NOT SO LA STORY…….

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The surge of scoring was very temporary for LA as they mustered only a goal in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.  Jonathan Quick was pulled early after allowing three goals and since late in the first period against PHX the other night, they scored only twice.  For a team that has trouble scoring, the Kings sure do the squeeze the stick awfully tight even when they net goals.  It may be the weirdest thing you ever see but really is true.  For fantasy owners of Los Angeles players, what can be done?  Honestly, one feels bad for Jonathan Quick, but if you tried to trade him now, the value would just pale in comparison to what he can actually do.  Even an Anze Kopitar just is not going to fetch much these days.  The market is very sour on LA and for good reason honestly.  They have sunk many fantasy teams this year.

On the bright side, it is time to name our Fantasy POTN and safe to say it is not a member of the Kings.  Let’s see who it is.

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FANTASY POTN:

Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators — This was just too easy as Karlsson sliced up and down the ice against Washington last night like they were just standing still.  He had a goal and two assists and maybe could have had a couple more points.  It was that kind of night for a guy who is just about averaging a point a game and is projected for a 75+ point season (better D than Mike Green too).  Karlsson is improving on both ends of the ice and like we said that shot is starting to hit the back of the net.  The numbers do not lie and the Norris Trophy may just be as good as his.  With guys like Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, and Milan Michalek, something tells me Karlsson will be just fine on your fantasy roster for years to come.  Speaking of…..

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MORE OTTAWA:

Milan Michalek, LW/RW, Ottawa Senators — Michalek was the chief benefactor of Erik Karlsson last night and who would complain.  Michalek had two goals and an assist in all as really Washington had no chance.  The Winger now has 27 goals and 42 assists on the season with an outside shot at a 60 point season if this pace keeps up.  In a simple matter of fact, when it comes to fantasy quality, Michalek is perfect in goals only leagues as he is on pace for at least 36 goals.  Yes his assists are a bit low but his shot percentage is very high at over 16.5%.  He remains a solid start going forward as long as the core stays healthy in Ottawa.

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SCHEDULE TIME:

It is a strange and a bit of a goofy schedule tonight but not without important fantasy matchups.  This always seems to be the case on a Thursday lately.  Do not be discouraged as Ian Gooding comes in with his Pick Six.  Yes we approve this message and here it goes….

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PICK SIX:

Continuing with the special trade deadline coverage, the Pick Six features three players with present or past fantasy relevance that were traded this week. I have also squeezed in three players that could be recognizable on a Thursday that features nine games on the schedule, which includes a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Will the Wings’ home winning streak continue against a Canucks squad that is breathing down its neck for first overall in the NHL?

Kyle Quincey, D, DET – add
Could the Wings do to Quincey’s value what they did to Ian White’s? Quincey was in the middle of a slump with only three points in his last 19 games at the time of his trade back to Detroit, although he got off to a strong start and has demonstrated offensive prowess in the past. White already has Nicklas Lidstrom as his partner, which would explain his success this season. However, Quincey’s offensive upside and the fact that he now plays for a fantasy-friendly team could make him rosterable for the rest of the season.

Steve Downie, LW, COL – hold
Downie’s style of play won’t be affected by the trade, although he will no longer have elite linemates like Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Nevertheless, he will continue to pile up penalty minutes (121 PIM – 6th in NHL) while providing point totals that would make him rosterable in deeper leagues. Continue to utilize him as you normally would. Downie debuted on Wednesday on the Avs’ young guns line alongside Ryan O’Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog.

Antoine Vermette, C/LW, PHX – add
A Columbus Blue Jackets forward was traded on Wednesday, but his name isn’t Rick Nash or Jeff Carter. Vermette will probably be the prime acquisition of the NHL-owned Coyotes, who may scratch and claw their way to one of the Western Conference’s final two playoff seeds. The Coyotes aren’t bursting with elite forward options, so Vermette should see some top-line and power-play duty alongside Shane Doan, which should at least improve on his CBJ-like (-17) ranking. With 8 percent ownership in Yahoo leagues, Vermette is at least worth a flier in deeper formats.

Valtteri Filppula, C, DET – start
With Pavel Datsyuk out for two weeks with a knee injury, Filppula should see top-line and power-play minutes. He shouldn’t be a secret to fantasy owners anymore, as he already has 17 goals and 46 points in 60 games this season. Filppula scored just his third power-play goal of the season on Tuesday against Chicago, and he will probably find himself on the power play again on Thursday against Vancouver. The matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference could be a wide-open affair, as it has often been whenever these two teams hook up.

Justin Peters, G, CAR – add/start
If you need a goaltending start from the waiver wire on Thursday, Peters appears to be your best bet. The Raleigh News & Observer all but confirmed that Peters would start against Anaheim, reporting that the Canes have recalled Mike Murphy from the AHL on an emergency basis. Murphy’s callup means that Cam Ward will not be ready to return from injury. In his last start, Peters cruised to an easy 17-save shutout against Washington on Monday.

Richard Bachman, G, DAL – add
A road date in Chicago won’t be an easy gig for Bachman Turner Overdrive (Dallas Stars), but the Stars’ rookie backup’s numbers have been respectable this season (6-3-1, 2.72 GAA, .912 SV%). The Stars, who are in a logjam for a Western Conference playoff position, will likely return to Kari Lehtonen for the second half of the back-to-backs, which is a home game against the Wild on Friday. Lehtonen has started ten consecutive games prior to Thursday.

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Good luck fantasy hockey fans and again thanks for reading…..do not forget to check out Daily Joust for our latest freeroll contest tonight.  Get in there new members and go win some money!!

The Foo Fighters grace us with their presence once again.  Every week there will be some sort of video with the theme of ONE.  It is hump day here on Fantasy Hockey ONE and well we are going to try and give a quick recap and look ahead of what could be going in the fantasy hockey world.  This should be fun.  Are you ready?  Well let’s go!

A LOOK BACK

1. Rick Nash (Columbus) — When Nash is on his game and playing like a Power Forward, fantasy owners are as happy as a pig in well you know.  Sure it does not happen as often as it should but last night it did.  Two goals and a game winner later and Columbus Blue Jacket fans were thinking playoffs again. Nash is a player who should perenially be a 90 or 100 point guy or awfully close.  Yet because he does not fully use the talent around him, he constantly tries to do it all himself.  Columbus has talent and Nash has to incorporate it.  He is the offensive leader and MUST play like it every night for fantasy owners and fans of Columbus.

2. Pierre Marc-Bouchard (Minnesota) — God if this player could stay healthy long enough.  There is no questioning the talent at all just the propensity of injuries.  Bouchard was at his best last night with a goal and 2 assists in the 4-1 win over Edmonton.  The key is can he keep the level up as well. Work ethic is somewhat of an issue with the PMB like his friends call him.  Right now, it is rolling so he is definitely worth the add.  Ride the wave while you can.

3. Joe Thornton (San Jose) — I have taken my shots at Jumbo Joe but last night he shut us all up with a vintage Thornton performance with a goal and two assists against Detroit in a 4-3 win.  The last few games have looked better for the talented Center and maybe the game will come around after all. Fantasy fans have to at least be intrigued by the prospect of a revitalized superstar on their fantasy teams.

SCHEDULE TIME

The six pack of games tonight in the National Hockey League.  There are definitely some fantasy ramifications in this one no question.  Please note there really is no game of the night that sticks out but the importance on some fantasy rosters is quite relevant so keep that in mind.  It will be interesting to see how Ryan Miller plays tonight and the entire Sabres team for that matter with the new ownership in place.  Mr. Pagula is ready to spend the dollars and there is no excuse for these guys to slack off now.

KEEP AN EYE OUT ON……

1.  Steven Stamkos (Tampa) — If there was a night for Phoenix to be god awful tired, this is it.  We said it last night and yet Ilya Bryzgalov and Shane Doan found a way to squeeze a victory out of Philadelphia.  Give them credit for that.  Stamkos is on fire and of course Martin St. Louis as well.  Do not be surprised to see Stamkos reunited with Steve Downie at some point on a full time basis.  That seems to be the rumbling out of Tampa and that was when we “SAW STAMKOS” at his best.  Expect a nice night nonetheless.

2. Ryan Miller (Buffalo) — The numbers again do not show it but gut instinct does.  Ryan Miller will have a solid if not great night tonight against Atlanta.  The Thrashers are falling back to .500 and nothing Craig Ramsey can do will save it.  Projections are clear a 1 GA or 2 GA night with 30 saves should do it and most importantly for Buffalo, a win!  Also look out for a Jason Pominville sighting as well.  He has been playing better of late.

3. Dustin Brown (Los Angeles) — We have not seen his name here in these parts for awhile but schedules and snags do happen.  With Anaheim’s goalie situation in full FUBAR mode, it is a perfect night for Dustin Brown to have a big night.  When you match up well against another team’s grit, it is always a good sign but Brown has good hands and skill as well.  The point production does not lie and nor do the career numbers.  He has 27 points in 39 career games against Anaheim but 17 of those have come in the last 15 meetings.  Look out Ducks, Brown is coming for you!

CRY TO YOUR MAMA NOW……

1.  Anaheim goaltending — Until Ray Emery gets in NHL shape, this team will just have to hope and pray Jonas Hiller gets better.  What is there now is actually worse than any other goaltending tandem in the NHL.  So what do you do?  STAY AWAY!  The better bet is to look anywhere else…even for Brian Elliott before looking to the Ducks.

2.  Nik Zherdev (Philadelphia) — Simply he is on waivers and will eventually be gone out of Philly. GONE BABY GONE as they say!  Expect a trade at some point if he clears.

3.  Marc Staal (NY Rangers) — Only because he is injured and we will know more later on the severity.  This could send the Rangers in an unexpected direction at the trade deadline and fantasy wise since the All Star Break, this Staal has hurt fantasy owners.  Again, stay away at all costs at this time.

Good luck everyone tonight and we will see you on the show at 8pm ET on Blog Talk Radio. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest updates.