Ryan McDonagh (1 G, 2 A, 3 SOG, +3, 2 PIM) lead the way for the streaking Rangers scoring the game winner in OT. He also dished out two primary assists, ended up plus-3 and even threw in a couple PIM to make the game complete. I didn’t think he’d get there, but McDonagh is looking at breaking the 50-point/15 goal markers this season and that easily sits him among the league’s best fantasy defenseman. To give you an idea of just how quickly McDonagh has found his way into the ranks of the elite, chew on this factoid; with 13 goals in 73 games so far this season he has eclipsed his total from his previous three seasons, where he scored 12 goals over 169 games. That’s no joke! Does it mean he’s a flash in the pan? That he’ll regress back to the mean starting next year? I don’t think so. I think what we’re seeing here is a premiere defensemen coming into his own and he should, at the very least, maintain this kind of production for seasons to come. The coaching change is a big help here; John Tortarella put McD out there for less than a minute, on average, of power play time per game. You could justify that and say it’s because he was young, but come on, less than a minute? Alain Vigneault puts him out there for an average or 2:53, and he’s cashing in on that like whoa. If you were lucky enough to grab him in a keeper league on the cheap this year, enjoy the ride, because he’s not going to be cheap again until he’s aging and fading. So why does this matter right now? Could a guy like this possible be available? Why yes, yes he can! Try 31% of Yahoo leagues. He’s owned in 100% of ESPN leagues, so that does nothing for you ESPN folks, but I added him on two of my Yahoo teams just for the playoff run. Seriously. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in the world o’ fantasy hockey last night:
When the Ducks dealt Bobby Ryan to the Senators everyone wondered just what they were getting back in Jakob Silfverberg (1 G, 3 SOG, +1), the key player in the deal for the Ducks. Well, if last night’s return to action after missing 24 games with a broken hand is any indication, they might have something special. Jacke (swedish nickname for Jakob, just an FYI) scored a goal and picked up right where he left off back in October when he was matching Ryan point for point through most of the first month of the season. He wasn’t keeping that beautifully OCD parity with his goals and assists that Bobby likes to maintain, but despite missing those 24 games he’s on pace for as many goals. I guess he figures he needs to score a goal for every game he misses? What a work ethic on this kid! So what can he do for the rest of the year? It remains to be seen whether or not he pans out into a top-six forward or not, but he’s absolutely worth a flier in most leagues because the boy loves to score some goals and we love guys who love scoring goals. Jacke is mature for his age, strong, smart and a great skater with a solid set of technical skills. He has a nose for the net, as I’ve mentioned, but his shot lacks a bit of accuracy at this point in his young career. Still, he’s an immensely talented young player and worth a flier in most leagues. That’s the second time I’ve said so in this paragraph alone, so go get him! Anyway, here’s what else I saw in fantasy hockey last night:
The New Jersey Devils are the only winless team left in the NHL after Craig Anderson stopped 40 shots and the Ottawa Senators knocked off the Devils 5-2. Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson each scored in the win. Please, blog, may I have some more?
There are Stars in the sky but there were no Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2013 following a .500 season. Dallas missed the playoffs for a fifth straight year and the Stars have cleaned house with a new general manager and coach. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Craig Anderson made 33 saves as the Ottawa Senators blanked the New Jersey Devils 2-0 to send them to a ninth straight loss. Ottawa fired just 11 shots on goal and Martin Brodeur stopped nine shots for the Devils. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Sheldon Souray’s goal with 2:08 left in regulation lifted the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 win over Chicago and pulled the Ducks within three points of the top spot in the league. Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Phoenix Coyotes are resembling Wile E. Coyote more and more with each passing day. Shane Doan and company seem to be using Acme hockey sticks as they were shutout for a third straight game. Please, blog, may I have some more?
For the second time this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins used a three-goal third period to steal a win. This time they came back on the Toronto Maple Leafs and picked up a 3-1 win, their seventh in a row. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Literally the day after the first Dustin Brown trade rumor surfaced he notched a Hat Trick (including a Short handed Goal). Two days later he scored the lone Goal in a loss to Nashville and last night 2 Assists in a Kings victory. Please, blog, may I have some more?
On November 15th Roberto Luongo had one of those phantom UBI’s pop up and the next night Cory Schneider got lit up by the Blackhawks. It was a bad start to say the least, but since then he’s given up 4 Goals in 5 games (incl 2 Shutouts). Please, blog, may I have some more?
Per the request of John Tortorella Sean Avery is back in the Big Apple. It’s good to hear those two are friends again…. HA! I can only hope that the Rangers start tanking cuz if they do, the shizz will hit the fan. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Last year I was in love (not like that) with Phil Kessel. I got him on every team thinking it was the year he’d crack 40 Goals. Well he didn’t. He had just 32 and killed my +/- . Please, blog, may I have some more?