Fantasy Hockey This Week: Western Conference
Fantasy Hockey This Week: Western Conference
Written by Joe Cutroni, Rotoexperts.com Staff Writer
November 15, 2008
HIGHLIGHTS: Joe Cutroni provides an inside look at what’s happening around the Western Conference.
CENTRAL DIVISION:
Chicago Blackhawks
Between the lines
Jonathan Toews (C, CHI) has finally ended his early-season goal-less drought. After going without a goal in his first dozen games, Toews has now scored in his last two games and has five points in his last five games. If you were sitting him on your bench, it’s time to dust off Toews and insert him into your starting lineup.
Patrick Kane (RW, CHI) has taken over the team lead in scoring with 19 points. He’s been hot of late, posting 10 points in his last five games. He’s averaging over three SOG per game and has taken 44 so far this season. Kane has the potential for a big week with games in Phoenix, Dallas, and Toronto.
Notable injury
James Wisniewski (D, CHI) had off-season knee surgery and is out until December.
Watch list
Brian Campbell (D, CHI) has seen his game slow to a crawl. He has just two points in his last five games and is not shooting the puck as much as he needs to, registering 23 SOG on the season. He’s a talented offensive D-man but needs to contribute more for the ‘Hawks.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Between the lines
Jason Chimera (LW, CLS) is quietly having a nice season so far, with 14 points in his first 17 games. He’s racking up SOG, with a total of 45 in those same 17 contests. He’s also averaging over 17 minutes of playing time. Consider starting Chimera while he’s overachieving.
Derick Brassard (C, CLS) continues to shine for the Blue Jackets. He’s scored goals in his last three games and has posted 10 points in his last eight games. He leads Columbus with 16 points in as many games, including eight goals. Even though Brassard averages slightly over 14 minutes of ice time, continue to start him.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Pascal Leclaire (G, CLS) returned to action on Friday night with his first start since October 25. He looked sharp in a 6-1 win over Buffalo and should re-claim his starting job between the pipes. Keep him on the bench with a light week coming up for Columbus.
Detroit Red Wings
Between the lines
Marian Hossa (RW, DET) has been everything the Red Wings thought he’d be when they signed him in the offseason. His 23 points and 62 SOG are tops in Detroit, and he has padded his fantasy numbers with 14 PIMs and a plus-8 rating.
Henrik Zetterberg (LW, DET) has five points in his last five games but is minus-4 in that span. He does have 10 goals, five coming on the man advantage. He’s also tied for the lead with 62 SOG. Zetterberg is a bit hot and cold of late, but he should get plenty of chances this week with two games against Edmonton and Calgary.
Notable injury
Daniel Cleary (RW, DET) has missed the last two games with an eye infection.
Watch list
Mikael Samuelsson (RW, DET) has been quietly contributing for Detroit. He’s posted seven points in his last five games, including five assists. His 12 assists are second only to Hossa. Keep an eye on his availability in your league. If you have space on your roster, Samuelsson is worth picking up.
Nashville Predators
Between the lines
Shea Weber (D, NSH) continues to contribute steadily for Nashville. He’s posted five points in his last five games and leads all NHL defensemen with 17 points. With no signs of slowing down, keep him fastened to your starting lineup.
Ryan Suter (D, NSH) has three points in his last two games and is second in defenseman scoring on the team. He has 12 points through 16 games. Keep him in your lineup if you have the room, as he should continue his strong play.
Notable injury
Martin Erat (RW, NSH) is day-to-day with an upper body injury.
Watch list
Jason Arnott (C, NSH) centered Vernon Fiddler (LW, NSH) and Joel Ward (RW, NSH) in their game against Anaheim. Keep an eye on the injury to Martin Erat, since this will affect Arnott’s linemates.
St Louis Blues
Between the lines
Andy McDonald (C, STL) leads the team in scoring with 18 points, but his minus-12 is glaring. He does take his share of SOG and log a good bit of ice time, but his +/- should continue to get worse as the season progresses. This team isn’t very good defensively, and McDonald’s fantasy numbers are impacted by the poor play.
Brad Boyes (RW, STL) is another Blues player who’s holding his own when it come to putting up points, but his fantasy value isn’t very good due to a whopping minus-14 so far this season. He won’t get you many PIMs and doesn’t take many SOG. If you choose to trade him away, his value isn’t going to get much higher than what it is right now.
Notable injury
Paul Kariya (C/LW, STL) remains out with a sore left foot.
Watch list
Lee Stempniak (RW, STL) has started to produce after an injury slowed him early in the season. He now has 11 points in as many games and is seeing some time on the power play. Stempniak is most likely available in your league, and now is the time to grab him as a backup forward.
NORTHWEST DIVISION:
Calgary Flames
Between the lines
Miikka Kiprusoff (G, CAL) has struggled of late, giving up four goals or more in four of his last five games. Kiprusoff has one of the worst SV% and GAA in the league, both critical statistics in the majority of fantasy leagues. It’s tough to admit, but if you have a solid alternative to Kiprusoff, you might want to bench him until his game picks up.
Todd Bertuzzi (RW, CAL) started the season off with a bang, but his team-worst minus-9 is a real killer for fantasy owners. He does have five goals on the man advantage and is averaging over 20 minutes of ice time, but he has taken just 37 SOG. Consider sitting him until his +/- rebounds.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Mike Cammalleri (C, CAL) has seen his production drop in recent games. In his last five games, he has just three points, eight SOG, and is a minus-4. His ice time has also suffered, and he is now averaging around 14 minutes. He’ll be challenged to do much this week with two tilts against Colorado and a game against Detroit.
Colorado Avalanche
Between the lines
Peter Budaj (G, COL) is starting to show signs of getting his game on track. He’s won his last two starts after a five-game losing streak, with a SV% of .983 and just one goal allowed. Budaj has also lowered his GAA to 2.91. He faces Calgary twice and Los Angeles once.
Paul Stastny (C, COL) continues to leads the Avs in scoring. His fantasy value would be better if he took more SOG, but he is averaging just under a point per game. His mninus-2 isn’t that big of a killer on a team sitting last in the Northwest Division. Colorado’s overall play may creep its way into Stastny’s fantasy value, so monitor his produc
tion closely.
Notable injuries
Joe Sakic (C, COL) remains day-to-day with a sore back.
Watch list
Wojtek Wolski (LW, COL) hasn’t scored since the first game of the season and has now gone 14 games straight without a goal. He is also minus-5 and has seen his ice time hovering around 16 minutes per game. Keep him on your bench until his play matches the promise he showed coming into the season.
Edmonton Oilers
Between the lines
Ales Hemsky (RW, EDM) has turned his season around in a big way. He’s leading the team in scoring with 17 points, including 12 helpers, and has taken 42 SOG. He’ll get the chance to continue his strong play with two games against Detroit and one against Columbus this week.
Ethan Moreau (LW, EDM) is displaying some fantasy value – he’s registered 10 points in 16 games, while racking up 27 PIMs, 37 SOG, and a plus-2 rating through 16 games. If he continues to post solid fantasy numbers, it might be too late to pick him up. Keep an eye on his production in the next few weeks.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers (G, EDM) is starting to open up eyes around the league. The rookie netminder won the first three games of his career and has jumped ahead of Mathieu Garon (G, EDM) and Dwayne Roloson (G, EDM) in the pecking order. With the exception of a bad loss to Toronto last week, he’s put up outstanding numbers. If JDD is still available and you have room for another goalie, pick him up.
Minnesota Wild
Between the lines
Niklas Backstrom (G, MIN) just keeps rolling, and his fantasy value is along for the ride. He’s won nine of his first 13 games played, holds an outstanding 2.01 GAA, and enjoys a strong .935 SV%. He’s also notched two shutouts so far in 2008-09. Look for Backstrom’s numbers to improve with three contests scheduled this week.
Marek Zidlicky (D, MIN) has been good since his return from injured reserve. He has five points in his last three games, including two goals and 11 SOG. He gets a ton of powerplay time, and his fantasy value will continue to increase heading forward. [Editor’s Note: Assuming his family keeps attending games, which seemed to inspire his three point performance last week]
Notable injuries
Marian Gaborik (RW, MIN) remains day-to-day with a lower body injury. There is no word on when he will return to action.
Watch list
Brent Burns (RW, MIN) returned to the lineup and found himself in a different role – as a forward. Head coach Jacques Lemaire shifted Burns to RW alongside Andrew Brunette (LW, MIN) and Eric Belanger (C, MIN) to provide the team more balance and three solid lines. Make sure he’s in your lineup, particularly for use as a defenseman.
Vancouver Canucks
Between the lines
Roberto Luongo (G, VAN) is coming off an incredible four-game span. He posted three consecutive shutouts and gave up just one goal in that span. His fantasy value is excellent, with nine wins and four shutouts on the season. He’ll have the chance to further dominate in four road games this week.
Alex Burrows (LW, VAN) has some good fantasy value and should be available in your league. He has 10 points in 16 games, has racked up 28 PIMs, and has taken 34 SOG. If your league rewards players for these categories, Burrows is a nice option.
Notable injury
Kevin Bieksa (D, VAN) is out 2-to-4 weeks with a hairline fracture to his left foot. He suffered the injury blocking a shot on November 4.
Watch list
Pavol Demitra (C/RW, VAN) has declared himself ready to go and should return to the lineup after missing 10 games due to torn rib cartilage. You might want to start him this week with four games on the schedule.
PACIFIC DIVISION:
Anaheim Ducks:
Between the lines
Jean-Sebastien Giguere (G, ANH) has seen his game volley back and forth early on this season. After winning six of seven games, he’s now lost three straight, including an OT loss to Nashville in his last start. Consider sitting him this week, since he may only start one of the back-to-back road games on the schedule.
Corey Perry (RW, ANH) has really stepped up his play after a very slow start. He’s recorded 16 points, 44 SOG, and a plus-10 rating in his last 10 games. If you have Perry on your fantasy team, considering making a trade for Ryan Getzlaf (C, ANH), as they play together on Anaheim’s top line and power play unit.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Chris Kunitz (LW, ANH) is a player to watch. He only has two goals but has assisted on nine goals. He plays on the Ducks’ number one line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. If he’s available in your league and you have an open slot on your roster, consider picking him up.
Dallas Stars:
Between the lines
Mike Ribeiro (C, DAL) might have a team-high 15 points, but his fantasy value isn’t very high due to his minus-5 and low totals in SOG and PIM. With Dallas looking at a light schedule this week, consider benching Ribeiro.
Marty Turco (G, DAL) continues to struggle between the pipes. With just one win against 14 goals allowed in his last five games, he cannot be counted on to be one of your starting goaltenders. Until the Stars’ play in front of him turns things around, don’t count on Turco to be one of your top fantasy point producers.
Notable injuries
Jere Lehtinen (RW, DAL) has returned to action after missing the first 14 games of the season with a groin injury. He has scored one goal and registered five SOG in the two games he’s played.
Watch list
Sergei Zubov (D, DAL) was activated off injured reserve and recorded one assist in his return to the Dallas lineup. When healthy, Zubov has solid fantasy value, so keep an eye on him in the next several weeks.
Los Angeles Kings:
Between the lines
Erik Ersberg (G, LA) has wrestled away the starting job in net from Jason LaBarbera (G, LA) after some excellent play in his first seven games played. He’s recorded four wins and carried an incredible 1.94 GAA for Los Angeles. If he’s still available and you need another goalie, grab him before another team owner does. He’d also make excellent trade bait in a deal with LaBarbera’s owner.
Dustin Brown (R, LA) has posted some solid fantasy numbers of late. Besides ihs four points in the past five games, Brown has racked up 27 SOG and 20 PIM outing. He now has 68 SOG to go along with his 20 minutes of average ice time per contest.
Notable injuries
Jack Johnson (LW, LA) is expected to be out until early February following shoulder surgery.
Watch list
Anze Kopitar (C, LA) has produced sporadically to start the 2008-09 season. He’s gone two or three games in a row without registering a point, including his last game. With just two games on the schedule this week, consider sitting Kopitar.
Phoenix Coyotes:
Between the lines
Olli Jokinen (C, PHO) has 16 points in 15 games, although he had none in his last two games, after post
ing five points in his prior two games. Jokinen holds solid fantasy value, due to the high SOG total, plus-6 rating, and solid PIM contributions. Look for Jokinen to have a good week with games against the Rangers, Columbus, Colorado, and San Jose.
Shane Doan (LW, PHO) is proving that he’s a worthy fantasy player. He has notched 16 points in his first 15 games, including nine goals, a plus-4 rating, 52 SOG, and 27 PIM. Keep him bolted to your starting lineup.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Ilya Bryzgalov (G, PHO) has seven wins on the season, including three in his last four starts. He has yet to earn a shutout in 13 games, but his 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% are good numbers for fantasy purposes. He’ll have a chance to improve on those numbers this week with four games on tap.
San Jose Sharks:
Between the lines
Brian Boucher (G, SJ) is coming off a solid performance against Calgary, although it was his lone victory in his last three games. He should continue to be in net until injured starting goalie Evgeni Nabokov (G, SJ) returns to the lineup.
Devin Setoguchi (RW, SJ) has exceeded fantasy expectations so far this season. Along with point-per-game production, he’s taken 73 SOG and is plus-6. No need to think about sitting him, even during a light week.
Notable injuries
Evgeni Nabokov (G, SJ) is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He isn’t expected to play until next week.
Watch list
Dan Boyle (D, SJ) is hot right now, recording five points, 16 SOG, and a plus-5 rating over his last five games. He’s a solid fantasy contributor and should get tons of chances this week with games against Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.
E-mail Joe Cutroni at jcutroni@rotoexperts.com if you’d like to talk hockey and more hockey!