LOGIN

Elias Lindholm has had a disappointing start to his NHL career.  After being a top 5 pick in 2013, Lindholm has failed to reach 40 points in the first three seasons of his career.  It’s certainly not the end of the world given that he just turned 22 years old; not everybody is a McJesus or MacKinnon and dominates right out of the gate.  Lindholm is currently in the midst of the best streak of his young career.  On Friday night against the Sabres, Lindholm dished an assist and added four shots extending his point streak to five games.  He followed up it with a massive game scoring a goal and two assists with five shots in the 7-4 win over the Islanders.  That brings his point streak to six games and gives him 18 points in 33 games to this point.  Obviously this isn’t going to last but Lindholm is an elite streamer at the moment and like a few other young forwards on his team, there’s some real sleeper potential here for 2017-18.  Let’s take a look at what else happened around the league over the weekend:

Friday’s Games:

Frederik Andersen – 32 saves on 34 shots in the 4-2 win over the Rangers.  I put him in the tier above the “desperate for starts” guys at the moment.  His great run of play is over bringing his goals against to well below average but the wins and save percentage are solid.

Tyler Bozak – Two assists with five shots.  I think you have to be holding Bozak right now given that he has 28 points in 38 games.

Mitch Marner – Two assists.  The goal scoring has come to a halt but Marner has totaled 7 assists in his past 5.  Clear as day hold.

William Nylander – Goal on five shots.  The minutes are gradually declining and the production is more sporadic.  I think he’s close to the fringe now but I’d still hold a little longer.

Pavel Buchnevich – Assist with a shot in his return and he did the same Saturday.  The minutes are very low so he’s a fine streamer at the moment but not an elite one.

Braden Holtby – 24 save shutout in the 6-0 win over the Blackhawks extending their winning streak to 8 games.  They’re absolutely rolling right now from top to bottom.  He’s my #1 goalie for ROS.

Jay Beagle – Two goals on eight shots.  I don’t know what’s more incredible, that Beagle scored two goals or that he managed to get eight shots on goal with his shot rate.  He’s a solid guy for deeper leagues but Beagle isn’t 12’er worthy.

Lars Eller – Two assists.  A bit disappointed he hasn’t done more offensively but that’s not how Barry Trotz is using him.

Nate Schmidt – Two assists with two PIM.  Nothing to see here.

Tom Wilson – Goal and two assists with two shots.  All of the depth guys going off for the Caps!  Fine in deep leagues for the hits and PIM but that’s it.

T.J. Oshie – Goal and an assist with two shots.  Six category player right now; it’s great to see Oshie finally clicking in Washington.

Josh Bailey – Two assists with two shots.  Elite streamer but isn’t doing enough outside of assists to be worth holding.

Nick Leddy – Goal and two assists with five shots.  Call the guy fringe and he goes off!  With how thin the defenseman position is right now, I think Leddy needs to be held in 12’ers.

John Tavares – Hat trick on six shots.  Man, he just makes Florida his bitch all of the time.  As Reid said in our preseason pods, Tavares should have part ownership of the Panthers.  It hasn’t been great to this point but we’re seeing signs of the usual Tavares right now.

Vincent Trocheck – Goal and an assist with two shots and two PIM.  Aleksander Barkov isn’t close to returning so ride Trocheck while it lasts.  However, I would look to sell high when Barkov’s return is imminent.

Keith Yandle – Two assists with three shots.  It’s been disappointing but he’s still a #2/#3 defenseman because there’s so little competition.

Brock McGinn – Two goals on three shots.  The crazy thing is this wasn’t his best game of the weekend (spoiler alert!).  This line is on fire right now, especially McGinn who has more points in the last three games (counting Saturday) that he did in his previous 24.  I’m streaming Lindholm over him but McGinn has played his way onto the fantasy radar.

Jeff Skinner – Two goals and an assist with six shots.  Back to back three points from Skinner who was dominant throughout this game.  There’s a good chance Skinner ends up in my top 50 going into next season.

Jordan Staal – Two assists with three shots and two PIM.  The center between McGinn and Lindholm, Staal is also tearing it up right now.  I still don’t love him but he’s also played his way into top end streamer status.

Cam Ward – 36 saves on 38 shots in the 5-2 win over the Sabres.  He’s starting every game for the Canes right now and while the numbers aren’t great, the volume alone makes him a clear hold.

Joonas Korpisalo – 31 saves on 32 shots in the 3-1 win over Tampa.  Korpisalo looked good at times last year when the Jackets were a mess.  Now that they’re rolling, he could become a nice streamer when he spells Bob.  Keep an eye on him over his next couple starts.

Jonathan Drouin – Goal on five shots.  Four game point streak for Drouin who is breaking out in a big way.  The huge jump in shot rate is making a world of difference in his fantasy value.

Keith Kinkaid – 31 saves on 32 shots in the 2-1 win over the Flames.  The save percentage is solid but I’m still not looking to stream Kinkaid when he plays.

Kyle Palmieri – Goal and an assist with three shots.  I’d prefer to stream him as he’s not great in anything besides assists. AAGNOF!

Chad Johnson – 34 saves on 36 shots taking the loss.  This is still his job, I don’t think there’s much debate over that.

Dougie Hamilton – Assist with four shots and two PIM. There’s a good chance we see career highs across the board for Hamilton this season.  Post-hype breakout!

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Three assists.  While it’s nice to see him have a big game, where the hell have the shots gone?  He’s had 4 total over the previous 5 and is under 2 per game on the season.  This after being over 3 per game the last 2 seasons.  Huge disappointment.

Brendan Perlini – Two goals on four shots; also had four shots on Saturday as he buzzing throughout the game.  He’s a great dynasty play as the former lottery pick won’t be 21 until April.  There’s some big long term upside here.

Radim Vrbata – Three assists.  It’s to the point where I prefer to stream Vrbata but he’s done well for himself this year in a terrible situation.

Saturday’s Games:

Claude Giroux – Two assists with a shot and two PIM.  The plus-minus hurts but Giroux has been everything we expected otherwise.

Brad Marchand – Two goals and three assists with three shots.  Okay then, just another five point game for the troll.  That’s seven goals and four assists in his last five games.  Seems decent.

Torey Krug – Goal and an assist with six shots.  Three game goal streak for Krug snapping his 1.5 season long stretch of horrible luck.  That quickly, he’s at 16th in the player rater for defenseman; I expect him to finish as a bottom end #1.

David Pastrnak – Two assists with six shots and six penalty minutes.  The goal scoring has dried up but it’s great to see Pastrnak contributing across the board.

Patrice Bergeron – Goal on three shots finishing +4.  I’m buying into a Bergeron resurgence in the second half.  This first line is so damn good and with his shot rate, he’s due for a goal streak.

Filip Forsberg – Goal on five shots.  This team has taken a beating with injuries so they need Forsberg to get going in a big way.  A repeat of last season’s big second half could be in the cards.

Gabriel Landeskog – Goal on seven shots playing almost 24 minutes.  For the short term, a trade could do the Kog a lot of good.  Long term, there’s no guarantee.  I’m still holding right now for the PIM and shots; the upside is just too high to let him go.

Kevin Hayes – Two assists with two shots.  The shots are up a bit lately which is nice to see.  Another post-hype breakout!

J.T. Miller – Goal on two shots with five PIM.  Quick, who has the longest current point streak in the NHL.  Yes, you probably guessed Miller since this is his blurb so you’re right!  Seven game point streak as he has brought his excellent run to end 2015-16 right through the first half of this season.

Derek Stepan – Goal and an assist with four shots.  It feels like half the Rangers team has 30 points and is double digit plus to this point.  The balance is just unreal.

Paul Byron – Goal and an assist with two shots playing over 20 minutes.  Byron having this success is honestly one of the biggest shocks to me this year.  I’m fine with streaming him right now in all matchups.

Phillip Danault – Three assists.  He’s an elite streamer as long as he’s on the first line.  I don’t think that’s going to last too much longer though.

Alex Galchenyuk – Goal on his only shot in his return.  Get him right back in your lineups.

Max Pacioretty – Goal and an assist.  Patches is a machine right now.

Andrew Shaw – 22 PIM with a shot being a rotten POS with a cheap shot; one of the easiest 5 minute interference majors you’ll ever see.  Nothing like coming back from a concussion and doing something horrible in the first period you’re back.

Curtis McElhinney – 35 saves on 37 shots in the 4-2 win over the Senators.  McElhinney was outstanding in his Maple Leafs debut but I don’t trust him one bit.

Tyler Bozak – Goal and an assist with three shots.  Same as I said above; he needs to be owned right now.

Nazem Kadri – Two goals on three shots.  Five game point streak for Kadri who is looking at a 36 goal, 126 PIM, 256 SOG season right now at his current pace.  Seriously.

Andreas Athanasiou – Goal on two shots.  Find the highlight of his goal because it was a thing of beauty.  I now have access to GFYCat so in the future I’ll be able to embed gif’s.  Anyways, keep streaming him while he’s hot.

Mike Green – Goal and an assist with two shots.  The points have dried up a bit but Green is still a clear as day hold.

Anthony Mantha – Two assists with a shot.  How damn good is this kid?  I’m declaring myself President of the Anthony Mantha fan club right now!

Gustav Nyquist – Goal and two assists with three shots and two PIM.  He’s starting to show signs of the player who took the league by storm in 2013-14.  I’d be tempted to hold him right now.

Thomas Vanek – Goal and an assist with two shots.  Five game point streak for TV; all he does is get points.  Seems like a good thing to do.

Boone Jenner – Goal on four shots giving him a three game point streak.  A rare disappointment on the Columbus roster, it’s been a rough year for Jenner.  I’m still okay with streaming him but that’s it.

Seth Jones – Two assists with three shots.  It’s a very boring stat line but Jones still needs to be held.

Aaron Ekblad – Assist with four shots and six PIM.  What a disappointment Ekblad has been this year.  Maybe he’ll be undervalue next year since he burned so many people this year a la Dougie Hamilton?  Hard to say but I’m not counting on a turn around this season.

Jaromir Jagr – Goal on two shots with two PIM.  I hope to be as good at something when I’m 44 as Jagr is at hockey.  Seems extremely unlikely though.

Vincent Trocheck – Goal and an assist with three shots.  Hotter than a pistol.  For real thoughts, read Friday’s blurb.

Josh Bailey – Two assists with five shots.  This game didn’t change my feelings for Bailey.

Anders Lee – Goal and an assist with two shots.  He’s cooled off a bit but it’s still worth streaming.

John Tavares – Two goals.  Five goals on the weekend seems good.

Justin Faulk – Goal and an assist with six shots.  If he can fix the plus-minus, Faulk can be a top 10 defenseman by the end of the season.

Brock McGinn – Goal and three assists with three shots.  Have a nice two days Mr. McGinn!  This team is going to be damn good sooner than later.

Jordan Staal – Goal and two assists with six shots.  Even the Neanderthal is going off right now!  Carolina is a remarkable 15-4-1 at home.  Stream a lot of their guys in home games when you get the opportunity.

Lee Stempniak – Goal and two assists with three shots.  Not much here at the moment but there’s a chance Stemp returns to elite streamer status before the season ends.

Teuvo Teravainen – Goal and an assist with two shots.  So much depth on this team right now that it’s ridiculous.

Jonathan Bernier – 26 save shutout in the 3-0 win over the Coyotes.  I’m taking this with a grain of salt coming against the Desert Dogs.  I’m not looking to stream Bernier outside of elite matchups.

Hampus Lindholm – Goal on two shots with two PIM.  At this point, I would cut bait with him.  Lindholm just isn’t doing enough with only 6 points in 33 games.

Mikael Granlund – Two assists with three shots.  The post-post-post hype breakout!  He’s rolling at the moment and can join the long list of people that need to thank Bruce Boudreau.

Jason Zucker – Goal and an assist with four shots and two PIM.  I’m fine with holding or streaming Zucker.  I’m leaning towards holding with a 50 point pace with an incredible plus-minus.

Jamie Benn – Assist with four shots and two PIM.  I still think Benn is going to find his usual gear with a big second half.

John Klingberg – Goal and two assists with two shots and two penalty minutes.  He’s back!  The buy low opportunity is certainly out of the window at this point.  He needs to keep the shots up but Klingberg can easily be a top 10 defenseman for the rest of the season.

Tyler Seguin – Goal and an assist with six shots.  Perhaps with Benn back and Klingberg rolling Seguin can find some consistency.  It’s been a ton of big games and a lot of zero point games this season.

Dustin Byfuglien – Goal on three shots with two PIM.  Big Buff doing Big Buff things!

Mathieu Perreault – Two assists with a shot.  Despite the slow start to the season, I think he’s a solid streamer while he’s in the top six.

Jeff Carter – Goal on five shots.  The guy just keeps scoring goals like it’s his job.  Well, technically it is but he’s at an unreal level right now.

Anze Kopitar – Three assists with two shots.  That’s a four game point streak for Kopitar which I’m sure his owners have been waiting all season for.  The lack of shots lately really bothers me though.  It certainly could get better but I’m not buying in as much as I am for Bergeron or Kuznetsov.

Jake Muzzin – Assist with two shots.  With how horrible defensemen is right now, I’d grab Muzzin if he’s available.

Cam Talbot – 24 saves on 25 shots in the 2-1 SO win over the Flames.  Most of his value comes in volume but Talbot owners will certainly take that.

Patrick Maroon – Goal on three shots.  He’s still available in over 50% of leagues (although he was already scooped up in the RCL’s I’m in, well done guys) so if you’re in one of those, get him now.

Carter Hutton – 23 save shutout in the 4-0 win over the Sharks.  He also received the start Sunday and did well again (more on that later).  With how poorly Jake Allen is playing, there’s a chance Hutton works his way into a timeshare or better in the short term.

Colton Parayko – Goal and an assist.  It’s nice to see these guys who have had horrible luck finally get some breaks their way this week.  Parayko will be one of my favorite targets in drafts next season.

Kevin Shattenkirk – Two assists with a shot and two PIM.  In the offseason, his agent is going to be quoting Teddy KGB from Rounders.  “Pay that man his money.”

Sunday’s Games:

Philipp Grubauer – 24 save shutout in the 5-0 win over the Flyers.  This game was 1-0 going into the 3rd and next thing I knew it was 5-0.  Play Grubauer every time he gets the nod.

Nicklas Backstrom – Two assists with a shot and two PIM.  Six game point streak for Backs right now who is absolutely rolling.  My preseason concerns were overblown to say the least.

Matt Niskanen – Two goals on five shots with two PIM.  He’s another guy I’m holding because it’s decent enough everywhere and decent is hard to get on the blue line right now.

Justin Williams – Two goals on three shots.  Williams has been on fire for a couple weeks now.  I’ve been holding him and I see no reason to drop him at the moment.

Cory Schneider – 21 saves on 22 shots in the 2-1 OT win over the Canucks.  I’m still hopeful for a second half resurgence from Schneider.

Taylor Hall – Goal on four shots.  We’re finally starting to get some consistency from Hall who has a point in three straight games.

Devan Dubnyk – 33 saves on 35 shots in the 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.  I’d say it’s a surprise that he owns the Blackhawks the last couple years but he’s owned everybody.  Dubnyk has made three straight excellent starts after his three game rough patch.

Ryan Suter – Assist with three shots and two PIM.  It’s a ton of value in plus-minus but damn, I’ll take +28 all day with 40 assists.

Artem Anisimov – Two assists with a shot and two PIM.  The shots have dropped off but Arty is still a clear hold.

Patrick Kane – Two goals on twelve shots playing over 27 minutes.  Twenty-seven minutes.  Without overtime.  Only 2 full power plays.  That’s just absurd.  Good day for Kane owners, that’s for sure.

Patrik Berglund – Two goals on three shots.  Solid streamer right now with four goals in his last five games.

Carter Hutton – 22 saves on 23 shots in the 2-1 OT win over the Ducks.  It wouldn’t shock me one bit if he starts again on Tuesday.

Monday Streamers:

Mikkel Boedker (12.8%) – Boedker has been buzzing lately with five points in his last four and the Jets are a train wreck defensively.

Vladislav Namestnikov (3.7%) – He’s still centering the top line drastically increasing his minutes.  Namestnikov has consistently produced when he has the opportunity so I’m looking to take advantage of this spot.

Andreas Athanasiou (4.0%) – He’s on fire right now so I’m going back to the well.  Montreal isn’t an ideal matchup but they’ve been in a ton of high scoring games lately as has Detroit.

That’s all for now guys.  I’m actually flying to Florida today in the evening so depending on how things go, I may have notes out Tuesday morning.  If not, I’ll have a huge post on Wednesday morning.  Regardless, Reid and I are recording a podcast this morning so that will be out Tuesday.  We are planning on doing the big stories of the weekend plus I put together a list of guys who I think are must own but are available in >50% of leagues that we will rank.  I feel like that will be a big help to people.  If you have any suggestions on things for us to talk about, please post them below along with any questions or comments.  Thanks for reading, take care!