Here is our very first Fantasy Hockey ONE from February…..enjoy everyone.
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Welcome to the offciail debut of Fantasy Hockey ONE here on The Program. So what is going on here is the basic question? Well, it came time for a different way to get your hockey information served for breakfast. This is served differently than most columns out there. We deliberately want this to be easy to digest so you can get the info and get out so to speak.
Now it is time to get started but first it may be time to look back a bit and see what was cooking yesterday.
A Look Back
1. Michael Grabner (NY Islanders) — All Grabner did was continue is amazing streak of cranking out goals. He tallied three more including the game winner in a 7-6 OT win over the Buffalo Sabres. Grabner has scored 15 goals in his last 15 games almost out of seemingly nowhere. When Florida gave up on the talented prospect, it had looked like they had made the right move. However, sometimes these players take time and Grabner was no exception. The wheels were there but the hands had to catch up to those wheels. The biggest fantasy surprise may just be Michael Grabner, who knew hockey fans.
2. Drew Stafford (Buffalo Sabres) — Also in that wild 7-6 game in Buffalo yesterday was a hat trick by the one Buffalo player that people kind of forgot fantasy wise. They will not forget him much longer as he has 23 goals on the season (4 hat tricks). Neither Grabner or Stafford have the most assists in the world compared to goals but let’s face it, in deep leagues goals are hard to come by. Both of these guys should top 30 and maybe even go beyond. Just imagine if Stafford had not missed 20+ games. 33 points in 36 games is hard not to pass up fantasy fans and the availability on Yahoo leagues is especially surprising. Both guys really are (right around 50% in ESPN and 30% for Yahoo). Pick these two up today.
3. Jonathan Quick (LA Kings)
One has to give Jonathan Quick a medal for all the times he has been marked dead in Los Angeles and yet keeps coming back and delivering performances yesterday like the one in Philadelphia. Forty saves against the top team in the National Hockey League will get you noticed especially when it is in Philadelphia but that is just what Quick did. An early second period goal by Drew Doughty held up amazingly as the Kings goalie made save after save. Somewhere Mike Richards and Jeff Carter still have to be wondering what they had to do to score on the guy. It was a real tour de force performance and a much needed one as the Los Angeles Kings try to stay in the playoff race.
Schedule Time
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | at | St. Louis | 8:00 PM | ||
| Washington | at | Phoenix | 8:00 PM | ||
| Calgary | at | Colorado | 10:00 PM | ||
Yes there are just three games on the schedule but definitely some fantasy implications even with the light action.
OUR BEST BETS
1. Alex Ovechkin (Washington) — Simply too obvious and his numbers suggest a Phoenix uprising.
2. Jarome Iginla (Calgary) — Iginla has solid career numbers against the Avs and the Avs are reeling.
3. Jarosalav Halak (St. Louis) — The Blues have to start winning and Halak is in a corner. Could be good odds.
WHAT TO AVOID
1. The Sedin Twins — It sounds crazy enough but with the Blues season on the line, expect “When The Saints Go Marching In” with the bells often.
2. Whichever goalie in net for the Avs — Whether Craig Anderson or Peter Budaj wind up in net, the problems are the same. Colorado gives up too many goals.
3. Keith Yandle — I know the points have been coming but he is in for a long night with the likes of Alexander Ovechkin. Expect Ed Jovanovski to have loads of fun too in a not so good way.
The ONE will keep it rocking every morning on The Program. Some of the headings will change a bit on a daily basis but the same core idea applies. We encourage questions as the trade deadline and fantasy trade deadlines as well. Good luck out there!
