Alex Ovechkin was suspended 3 games for “launching” himself into Z Michalek (lets just call him Z to make things easier). 3 Games is kind of alot, and could be just enough to prevent him from getting to 30 Goals this year. And if that happens, the hockey media will have one of the greatest hyperbole-gasms of all time. Even the more level headed analysts like….. like…… hmmmm…….. Wait! Actually no he’s not either…… Okay nevermind but my point is, the number of “How the Mighty Have Fallen” articles will be so vast Megaupload.com’s servers wouldn’t even be able to hold them all (wait what? That site is shutdown?!? Damn you Hollywood elite!!!) But this suspension isn’t all bad news – I don’t own him anywhere!
Jonathan Toews – C (Chi): Uh oh. Toews will miss tonight’s game with a UBI. No, he didn’t quit hockey in order to pursue a different profession , I’m talking about the dreaded Upper Body Injury. I’m hearing it’s not concussion related, but we’ve heard that before only to find out a week later that the player is indeed suffering from concussion symptoms. I will monitor this situation closely over the next couple days but for some reason I don’t think this is anything to get worked up about. Just a way for Toews to avoid playing in the All Star game IMO.
Scott Hartnell – LW (Phi): Hartnell got off to a slow start this year, but it didn’t take long for him to turn things around. In fact this is what I wrote all the way back on November 3: “5 Goals AND 5 Assists in his last 5 Games. That’s what I call catching up. He’s now in the Top 50 overall with 5G/7A/+6/14PIM/21SOG. My prediction? 65 Points, +20 and 120PIM’s.” After his 5 Goal weekend those projections seem way too low.
Kyle Clifford – LW (LA): The best line of the night belonged to LA tough-guy (and big red dog) Kyle Clifford: 1G/1A/+2/7PIM/3SOG. I’d like to tell you this was a breakout game for the 21 year old, but it’s not. But if you’re in need of a FAGNOF you can do worse than the big red dog.
Matthew Lombardi – C (Tor): “You make a seal here. And a seal here. And you skate the puck through the ALLEY.” (Or something like that). I’ve been surprised by Lombardi’s lack of success this season. We are talking about a guy who scored 53 points for the Coyotes last year. And if you’re reading this site you know that 53 Points in Phoenix is like 75 anywhere else. He is heating up though with 4 Goals in his last 4 games and if you’re desperate for (short term) Center help pick up the former coaching legend.
Jonas Gustavsson – G (Tor): So does this guy have a nickname? If not I vote for Goose, cuz take a look at that gander.
Cam Ward – G (Car): Is going streaking again with 2 or less Goals allowed in 9 straight games. He’s like the Newt Gingrich of Goalies – depending on the week he’s either the greatest ever or an embarrassment to his profession.
Detroit Red Wings – It was the usual suspects for Detroit last night. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Franzen and Kronwall all had points, and Jimmy Howard was awesome again. Why am I bringing this up? Well this a fantasy hockey blog isn’t it? Oh yeah… But beyond that, Detroit’s home/road splits are insane. Why do I bring that up? Because if it’s a busy schedule day (like today) and you have to make a choice between playing a Red Wing on the road or Good Player X at home, start Good Player X.
Mike Fisher – C (Nsh): I gotta toot my own horn every once in a while, and well here you go: I advised you to pick up Mr. Underwood on Friday and last night he had 2 Goals. So there.
Devan Dubnyk – G (Edm): Double D shined again last night after turning aside 44 of 45 Shots. He does this every once in a while, but don’t be fooled. At some point in the near future he’s gonna sneak into your house, log into your league and destroy your GAA for the week.
Joe Thornton – C (SJ): As much as I bag on Jumbo it’s hard to deny his greatness. There’s no doubt the decline is in full effect, but he’s still on pace for 70 Points and a +20. And that got me to thinking. Is Jumbo Joe a Hall of Famer if he retired tomorrow? If not, does another 4 or 5 seasons of 60-70 Points make him a lock? Does he need to get a Cup to be a lock? And would he go in as a Bruin or a Shark? Are there any Bigfoot hunters who don’t call them “Squatches”? Just too many questions swirling around in my head, which means now it’s time to sleep…
