Fantasy Hockey Playoff ONE (4/16)

Pekka Rinne is one of the main reasons some fantasy poolies are smiling but far from the only one. Other goalies have stepped up and delivered in these playoffs honestly. Today’s edition again focuses on what has been good and not so good after five days and nights of postseason action.

What we decided to do was tough on the surface but actually pretty easy. Let’s go Clint Eastwood on this and give you “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly”.

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THE GOOD

Braden Holtby, G, Washington Capitals

Who saw this coming but it cannot be all explained off by Dale Hunter finally getting the Capitals to buy into a system. The bottom line is Holtby has given up TWO goals in the postseason so far in games that have gone to OT (1 win, 1 loss). The Caps goalie has faced the far better chances as opposed to Tim Thomas. Young players do have a history of coming in and setting the world on fire (Patrick Roy and Jean Sebastien-Giguere). Holtby also has a .973 save percentage and is the main reason why this series is not 0-2 against Boston.

Claude Giroux, C/W, Philadelphia Flyers

Giroux started off a little slow but then burst apart the world with a six point Game 2 performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins (3 goals, 3 assists). Overall, Giroux has 4 goals, 4 assists, and a +5 in the three games against Pittsburgh. Giroux with the help of Jaromir Jagr and company has played far more disciplined than Sidney Crosby and company. That has been the biggest difference in a series that had many thinking it would be 2-1 Pens instead of 3-0 Flyers. Giroux is a major reason why as his leadership and production have rubbed off.

Tim Thomas, G, Boston Bruins

Not many expected Tim Thomas to be in a dogfight against the Capitals with another goalie but he has matched his counterpart almost save to save with a 1-1 record, 0.83 GAA, and .965 save percentage. Thomas has had to make some high quality saves but Holtby has gotten the headlines because of his age and “newness” if you will. Game 3 tonight will definitely be a key as Thomas goes to Washington. This may be a series changer for one of the goalies.

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THE BAD

Zach Parise, W, New Jersey Devils

Here is what you need to know. Zero goals on 12 shots and seven scoring chances describes Parise’s postseason so far. How about some added insult to injury? Your captain should be composed, yes. However, when you, as a Captain, do not show some anger in your ability to finish and lead your team out like a bunch of zombies, that is a problem! Game 3 better see a better Parise or New Jersey is really in some trouble.

Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks

This may be a bit unfair but the Canucks I saw last night by all rights should have won Game 3 over the Los Angeles Kings. However, the Canucks found ways not to score as opposed to putting pucks in the net. No goals of support for Cory Schneider masks the fact that Alain Vigenault had to make this move in the first place. Roberto Luongo could not make the critical stops in Game 1 and Game 2. There were times he looked very good but too many times where he did not. The fact that Luongo and even a guy like Henrik Lundqvist still probably plays too deep in the crease, it is a problem. Does Luongo even see the ice in Game 4? That is a question that truly does not have an answer. However, fan opinion seems to suggest more Schneider than Luongo.

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THE UGLY:

THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS???????

It was one that is hard to believe but fantasy ugly does not go to the Vancouver Canucks. It goes to the Penguins who are down 0-3 and look nothing like the team they were over the second half. Sidney Crosby has a few points, so does Evgeni Malkin but the breakout games have not happened. There are no Penguins in the scoring leaders and Marc Andre-Fleury has a 6.34 GAA and .798 save percentage. Dan Bylsma has no answers as his team has been suckered right into the hole and they cannot get out. Fantasy wise the only way the Penguins are going to climb out of this is together, otherwise Game 4 will be their last.

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