Welcome back to another fantasy hockey week in review, where we cover the week in fantasy hockey, including the latest streaks, trends, and anything else that catches my attention.
Let’s dig in!
Fantasy Hockey Week in Review
NHL Three Stars of the Week:
First Star: Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
Three goals and seven assists for 10 points in four games. It extended his point streak to 15 games (16 games with a point Tuesday night). MacKinnon recorded multiple points in all four games last week. He capped the week off with two goals and two assists against the Sharks. He also collected power-play points in all four games. This recent hot streak has his name as a potential Hart Trophy candidate.
He’s now up to 48 points on the season.
Second Star: Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks
Last week he went 3-0-0 with one shutout. He piled on a sparkling 1.37 GAA and .957 SvPct. Demko hasn’t been lights-out brilliant this year, but he has been good when needed the most.
If you’re wondering what I mean, in five of his last ten starts his save percentage has been below .900. He’s stopped the ones he has needed to though, the Canucks are 7-3 in his last ten.
Third Star: Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders
With eight assists and a plus-seven in four games, Dobson has continued his strong season. He’s now up to 32 points in 30 games.
All of a sudden the Islanders are seemingly scoring at will. This is due, in large part to Dobson who has 18 points in his last 14 games, all assists. He’s also on pace for almost 200 shots and blocks. It would be the second time Dobson surpassed 150 blocks. his multi-cat value is increasing
Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Last week I suggested Matthews was about to go on one of his crazy goal-scoring streaks. Well, he has goals in five straight and six of his last seven. In the five-game streak, he has scored nine times, including four two-goal games. He’s on pace for 70.68 goals.
Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild
It has been a tame season by Kaprizov’s standards so far. Perhaps that is about to change. Down 2-1 entering the third against Boston, Kaprizov was all over the ice, scoring two, including the game-winner. He also added an assist
His seven shots were the most in a single game all season. Ironically, it was one of the weakest Corsi games of the year for Kaprizov, 47.8%. It was a tale of two games for him though, if you take away the first two periods, Kaprizov was dominant. Hard to think he won’t build off of this game and go on a bit of a run.
Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
He picked up three points on the first three Blue Jackets goals, before disappearing from the score sheet on the next six. Gaudreau now has points in three straight. It’s hard to know if he’s starting to come out of his funk or not.
Still, though, he has 100-point potential. He is too talented to disappear from fantasy hockey radars long-term. His value is the lowest of his career, which means, this is the ultimate buy-low window of opportunity with Gaudreau.
If you’re in a one-year fantasy hockey pool, perhaps you steer clear of this advice. In a dynasty or limited-keeper – you buy.
David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
In the last four games, Pastrnak has a whopping 29 shots on goal, that’s 7.25 per game. This includes his 11 shots on goal last night.
I get he has 43 points in 30 games so far, but there’s more in the tank. He only has two-point streaks of four games or more and hasn’t had points in consecutive games in his past ten.
Kirill Marchenko, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Dropped a natural hat trick last night in Buffalo. He’s up to 13 goals on the year and is on pace for 31.
Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
It’s his ninth NHL season and he has never averaged more than 3.0 shots per game over a full season. Through 30 games this year he is averaging 4.2. Yup, you read that right. Panarin has 128 shots on goal in those 30 games. With a shoot-first mentality, Panarin should set a new career high in goals. His chances of recording his first-ever 100-point season increase with every shot.
His 17 goals and 43 points, puts him on pace for 46 goals and 117 points.
Kris Letang, D, Pittsburg Penguins
Erik Karlsson has crushed Letang’s fantasy value. His one power-play point leaves him in danger of single-digit power-play points for the first time since 2009-10. He has seen a drop in his power play share by over half, which is about two minutes per game less.
Somehow, with a power play with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, and Erik Karlsson, the Penguins rank 26th in the league in power play percentage at 14.44%. There is little chance Pittsburg removes Karlsson from the power play, he’s too dynamic. They could, and have, tinkered with Letang and Karlsson both on the first power play.
Devon Levi, G, Buffalo Sabres
He had played well since his call-up from Rochester (AHL affiliate). There are going to be bumps in the road with young goalies. On Tuesday, Levi just missed the ‘bridge out’ sign. He was shelled for four goals on 18 shots, bringing home a .778 save percentage.
The real test is how he bounces back in his next start.
Simon Holmstrom, RW, New York Islanders
He is quietly establishing himself as the goal scorer he was expected to be. More importantly to multi-cat leagues, he has also been lethal on the penalty kill. He scored his fifth short-handed goal of the season and the third in his last ten games.
Averaging 13:30 a game, his fantasy value is extremely limited right now, but the upside to becoming a 30-goal scorer is there.
Matthew Poitras, C, Boston Bruins
Team Canada received a big boost when Boston permitted Poitras to join Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Championships.
This occurs almost every year. However, it is rare for teams to do this when the player is averaging over 14 minutes a game and playing an integral role in the everyday lineup.
It feels like Boston granted Poitras wishes to play for Team Canada. Often, when an NHL player goes to this tournament they struggle. Call it a hunch, but I don’t foresee this with Poitras. His addition will be huge for a Canadian team that on paper, doesn’t look that deep or strong.
I’ll have a lot more to say about this tournament over the coming week or so.
With that, that’s a wrap. Thanks for reading.
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