For most of the year, I’ve been talking about how good the Winnipeg top 6 is. They keep chugging along, putting up solid performances with the occasional big game. On Wednesday, it was Mark Scheifele’s turn to have a big game, scoring two goals with an assist and four shots. The former 7th overall pick is starting to round into form. He now has a solid shot rate, 7+5 in 20 games with a +7 rating and 6 PIM. That’s close to a 30 goals and 20 assist pace for the season which is excellent, especially for a 22 year old. In dynasty, I think he’s safely in the top 50 going forward. For season long leagues, he’s pushing the top 100.
Here’s what else I saw in Wednesday and Thursday’s games:
Drew Stafford – Two goals and an assist with eight shots and two PIM. Mr. Streaky was bumped up to the second line on Wednesday and delivered. Going forward, I’d add him in deeper leagues but I’d leave him as a streamer in 12’ers, albeit a top-end streamer.
Mathieu Perreault – Three assists and two shots. The shot rate and goals are horrible but with 13 assists in 20 games, he’s a solid add if you’re short in assists / power play points.
Ondrej Pavelec – 29 saves on 30 shots in the win. Still a solid #3 fantasy goalie but nothing more.
Daniel Sedin – Goal on five shots. Doing what he does. Crazy Cyborgs!
Nicklas Backstrom – Goal and two assists with four shots and two PIM in two games. Bumped up to the first line now so things will get even better than they’ve been. Firmly in the top 20 going forward.
Alex Ovechkin – Goal on ten shots. Pretty much standard although slightly disappointing with one point in two games.
Dylan Larkin – Goal on three shots and two PIM. I’ve been driving the bandwagon and I’m firmly on it now. With Pavel Datsyuk (assist and four shots) back centering Larkin, I think he pushes top 50 overall value for the rest of the season with the PIM he adds.
Artemi Panarin – Goal and two assists with two shots. As far as linemates go, there are very few who have as much chemistry as Panarin has with Patrick Kane and they’ve only played 20 games together.
Patrick Kane – Two assists and four shots. 30 points in 19 games? This is getting insane.
Teddy Purcell – Two assists and two shots. I think I’m adding him everywhere now that he’s on the first line.
Leon Draisaitl – Goal on four shots. I was asked about him in the comments; roll him everywhere.
John Klingberg – Two assists and two shots, +3. With how he’s played this year, he pushed himself into the top 5 defenseman discussion and I didn’t see anyone doing that who was outside of my third tier. The silky smooth Swede looks amazing every night.
Jamie Benn – Assist on three shots. Bust!
Tyler Seguin – Goal on five shots. BUST! ALL OF THE STARS ARE BUSTS!
Jason Spezza – Goal on five shots. 8+7 in 20 games. Tell Busty McBusterson to slow down (I kid, I kid). I thought Pittsburgh could have 5 top 50 guys this year but apparently it’s Dallas who will.
Jason Zucker – Goal on four shots and two PIM. I said it last week but if you didn’t listen and he’s still available, pick him up. Like, right now. Well, right after you finish reading!
Loui Eriksson – Hat trick on five shots. I remember when Loui was really good in Dallas. Somehow, that Loui showed back up in Boston this year with 9+8 in 18 games. Absolutely shocking to me but ride the wave while you can.
David Krejci – Two assists with six shots. The shot rate was steeply declining but yesterday helped. With 22 points in 18 games, he’s one of the biggest surprises this year.
Martin Jones – 34 save shutout in the 1-0 OT win. Hotter than a pistol right now.
Melker Karlsson – OT winner on his only shot. On the first line right now so he’s an excellent streamer.
Matt Duchene – Two goals on five shots. Speaking of hotter than a pistol, Duchene has 11 points in the last 5 games (6+5). My top 75 ranking doesn’t look bad anymore. Looks more in the top 50 than anything right now.
Jarome Iginla – Two assists and two shots. Roll him everywhere as well.
Kris Letang – Assist on three shots. Hopefully the Pens start to break out for all of their owners.
Sidney Crosby – Goal on three shots. Hopefully the Pens start to break out for all of their owners.
Evgeni Malkin – Goal on two shots. Hopefully the Pens start to break out for all of their owners. And that’s me repeating me after already repeating myself!
Max Pacioretty – Goal and an assist with three shots. Yeah, he’s pretty good. Had him around 30th preseason and now firmly is in the top 20 with his elite shot total.
Craig Anderson – 25 save shutout in the 3-0 win over CBus. Perhaps this starts another patented Anderson hot streak. Or is this just another random big Anderson performance? This has been going on for 10+ years now that nobody knows.
Kyle Turris – Goal and an assist with a shot. A career year is upon us.
Erik Karlsson – Two goals and an assist with seven shots playing over 30 minutes. What else is there to say about this guy anymore? 5+16 in 19 games with 18 PIM and +8? He’s so good it’s #disgusting.
Valtteri Filppula – Goal and an assist with a shot. I don’t want anything to do with him with under one shot per game and 9 points in 21 games.
Ryan Getzlaf – Two assists and five shots. Hot streak incoming.
Fredrik Andersen – 24 saves on 25 shots in the 3-1 win. I’m still driving his bandwagon and would buy low if possible.
Aleksander Barkov – Goal on two shots. Played 20 minutes which is a great sign coming off his injury. He just needs to stay healthy; he’s had a bunch of nagging things in his short career.
Jack Eichel – Assist with three shots in over 22 minutes. Although 10 points in 19 games is slightly behind what I expected, he’s over 3 shots per game and on almost a 30 goal pace so things are looking fine. He should get better as the season goes on.
Sam Reinhart – Goal on two shots. As a Sabres fan, it upsets me that he isn’t playing more minutes than he is. He looks incredible. I’d own him in all dynasties but I wouldn’t own him in standard 12’ers until his role stabalizes.
Ryan O’Reilly – Goal on seven shots. That’s a goal in 3 straights games with 17 total shots. As a Sabres fan, I love him. He’s an incredible talent.
Alex Steen – Two assists with a shot and the shootout winner. For the umpteenth time, PLEASE STAY HEALTHY!
David Backes – Assist with two PIM. Please stay on the first line. With the PIM he provides, he’d be top 50 for the rest of the season.
Vladimir Tarasenko – Goal and an assist with three shots. So good.
Jake Allen – 32 saves on 34 shots in the win. Had him higher than most going into the year but didn’t have him high enough because he should get 60+ starts.
I will post my streamers in the comments section below the article tonight since I don’t have enough information yet at the time I am posting. Be sure to check out Matt’s article that is also being posted today. As always, please post any comments or questions below. I will be back on Monday with a recap of all of the weekend’s action. Take care everyone!
