Fantasy Hockey MINI ONE (3/23)
Make a wish and maybe you might just win your fantasy league. Yes it pales in comparison to winning the Stanley Cup like Jonathan Toews but for many of us fantasy hockey GM's, a trophy works, doesn't it? The middle days of the week can drive a fantasy GM nuts. The first major shift in weekly scores was last night and there may or may not be some panic.
There is news out of Pittsburgh that Sidney Crosby is working up a sweat and doing some significant workouts. While this is all well and good, he is still at least a few weeks away unless there is something we do not know about. Could he be a last minute insert for the final week of your playoffs or season? At this moment, it is a slight possibility. The emphasis being on the word SLIGHT.
This becomes the time of year where you are looking everywhere for that small angle to lift your team to victory or build your team for next year. Even for those whose seasons have not gone quite so well, now is just as important as any other time of season.
Last night there were a lot of solid performances and thankfully due to Center Ice, they could all be watched. Time to go back before looking ahead.
A LOOK BACK:
1. Ryan Miller (Buffalo) -- Yes this was really obvious. Also, it was nice to see Miller come up clutch on the road in Montreal where he has not always looked his best. The 31 saves was good for our Fantasy POTN. This is the time of year where he may even be able to redeem himself for the subpar season (by his standards) and your fantasy team at the same time. If Miller can string a few starts together then oh my but really that has not been seen all that often this year anyway.
2. James Reimer (Toronto) -- "Optimus Reim" as he is called in Toronto stopped 29 shots last night in a 3-0 shutout in Minnesota and stopped three breakaways to boot. His .925 save percentage is top three caliber in fantasy leagues over the second half. I like the way Reimer plays honestly....does not get too high or low on himself either. The key will be more next year once teams get a handle on him but right now he is clearly riding the way and you should too.
3. Al Montoya (NY Islanders) -- It is good to see that Montoya has bounced back from his horrid night in MSG. 36 saves and a win against one of the top scoring teams at home in Tampa Bay tends to help one's cause. Yes there were some brilliant offensive performances but honestly this one was the third best of the night for fantasy teams desperate for goaltending. Why? Because goaltending wins championships of course.
SCHEDULE TIME:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011 |
|||||
| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | at | Detroit | 7:30 PM | ||
| Florida | at | Chicago | 8:30 PM | ||
| Anaheim | at | Dallas | 8:30 PM | ||
| Calgary | at | San Jose | 10:00 PM | ||
So this is truly a more interesting schedule than at first glance tonight. The marquis matchup appears to be Vancouver and Detroit but the fantasy matchup that could surprise is between Anaheim and Dallas. You have Brad Richards and Jamie Benn in one corner with the Perry-Getzlaf-Ryan with Teemu Selanne and Lubomir Visnovsky plan. Ray Emery and Kari Lehtonen duel which could also makes things very interesting for a variety of reasons. No one knows what we are going to get in this tilt so expect some fantasy fireworks.
Vancouver and Detroit will likely hit the over so expect the usual Sedin twins push with a side of Zetterberg, Helm, and company. Chicago may be trapped tonight against Florida but only if they get suckered into playing the AHL Panthers style. Florida is a fantasy albatross for players at this juncture unless David Booth can fight past or above it. Even Tomas Vokoun is back to playing well but getting next to nothing to show for it.
Calgary has to win tonight and there are no doubts about that. Can Rene Bourque and Jarome Iginla carry this team? Don't we ask if Iginla can do this every year it seems for fantasy squads as well? Okay, we do. Now San Jose's first line is great but when Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski are on, they are ON! Expect the "little Jumbo Joe" to have a big night tonight.
So if we had to project out a three stars for tonight....this is what they might look like.
THE PROGRAM 3 STARS:
1. Ryan Getzlaf
2. Corey Crawford
3. Dany Heatley
Let us see how we do and do not forget The Program starts at 8pm ET tonight. Good luck in your fantasy leagues.
