The ten game schedule lived up to the billing last night as there were some blowouts, some fantasy standouts, and then there was the ugly. The video above may have been the fastest shootout in NHL history so I challenge all to prove it right or wrong. However there were other things that happened in the league last night that had many scratching their heads (some in a very bad way).
INJURY ALERT:
Rick DiPietro (concussion) — Sadly DiPietro does have a concussion from take a shit off the mask in practice. Yes we said practice. Not that you were going to or should have ever drafted Rick DiPietro on your team but there is no timetable on his return. Basically you have been warned to stay far away but just watch out for Mike Milbury’s shoe. It really is a sad situation for a goalie who had so much promise.
Martin Brodeur (upper body) — Brodeur left the first period of last night’s game with an apparently upper body injury around the shoulder area. It has been made clear that he is traveling with the team to Nashville for Saturday’s game. Will he start? Honestly, there may be a better case of valor here so stay tuned.
A LOOK BACK:
1. John Tavares, F, New York Islanders — Was this even fair? Tavares had four points in the first period of last night’s 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Two goals and two assists in an outburst that caught Tampa very much off guard and put fantasy hockey pundits and fans alike on notice. This is the kind of game to expect every so often from Tavares and company. The Islanders are just this type of team where they will be cold for a few, hot for a few, etc. This could set up for a very interesting meeting with the New York Rangers tomorrow night.
2. Kari Lehtonen, G, Dallas Stars — Lehtonen really does have to stay healthy in order for Dallas to have any kind of chance of contending for a playoff berth. We say this over and over again because literally Dallas needs him to hold the fort most nights for a win. Lehtonen made 36 saves against the St. Louis Blues last night as Dallas won 3-2. His positional play along with lateral movement just make the only question about him be is health of course. He is a “must start” while he rides this hot streak.
3. Miikka Kiprusoff, G, Calgary Flames — Kiprusoff stood the tallest in a third period last night that had Montreal outshoot Calgary 12-1. In all, Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 35 of 36 shots in the 4-1 win in Montreal. It seemed Montreal was a team that had an easy target in Calgary with maybe some players that broke out but Kiprusoff would have none of that. This was a vital performance for owners of the Calgary goalie who has been embattled in many fantasy circles all summer. But for one night, he was the worth the risk.
SCHEDULE TIME:
Friday, October 14, 2011 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina | at | Buffalo | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| San Jose | at | Anaheim | 10:00 PM | Gameday | ||
So though there is a very light schedule, both games do have some potential fantasy impact. As always, we have our three to watch and here it comes.
THREE TO WATCH:
1. Adam-Vanek-Pominville (Buffalo) — The first line of Luke Adam, Thomas Vanek, and Jason Pominville had a very nice European trip as they racked up 4 points each. Tonight they get a Carolina team who has a propensity for giving up goals in bunches and to first line players. This could be really interesting. Then again Buffalo-Carolina matchups are very peculiar in nature and can feature a little of everything. Keep aware so to speak.
2. Cam Ward, G, Carolina Hurricanes — This is the one time where Ward could steal a win. The Carolina goalie tends to get up for these games as Buffalo was one of the toughest obstacles on the way to the Stanley Cup in 2006. If Carolina is to try and get their season started, then tonight’s game is more important for Ward to have a solid performance more than anything for the team’s peace of mind and Ward’s.
3. Teemu Selanne, F, Anaheim Ducks — Again the age showed a bit in Europe for Selanne but now the second season of sorts begins as Anaheim faces San Jose in a late night matchup on the Left Coast. Now can Selanne revigorate himself in a big game against a team that he traditionally does well against? That is the question of the night. It is one that gets unwrapped possibly starting tonight.
Good luck with your fantasy teams and we will see you tomorrow for another edition of the Fantasy Hockey ONE.
