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We’re very close to the All-Star break with most teams starting their extended break on Sunday.  If you look at defensemen production, specifically in goals, you see notable names at the top.  Dahlin leads defensemen in goals, and then there’s a four way tie behind him with notables like Makar and Hughes.  None of that is a surprise.  Weegar is one of those tied with Makar and Hughes, which is very surprising, but he went into the season locked into a big role, so let’s assume he had some good fortune.  But Thomas Harley?  He’s a player I really liked in dynasties, but to be one goal off the league lead for defensemen?  Not even close to my radar.  Harley scored two goals on Saturday, including the overtime winner for a second straight game, in the 5-4 win over the Capitals.  That gives Harley a whopping 12 goals in 46 games.  “Even with Heiskanen back, Harley was a factor.  I’m still holding Harley even though I wasn’t expecting to when Heiskanen came back.  He’s been that good for the Stars.”  And that’s me quoting me from three days ago copying what Grey does!  Somehow, Harley is still available in almost two-thirds of fantasy leagues.  With the pool of defensemen dropping off hard at the bottom, Harley should be owned in all formats.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

My bullishness of Wyatt Johnston as a hockey player is well known in these parts.  The 20 year old has the makings of a future stud in both regular hockey and for fantasy.  Right now, he’s been given the best opportunity early in his career, and he’s taking full advantage of it.  Johnston was bumped onto the first line with Dallas’ two best forwards, Robertson and Hintz, and Johnston has been excellent since the change.  Robertson totaled three assists, four shots and two PIM in the 5-4 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday.  Johnston has seven points in his last five games while averaging over three shots per game.  The new change is enough to put Johnston on the fringe, and with Dallas closing the week with Anaheim and Washington, I would definitely be targeting Johnston for the bottom of my roster.  Let’s take a look at what else happened on Tuesday night:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

It’s not too often that we get a day in the NHL where all 32 teams play.  On Saturday, we were treated to sixteen games spread out over the entire day and it did not disappoint.  The Oilers set a franchise record with their 10th win in a row, the Avalanche came from 3-0 down to beat Toronto, and the Flyers snapped the Jets point streak, amongst other things.  There were a lot of big performances along the way, but Connor Ingram’s 38 save shutout was one of the highlights.  So I was right about a Coyotes goalie being a top 15 goalie, I just failed to pick the backup who showed little in the NHL before this season, whoops!  Arizona continues to stay right around the wild card spots, and Ingram is the biggest reason why.  Don’t be surprised if they ride him more in the second half if he can maintain anything close to this .919 sv%, assuming Vejmelka doesn’t turn it around.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Before the season, if you told me I was going to be writing about an Ingram, I would have assumed I was needed to write about basketball in an emergency.  Instead, we’re two months into the season, and the #3 overall goalie is a 26 year old who played 30 mediocre to bad games in his NHL career.  Connor Ingram posted a 26 save shutout in the 6-0 win over the Capitals on Monday.  Ingram now has an 11-3 record with a 2.23/.930.  I was bullish on an Arizona goalie in preseason, turns out I should have looked at the backup.  Do I expect it to last?  I would lean towards no, but crazier things have happened.  Arizona is playing excellent hockey, and it’s not only because of Ingram.  Somehow, he’s still available in over 50% of leagues.  Even if he turns into a pumpkin in two weeks, it was worth the speculative add, because the upside is through the roof.  Let’s see what else happened over the last two nights:

Please, blog, may I have some more?