Loyal Razzballers know the love that the writer, editor and chief of Razzball Hockey has for Sebastian Aho long term. He hasn’t taken the league by storm but his rookie season has been incredibly impressive for a 19 year old. Aho had his second best game to date on Thursday scoring two goals and an assist with six shots in the win over the Rangers. That gives him 19+19 on the season with over 2.5 shots per game. He’s been a great streamer most of the season but right now I would grab him for the rest of the season. Why? If you recall, the Hurricanes have the best schedule over the last four weeks by a country mile (schedule breakdown here). Aho will be a solid contributor at his current pace given the volume but as we’ve seen, there is plenty of upside as well. He’s still available in over 75% of leagues so go pick up that Aho! Here’s what else happened around the league the last two nights:
Tuukka Rask – 26 saves on 27 shots in the 2-1 win over the Bruins. Given the struggles of the different backups used this year, look for Boston to ride Rask down the stretch as they push for the playoffs.
Zdeno Chara – Two assists with three shots. He’s fallen off a cliff this year which comes as no surprise since he turns 40 in a week. Leave him on the waiver wire outside of hits and blocks leagues.
David Krejci – Two goals and an assist with three shots finishing +4. I was going to lead off with Krejci but wanted to talk about Aho because of his playoff schedule. He’s right on the fringe right now but would lean towards holding barring a stacked waiver wire.
Brad Marchand – Two goals on three shots. He’s played his way into the first round conversation for next season.
David Pastrnak – Goal and an assist with four shots. It doesn’t matter who he plays with, the kid keeps scoring.
Drew Stafford – Goal and an assist with three shots for some streamer success! Keep using him while he’s in the top six. As noted in the schedule breakdown, the Bruins have some 3 games in 4 nights stretches during the playoffs which is a great time to own Stafford.
Esa Lindell – Assist with a shot and two PIM. Despite getting big minutes, he hasn’t done much so I’d leave him on the wire outside of deep leagues.
Jason Spezza – Goal and an assist with seven shots. He centered the two studs on Wednesday so if that holds, Spezza gets a massive boost.
Nick Bonino – Hat trick on six shots. I got a Boninor! Moving on… I make very little of this and am passing on him even as a streamer.
Evgeni Malkin – Two goals and an assist with four shots and five PIM. As talked about on Thursday’s podcast, Malkin has been the best forward in hockey despite missing seven games.
Chad Ruhwedel – Three assists. Nice deep league option right now until the Penguins get healthier with the PP2 time.
Conor Sheary – Two assists with two shots and six PIM. Massive breakout season from Sheary which was slowed down due to injury. He’s still available in almost 50% of leagues so if you’re in one of them, grab him immediately.
Mark Streit – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. Use him in 12’ers while Letang is out and possibly beyond.
Ben Chiarot – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. And there’s your annual Ben Chiarot update!
Marko Dano – Goal on two shots. It’s another lost year for Dano, mostly due to injury, but I’m still a huge fan in dynasties.
Craig Anderson – 35 saves on 37 shots in the 5-2 win over the Stars. Looking like a huge difference maker down the stretch with the potential to be a top 5 goalie ROS.
Cody Ceci – Goal and an assist with three shots over two games. He’s been a bit better lately but I still wouldn’t use him outside of super deep leagues.
Fredrik Claesson – Goal and two assists with two shots. He’s played some on the top pair lately but it’s not enough even for deep leagues.
Mike Hoffman – Two assists with a shot and four PIM. Don’t hassle the Hoff, man! He’s become a six category stud and a Hoff level stud at that.
Viktor Stalberg – Goal and an assist with four shots. It’s a bottom end stream but I don’t mind using Stalberg while Turris is out.
Erik Karlsson – Two goals and an assist with nine shots. I argued last season that Karlsson was the best player in the league and while I don’t feel that way at the moment, he’s really not far off. He’s probably underrated and that’s saying something. And the important thing is he’s another three point challenge win for me! Too bad I’m still 5 behind Reid, ugh.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Two goals and an assist with seven shots. He’s played extremely well right now so stream him Saturday against the Avalanche.
Mike Condon – 39 saves on 41 shots in the 3-2 OT win over the Coyotes. I wouldn’t use Condon outside of the best matchups like Arizona. Nobody really like to use (a) Condon but sometimes you have to when you’re desperate (for starts).
Chris Kreider – Goal and an assist with four shots. The Rangers power play was lethal in this game with the first unit scoring three times. Kreider has finally become the star we imagined years ago and at 25 years old, I think he can still improve next season.
Derek Stepan – Two assists with ten shots on goal. He’s mired in a long goal scoring drought so it’s no surprise he kept throwing the puck at the net Thursday. Look for him to break the streak sooner than later. Like in their next game against Detroit.
Mika Zibanejad – Two goals on three shots and two PIM. It’s fringe but still worth holding in my opinion. Of course it’s my opinion, it’s my post!
Jordan Staal – Two assists with three shots. Still worth streaming but far from a hold.
Valentin Zykov – Goal on three shots in his NHL debut. The former 2nd round pick has a ton of upside and played on the first line in this game. I wouldn’t stream him yet but I’d keep an eye on him. In deeper dynasties, grab him if he’s available.
Victor Hedman – Goal and an assist with four shots. He’s carrying the blue line to the point where he should be a finalist for the Norris with Burns and Karlsson.
Nikita Kucherov – Two goals and an assist with four shots. This guy is no joke and as we talked about on Tuesday’s podcast, I have a hard time seeing him fall outside of the first round next season.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 32 saves on 33 shots. Credit to Yzerman for making the trade because Vasilevskiy finally looks settled in.
Tyler Johnson – Left the game with a lower body injury as did Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette. Coach Cooper said “it would be a blessing” if any of them play Saturday. No big deal, just missing their four centers from the beginning of the season. I have no idea who will play center but my guess is that Brayden Point ends up with a big boost.
Shayne Gostisbehere – Goal and an assist with four shots. Yes, he’s had a rough year but it’s still a joke that Hakstol scratched him while their bums like Andrew MacDonald play every game. Look for Ghost to bounce back next season and I’d hold him for now in 12’ers.
Tyler Bozak – Goal and an assist. His line is rolling right now with Bozak registering six points in the past four. It’s bottom end so you can go either way with him.
Frederik Andersen – 36 saves on 38 shots in the 4-2 win over the Flyers. He’s on fire again but we know that bad Andersen could show up at any time. Use him at your own peril.
Jonathan Bernier – 43 save shutout in the 1-0 win over the Blackhawks. This was the goaltending performance of the year; Chicago could have had 8 goals without stretching things. It sounds like John Gibson could return tonight killing the minimal value Bernier had.
Corey Crawford – 25 saves on 26 shots. There are a few things working in Crawford’s favor for a strong push through the last month of the season. One, Darling is out injured. Two, they’re battling for the division title giving Coach Q incentive to play him. Three, they only have one back to back over the last month making it easier to roll Crawford. Four, there is no four, if you’re unsatisfied I can’t help you!
Brian Elliott – 24 save shutout in the 5-0 win over the Canadiens. The Flames have won eight straight with Elliott leading the way for most of them. If you somehow managed to stay afloat all season despite owning Elliott, you’re going to be in great shape in your playoffs.
Michael Frolik – Two assists with four shots. Solid streamer and I could see holding him for the multi-category line but it’s not good enough in any category for me to hold him.
Johnny Gaudreau – Goal and three assists with three shots. Like the rest of the Flames, he’s catching fire on the right time. Get it? Flames on fire! Hahaha. I’ll see myself out… just kidding, I have more players to look at.
Sean Monahan – Goal and an assist with two shots. Same story as Gaudreau.
Michael Stone – Goal and an assist. If you grabbed him after the trade to Calgary, you can safely cut him. The role isn’t big enough right now.
Josh Bailey – Three assists with two shots. Bailey has been a nice surprise this season becoming a consistent bottom-end hold. It’s assists heavy but it’s good enough everywhere.
Troy Stecher – Goal and an assist with two shots. I think there’s some long term potential here if he sticks as a power play option. For now, leave him on the waiver wire.
Brent Burns – Three assists with three shots. Brent Burns doing Brent Burns things! Burns has played his way into a five (5!) way tie for 2nd in the league in points. Unbelievable.
Logan Couture – Two goals on four shots. He’s heating up right now with 3+3 in the last five. It’s not great in any category but it’s solid or better in everything but plus-minus. Big fan of his game in general although it doesn’t always translate into fantasy supremacy.
Jannik Hansen – Assist with a shot in his Sharks debut. He played on the top line making him a viable streamer.
Joe Pavelski – Goal and an assist with two shots and two PIM. On top of six points in his last five, Little Joe has surprisingly added 10 PIM. It’s his usual terrific stat line.
Joe Thornton – Goal and an assist. The goalie was even in the net! It’s a solid or better contribution in four categories but the other two are so bad that it buries you. Not a fan at all.
Marian Gaborik – Goal and an assist with three shots and two PIM. Color me skeptical that this is the prelude to any sort of streak by Gabby.
Jarome Iginla Two goals on six shots. Both goals came on the power play, including the winner in OT. The fact that he’s out there on a 4-3 in OT is a bit perplexing but interesting for fantasy. I can get behind streaming him in good matchups but nothing more.
Jonathan Quick – 21 saves on 23 shots in the 3-2 OT win over the Predators. Meh, he’s been fine since he’s come back but nothing special. Also known as Quick has been the goalie he’s been for years.
Friday’s Streamers:
David Perron (17.0%) – I’d like to note to start that if any of the Chicago players in the top six are available in your league, they are better streamers than these three. Anyways, Perron is still in the top six and second power play unit. The Ducks were worked last night despite winning and are setup for a letdown game against the Blues.
Jake Guentzel (10.5%) – He has three goals in the last five games and I expect the Penguins to dictate the play against the Oilers.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (2.6%) – Going back to the well again. He has a goal in two straight and the Sabres are quite a mess defensively right now.
That’s all for now guys. I’ll be back on Monday recapping all of the weekend’s action before we start fantasy hockey playoffs! Best of luck this weekend to everyone pushing to get in. As always, feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments below. Thanks for reading, take care!
