minnesota Wild. (Expect Ward to start Sunday’s divisional matchup with the Jets.) Two interesting stats at play: 1) The Hurricanes give up more shots on goal than any other team in the league, and 2) the Wild have scored the fewest number of goals of any team in the league. Boucher might not be the sexiest goalie option on your waiver wire, but the math suggests that he could help your save percentage on Saturday.
Johan Franzen, RW, DET – bench
Much to my chagrin on a weekend in which I need him most, Franzen doesn’t seem likely to suit up on Saturday against San Jose. The Mule left Friday’s practice early with back spasms, saying that he wouldn’t play if they didn’t improve the next day. Franzen is not a zero percent chance to play against San Jose, but he could be your odd man out if you needed to make a decision.
==============================================
Good luck everyone on your fantasy hockey weekends. We will be live at The Rock this afternoon as the New Jersey Devils face the Pittsburgh Penguins. Also for a special treat, we will be on Sirius/XM in the afternoon talking some fantasy hockey with Ray Flowers. Thanks again for reading.
