Shutouts Galore

It was quite the low scoring day on Thursday, with eight of the eleven games going under their betting total, two of which needed overtime to do so, plus there was a miracle in Boston (more on that later).  There were four shutouts on the night, all of which were quite surprising.  I’ll go in chronological order.  The Avalanche were undefeated on the season, so naturally Tristan Jarry shut them out, making 31 saves.  Jarry now has two shutouts, two dreadful starts, and one mediocre start.  He’s one of the highest variance goalies around.  I’m lower on him than most, but I acknowledge that he could be a bottom end #1.  Next, Jonas Johansson had his second consecutive shutout, making 23 saves against the Sharks.  He’s clearly must own for now, although like Jarry, the downside is undeniable.  Joel Hofer shutout the Flames, making 27 saves.  I was high on him because I don’t believe in Binnington.  Both have been off to a hot start, but I’m skeptical of the Blues being good defensively.  I’m bullish in Hofer for dynasties, but in redrafts, he’s a selective streamer with upside.  Welcome to the Razzball Database!  Lastly, Jonathan Quick shut out the Oilers, making 29 saves.  He made a couple spectacular saves, but color me skeptical.  I think this says more about the Oilers without McJesus than anything.  Quick is a reasonable streamer in plus matchups for now, but know that it could blow up in your face.  Let’s see what else happened on Wednesday and Thursday night:

Alex Ovechkin – Goal and an assist with four shots.  The shot volume is getting back to where we are accustomed to.  One goal closer to Gretzky!

Evgeny Kuznetsov – Two assists with two shots.  Kuz played over 24 minutes in this game.  He’s had a slow start, but that’s extremely encouraging.  He’s on the fringe.

Anthony Mantha – Goal and an assist with three shots.  Mantha requested a trade, but I’m not sure there’s a market for him.  This was his first good game of the season.  He’s a bottom end streamer at best right now.

Dylan Strome – Two goals on three shots playing over 21 minutes.  Strome is an elite streamer pushing towards the fringe as long as he’s with Ovechkin.

Tyler Toffoli – Two goals and an assist.  As noted in my Wednesday notes, it’s Toffoli time!

Jack Hughes – Three assists with four shots.  Hughes has started as well as anybody in the entire league.

Timo Meier – Goal and an assist with two shots.  It’s been a slow start for Meier, but it’s only a matter of time until he gets rolling.  If you can buy low, I absolutely would.

Ryan Strome – Two assists with two shots.  Strong start from Strome, who has seven points in seven games.  The shot rate is poor, so he’s a solid streamer.

Troy Terry – Goal and an assist with two shots.  Terry’s shot rate is excellent, and the minutes are through the roof, so I’m holding him.  He’s a step above the fringe for me.

Leo Carlsson – Goal and an assist with three shots playing over 22 minutes.  Leo! <Dr. Evil voice>.  Long term, there’s superstar potential.  For this season, he’s an elite streamer with the potential to be a hold.  The problem is that Anaheim is going to sit him fairly regularly so he doesn’t wear out by the end of the season.

Charlie McAvoy – Three assists with a shot.  His shot rate is the only thing keeping McAvoy from a top ten defenseman.

David Pastrnak – Goal and an assist with nine shots.  Pretty much the game that you’d expect from Pasta against a bottom feeder like Anaheim.

Connor Hellebuyck – 35 saves on 36 shots in the 4-1 win over the Red Wings.  That’s the Hellboy we’re accustomed to.  He’ll be just fine.

Nino Niederreiter – Goal and an assist with three shots and four blocks.  Nino could be more on a different team, but he’s a middling streamer in Winnipeg.

Mason Appleton – Goal and an assist with three shots.  Appleton is down to the third line.  A decent third line, but a third line nonetheless.  Bottom end streamer.

Oliver Bjorkstrand – Goal and an assist.  Bjorkstand used to have an elite shot rate, but now, it’s below average for a forward.  Solid streamer, but not in hold territory.

Martin Necas – Two goals and an assist with six shots.  Great start for Necas, whose minutes are where they should be.  Props to Y2B for picking him in the Three Point Challenge!

Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Goal and an assist with two shots.  Not everyone’s development is a straight upwards projection.  Kotkaniemi seems to be rounding into form now.  He’s a hold in all formats for now, although he is close to the fringe.

Jack Roslovic – Goal and two assists with four shots.  Roslovic is extremely up and down, but right now, he’s on the first line.  He played over 20 minutes, and is in the midst of a four game point streak.  Elite streamer while he’s hotter than a pistol.

Emil Bemstrom – Two goals on four shots.  I’m a sucker for Bemstrom’s game.  It’s not flashy, but his speed is a factor and he has a heavy shot.  He’s second line and PP2, but the minutes are still low enough that he’s stuck as a middling streamer.

Cole Caufield – Goal and two assists with eight shots.  Nick Suzuki had a goal and two assists with five shots.  Both played over 20 minutes.  Even in a down year for Montreal, these two should be a bright spot.

Michael Matheson – Goal and an assist with two shots.  Matheson is always underrated in fantasy circles.  Now, he’s a clear hold, as he played over 28 minutes in this one.

Reilly Smith – Two goals on three shots.  Decent start for Smith in Pittsburgh with 4+2 in seven games.  He’s a solid streamer, but it’s hard to expect more when he has no chance to break into PP2.

Steven Stamkos – Goal and an assist with two PIM.  Stammer went from putting all of the shots on goal to having one shot on goal in three games.  Sure, it was a goal, but he needs to start pumping shots on net to pay off his ADP.

Mikhail Sergachev – Two assists with a shot, as did Victor Hedman.  It’s fitting that these two had the same stat line.  This time, Sergachev got the power play point.  As noted in preseason, who is on PP1 is going to change a dozen times, if not more.  It’s already changed three times in October.  That’s why I have both in the top end of #2 defenseman with upside from there.

Nick Perbix – Two assists.  Decent player in real life, but not much for fantasy.

Bo Horvat – Goal and an assist with six shots.  It’s nice to see Horvat with an elite shot rate.  With how the Isles play, he can’t repeat last year’s Vancouver pace, but he can still be a top 100 player.

Noah Dobson – Goal and an assist with five shots, three blocks, and four PIM.  I’m starting to feel better and better about Dobson having a post-hype breakout this season.  He looks fantastic.

Cam Atkinson – Three assists with three shots.  Despite missing all of last season, Atkinson looks fantastic.  He’s on the fringe right now, as I’m a bit skeptical of it lasting, especially with potential fatigue.

Travis Sanheim – Goal and two assists with two shots, playing over 27 minutes.  Clear hold everywhere with his current workload.

Sean Couturier – Goal and an assist with two shots.  I can’t believe how well Couturier is playing after all of this missed time.  He should be held everywhere.

Travis Konecny – Goal and an assist with five shots and two PIM.  It’s time to start talking about Konecny as a fantasy superstar.  He’s a point per game player who hits all of the categories extremely well.

Morgan Rielly – Goal and an assist playing over 26 minutes.  I was bullish about Rielly despite the arrival of Klingberg.  He’s been very good so far, and there’s upside for more if Klingberg gets hurt or struggles.

Joseph Woll – 31 saves on 32 shots in the 4-1 win over the Stars.  I highly doubt he’s available anywhere, but Woll is clearly must own.  There’s a chance he runs with the job and is a bottom end #1.

Oskar Sundqvist – Goal and an assist with four shots.  And there’s your biannual Sundqvist update!

Artemi Panarin – Two assists with seven shots.  You couldn’t get one more point for me to get on the board for the challenge?  Great start for Panarin regardless, with at least one point in every game.

Adam Fox – Goal and an assist with two shots.  He’s as consistent as they come on the blue line.