Welcome back to another fantasy hockey week in review. Here, we will 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
Fantasy Hockey Trends to Watch
I’m mixing things up a little bit this week. You’ll find players of the week further down. As lines swap and goalies struggle we’re seeing changes to playing time. I wanted to take a moment an highlight some of these recent developments.
Here are some noticeable trends of recent days
Mike McLeod, C, New Jersey Devils
I covered McLeod last week, specifically his face-off prowess. Well, in the four games he has played over 18 minutes a game. The only exception, was 17:46 in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He isn’t getting any power play ice time, nor is he getting a lot of time on the penalty kill. That’s over three minutes in extra five-on-five ice time per game
I’ve seen his name in trade rumors as well. Are they showcasing him? Are they simply seeing if he can handle a larger role? He’s already set a career high in goals with ten, and needs seven more points to tie his career high in points.
Charlie Lindgren, G, Washington Capitals
The Capitals played back-to-back games against the New York Rangers on the weekend. Lindgren played both. There was no indication that Darcy Kuemper was ill or had a nagging injury the Capitals wanted to rest.
Kuemper did play last night and dropped a shutout. However, Lindgren has significantly outplayed Kuemper throughout the season. In 17 games, Lindgren’s record is 8-4-0-3 with a 2.24 goals against average (GAA), and a .929 save percentage (SVPCT) with two shutouts. Kuemper meanwhile, in 24 games is 11-10-2-0 with a 3.13 GAA, and an .895 SVPCT, and now one shutout.
It’s rare these days for Igor Shesterkin or Connor Hellebyuck to start both ends of a back-to-back, let alone the backup goalie. Keep an eye on the Capitals net. Things are getting interesting
Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
He’s 6-1-2 in his last ten starts, since December 13th. He has also replaced Tristan Jarry twice in the same time period. It should be noted, Nedeljkovic was pulled in his last start after giving up three goals on nine shots against the Vancouver Canucks. Over the same span, Jarry is 4-2-2 and has been pulled twice.
I don’t think anyone expected there to be such an even split in starts with Pittsburgh. At this point, plan for Pittsburgh to start the hot goalie. A word of caution for Nedeljkovic owners, Mike Sullivan always leans back to Jarry. I have more faith in Jarry maintaining the lion’s share of starts than I do Kuemper
Alex Lyon, G, Detroit Red Wings
This is accidentally turning into a goalie segment.
Lyon has effectively taken the starting job from James Reimer. Albeit, during Ville Husso’s absence due to injury. It will be interesting to see how things play out when Husso returns – he has started skating but is still a week or two away, at best.
In the six starts before his injury, Husso had a balmy 3.75 GAA and .893 SVPCT. Since his injury, on December 18th, Lyon has started seven games, going 5-1-1-0 with a 2.96 GAA and .914 SVPCT.
Expect Husso to get the nod upon his return, but if he falters, Lyon could in consecutive years put another team on his back in a push toward the playoffs.
NHL Three Stars of the Week
First Star: Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks
Pettersson potted five goals to go along with four assists in four games to keep the Canucks rolling.
It seems most have focused on Quinn Hughes’ incredible start or Brock Boeser’s unsustainable goal-scoring trend this year. Yet, Pettersson keeps rolling along. He now has 58 points in 44 games, which is good for 7th in the league in scoring.
He’s on pace for 108 points. Pettersson is two years younger than William Nylander, and on pace for his second consecutive 100-point season. He is also a restricted free agent. Although that won’t matter much come summer, Pettersson is going to get paid.
There are two questions to ponder. Will his cap hit be with a 12 or a 13. And, what is the length of his next contract? Will he follow the Auston Matthews route and he signs for a shorter term and becomes an UFA at 29? Or does he sign for the maximum eight years?
Second Star: Blake Coleman, LW/RW, Calgary Flames
His surprise breakout season continues. Coleman had four goals and three assists in three games to earn the second star of the week. He had multiple points in all three games.
With 37 points on the year, Coleman is one off his career high. His 19 goals leave him one shy of his fourth 20-goal season and three away from another career high.
It is hard to believe Coleman now leads the Flames in both goals and assists while averaging 0:43 on the power play for the season. Since December 1, 2023 (21 games), Coleman has averaged 1:33 on the power play. Since January 1st, that has increased to 1:53 per game. If he keeps producing, he could end up on the top unit.
Third Star: Alexander Georgiev, G, Colorado Avalanche
Georgiev was a perfect 3-0-0 with one shutout last week. His 1.95 GAA and .919 SVPCT both look impressive, but they are largely propped up by that shutout. In the other two starts his save percentage was .882 and .897. Sure the Avalanche won both games, but Georgiev gave up seven goals in those two games.
This underscores Georgiev’s season to date. He hasn’t been the strongest or most consistent goalie, but he has been good enough. He’s 24-10-2 on the season and has the Avalanche one point behind the surprising Winnipeg Jets for second in the Central Division.
He isn’t my favourite own in leagues that use both GAA and SVPCT. He’ll get you wins, but leave you needing an anchor behind him to keep those categories stable.
Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
He’s not happy with the three-goalie system. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Blue Jackets turn the page on Elvis at the deadline and trade a goalie for the second year in a row.
Owen Tippett, LW/RW, Philadelphia Flyers
On Monday Tippett scored his 16th goal of the season. What really stood out though was his 10, yes, 10 shots on goal, in the game.
With 162 shots in 44 games, he’s tipping a 300 pace for the year. He feels like a pot too full of water with the lid on about to boil over. That lid is going to pop off and Tippett is going to explode.
Consistent time on the first power play unit still eludes him. It feels like it is all just a matter of time for Tippett.
Adam Boqvist, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Boqvist has five points in his last five games (three in the last two games before his injury, two in three games since returning).
With Zach Werenski out for another few weeks, Boqvist has a window of opportunity to establish himself.
Sitting on 191 career games, Boqvist is also closing in on his breakout threshold. His 83 points in those 191 games is 36 point pace over 82 games. Given the right opportunity, Boqvist could develop into that projected 50-point defenseman.
Well, that will do it for this week. Thanks for reading.
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