It’s coming down to the wire with two weeks left in the regular season. I’ll give a quick rundown of things happening around the league that can help you on the margins. As a reminder, check out the Playoff Manifesto for all of your streaming planning. Additionally, for those of you in head to head leagues, remember that volume is key. You should be maximizing all of your moves / starts every week to get as many games played as possible from your skaters. If you plan right and get 5+ extra starts than your opponent does, it’s much easier to overcome one of your guys getting cold, or one of your opponents’ players getting hot. Let’s get to it!
Cole Perfetti – Two goals and an assist with three shots. While Perfetti hasn’t had the breakout that we hoped, this is a reminder that sometimes, it takes a while. I’m still bullish on Perfetti long term, and he could turn the corner as soon as next year.
Sidney Crosby – Four goals and an assist with five shots over two games. Crosby is over a point per game for the 19th season, matching Gretzky for the most all-time. He’s starting to have an argument for being on hockey’s Mount Rushmore. Crosby has shown no signs of slowing down at age 36.
Vladimir Tarasenko – Goal and three assists with seven shots over two games. No matter who he takes a shift with, Tarasenko is producing. You can make a reasonable case for owning him right now.
J.J. Peterka – Two goals and an assist with three shots. The Sabres top line dominated the Capitals, with Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson also getting three points, as did Rasmus Dahlin. It’s clear as day that this should be the Sabres top line going into next season. Do I trust that to happen? Absolutely not.
Zach Benson – Two assists with two shots. The point totals are far from gaudy, but I’m shocked how well Benson has played as an 18 year old.
Jonathan Marchessault – Goal and two assists with two shots. Marchessault having 41 goals is insane. Just in time to be a free agent. Back up the Brinks truck!
Olen Zellweger – Three assists with a shot. It’s hard to predict which of the Ducks blueliners is going to end up their PPQB in the long term. Zellweger has a great chance, and he’s a top end skater. There’s a ton of upside here.
Linus Ullmark – 31 save shutout in the 3-0 win over the Predators. Ullmark has followed up his Vezina season about as well as could be expected on a per-game basis. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s moved in the offseason, which could drastically change his value.
Quinn Hughes – Three goals and an assist with seven shots and four PIM over two games. As good as Hughes has been in the past, there was nothing to indicate that this goal scoring binge would happen. He went from a top end #2 in fantasy to a clear #1 who probably will win the Norris this year.
Dylan Guenther – Goal on five shots. Give me all of the Guenther stock, both next season and in dynasties.
Trevor Moore – Hat trick on five shots. Even Moore could drag good games out of Pierre-Luc Dubois, who assisted on all three of Moore’s goals. Moore needs one more goal for 30 on the season, which would be more than any two of his previous seasons combined. Talk about out of nowhere.
Viktor Arivdsson – Two assists with three shots. He’s been forgotten because of injury, but Arvidsson has been sorely missed by the Kings. He’s a damn good player and a great source of shots down the stretch.
If you were lucky enough to have Jacob Trouba, Dawson Mercer, or K’Andre Miller for their 15+ PIM immediately when the game started, congrats.
Jake Oettinger – 35 save shutout in the 5-0 win over the Oilers. That’s two shutouts in a row. If you were lucky enough to make it this far with Oettinger on your team, it’s safe to say he’s carrying you right now.
Wyatt Johnston – Goal and an assist with five shots and two PIM. Like the movie Tombstone, my love for Wyatt knows no bounds.
That’s all for now guys. Keep the questions coming for your end of the season push. Thanks for reading, take care!
