This has been a fun November but sadly it is coming to an end. December brings the real beginning of fantasy blues. It is something that should never be joked about. The video above is from what wild early month game on November 4th where Dallas rallied to defeat Colorado 7-6 in OT. It was probably one of the fantasy games of the year. Now no one is sure as to what will happen tonight but I can tell you it will not be dull as both teams come in banged up.
Banged up seems to the word that best describes the NHL. As of this morning, there were 134 injuries up on the board and though a few players are likely to come back tonight, it just seems the rash of injuries is becoming mind boggling like it was late last season. Think about it. Kari Lehtonen is on the IR with a groin injury and so is Jaromir Jagr err will be. Fantasy teams are trying to wade into the muck with some pretty unlikely combinations at this point. Usually this is something you see in February and March but the 2011-12 season has been anything but normal.
Just look at some of these on pace for numbers:
- Alex Ovechkin (Washington) — 64 pts
- Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim) — 56 pts
- Semyon Varalmov (Colorado) — 21-32-3, 3.13 GAA
- Ville Leino (Buffalo) — 20 pts
- Eric Staal (Carolina) — 35 pts
Those are some pretty scary stats there. Five guys that probably could have been a pretty good foundation for a fantasy team and they have pretty much stunk up the entire bed for so many. Honestly just when all hope seems lost, we enter into Week 8 in fantasy hockey.
Here is today’s schedule for Monday, November 28th.
SCHEDULE TIME:
Monday, November 28, 2011 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | at | Minnesota | 7:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| Dallas | at | Colorado | 9:00 PM | Gameday | ||
| Nashville | at | Edmonton | 9:30 PM | Gameday | ||
| San Jose | at | Los Angeles | 10:30 PM | Gameday | ||
Yes there are just four games on the schedule tonight but some very interesting battles including the Battle Of California. Can Jonathan Quick get some goal support? The Sharks will not be an easy opponent tonight. Quick despite a .930 save percentage is just 9-6-4 which technically is a below .500 goalie just counting losses (9-10). Antti Niemi has been better than Quick of late for San Jose so this could be another one of those close 3-2 type of games and really it seems San Jose could come out on top here.
Dallas and Colorado is anyone’s guess but with who is starting, expect some goals to be scored. Semyon Varlamov Vs. Andrew Raycroft does not exactly inspire solid goaltending right now. Both offenses have some pop and though injuries have hurt both sides. Expect some pretty high offensive fantasy numbers. You will be happy if you have Dallas and Colorado forwards on this night, maybe even a Sheldon Souray perhaps.
The Edmonton Oilers are our final sort of team to keep your eye on as we see if Taylor Hall (upper body) will play tonight. Regardless, the fastest skating team in the NHL faces a Nashville team that looks to slow them down a bit while trying to get some of their guys in fantasy gear. It shapes up to be a good contrast in styles with solid goaltending on both ends (Rinne Vs. Khabibulin).
As for Tampa Bay and Minnesota, we have no idea what to expect but watch the first 20 and that should give you a pretty good idea how it will go fantasy wise. With that we bid adieu and good luck fantasy hockey fans. We will be live tweeting all evening long with the latest and do not forget Whats Brewin on at 10pm ET tonight on Blog Talk Radio.
