In the Razzball realm, the panel of writers (total of one) has been down on Jonathan Toews since I’ve been writing in this space. There were plenty of questions about his overall place 10 days ago when he had 33 points in 46 games. Whatever Toews has been doing over the last four games, he needs to keep that routine going. Toews has been coming on but had the game of the season on Tuesday scoring a hat trick on four shots while adding 2 assists and a +5 rating in the 5-3 win over the Wild. Let’s just say the Wild trying to use Matt Dumba against him didn’t work well. Now, Toews has 42 points giving you the value you hoped for taking him in the early to middle rounds. The new wingers with Toews (more on them later) have brought an offensive surge that Toews owners can only hope continues. Here’s what else happened around the league the last two nights:
James Reimer – 26 saves on 27 shots in the 2-1 win over the Blues. He’s been great over the last month and starting to split with Strombone. I would use him in all starts and would be fine with owning him if you need games.
Jonathan Marchessault – Goal on four shots. I wouldn’t own him anymore now that he’s on the third line but he’s still worth streaming.
Jonathan Bernier – Three saves, three goals against in a period before getting pulled. Woof, that’s his second absolute disaster of a start this year. He’s always up and down so it’s your decision whether to gamble on his starts or not.
Ryan Getzlaf – Two goals on five shots. The penalty minutes and shots have dried up over the years but the points are still coming in.
Sidney Crosby – Goal on five shots with four PIM. He’s been so good this season even by his standards.
Matt Murray – 29 saves on 30 shots in the 3-1 win over the Hurricanes. It’s going to be strong the rest of the way and it should be even better next year when he gets the volume.
Jeff Skinner – Goal on six shots. He’s really fallen off but Skinner’s shot volume has started to come up again. I think we get another good streak from him at some point soon.
Craig Anderson – 29 saves on 30 shots in the 2-1 win over the Devils. Given all of their injuries covered on the last podcast, look for the Sens to be playing tighter games which will help Anderson.
Derick Brassard – Assist with a shot playing over 20 minutes. I’d own him in 12’ers if he’s available while the minutes are excellent.
Carey Price – 28 saves on 30 shots in the 3-2 SO win over the Rangers. He’s been rough lately but he was excellent this game. Look at this save in overtime:
Carey Price with possibly the save of the year. #Habs pic.twitter.com/blbJxyLe0m
— Peter Alper (@PeteAlper) February 22, 2017
Look for him to start getting back on track.
Shea Weber – Goal and an assist with two shots. He’s fallen off mightily after the amazing start to have a stat line right in line with what I expected. The shots are up but the goals and assists should repeat last season’s 20+31.
Rick Nash – Goal on five shots. Fat Rick has been strong this year; it’s unfortunate he had a groin injury keep him out for a while.
Thomas Greiss – 26 saves on 27 shots in the 3-1 win over the Red Wings. Look for the Islanders to ride him down the stretch as they push for the playoffs.
Josh Bailey – Goal and an assist with three shots and two PIM. Bailey has set his new career high in points looking great on the first line. At this point, I think you have to own him.
Thomas Vanek – Assist with a shot and two PIM. I’m really hoping Vanek gets moved at the deadline because he can really help a team at his current level of play.
Tyler Johnson – Two assists with a shot. He’s picking things up lately so I’d hold onto him.
Nikita Kucherov – Goal and three assists with six shots. Finally, I hit on the Three Point Challenge again! Kucherov should go right around the wheel next season at the back end of the first round.
Ondrej Palat – Two goals on four shots. I am more towards streamer for Palat but since the triplets are rolling, I’m find with holding him as well.
Ben Bishop – 20 saves on 21 shots in the 4-1 win over the Oilers. We’re finally getting the Bishop we hoped for allowing six goals in the last five games, all wins. Hopefully it’s relevant for you and he didn’t ruin your season in the early going.
Dustin Byfuglien – Assist with two shots and nine PIM. Played over 26 minutes despite spending nine in the box. Big Buff doing Big Buff things!
Nikolaj Ehlers – Goal on three shots with two PIM. He was ice cold but I have no worries about him going forward.
Patrik Laine – Two goals and two PIM. 30 goals already for Laine. Ridiculous.
Mathieu Perreault – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. Streamer success! I’m going to keep using him as long as he stays on the second line.
Mark Scheifele – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. Nine assists in the last five for Scheifele. All your assists are belong to me!
Jake Gardiner – Goal and an assist with three shots. Big breakout for Gardiner giving me high hope for him going forward. The only thing holding him back from being a #2D is his shot rate.
Leo Komarov – Two goals on three shots. Uncle Leo is still a beast in hits leagues but it’s a bottom end streamer in general. Even though he has a five game point streak right now, I’d use his linemate instead…
Josh Leivo – Two assists with four shots and two PIM. He’s been outstanding since his recall with 8 points in 9 games. Keep streaming the man.
Auston Matthews – Three assists with a shot and two PIM. He ended up with three points but having watched the game, I thought he was extremely disappointing. It shows how good he is that he can struggle yet produce.
William Nylander – Goal and an assist with three shots. On the opposite side of Matthews, Nylander was outstanding. He’s nowhere near as consistent as Matthews but Nylander has been great.
Mikael Backlund – Two goals on four shots. He remains right on the fringe of 12’ers between hold and elite streamer.
Michael Ferland – Two goals on three shots with two PIM. Ferland actually has decent scoring ability but his role is limited at this point.
Johnny Gaudreau – Four assists with two shots. I have made mistakes in my rankings this year (I will do a recap of what I got right and wrong come the end of the season) but my low ranking of Gaudreau has certainly been right. I think this year is more of who he is than the near point per game guy we saw last season.
Mark Giordano – Goal and an assist with two shots. He’s been fine which is good enough to be a #2D this year. It’s above average in all categories at least.
Dougie Hamilton – Goal and an assist with two shots and two PIM. Hamilton has been a marginally better Giordano which is enough to make him a #1. Man, defensemen suck.
Sean Monahan – Three assists with a shot. He had been ice cold and is also making me glad I ranked him low. I expect to be low on him again next season.
Matthew Tkachuk – Two assists with three shots and two PIM. Now here’s a Flame that I love (I do like Dougie though). I’m going to be all in on Tkachuk next season.
Filip Forsberg – Hat trick scoring on all of his shots on goal. The Preds are really starting to pick it up offensively so look for Forsberg to push 30+30 again.
P.K. Subban – Goal and an assist with two shots. Seven points in the last four games gives me the excites.
Colin Wilson – Goal and an assist. Bottom end streamer at best.
Pekka Rinne – 9 saves on 13 shots in 25:12 before getting pulled in the 6-5 OT loss to the Flames. Yikes. Bad Rinne go away!
Richard Panik – Goal and an assist with four shots finishing +5. He was a point of argument on yesterday’s podcast but I’m feeling better about being bullish on Panik for the short term. Keep streaming him.
Nick Schmaltz – Goal and two assists with two shots. He’s also played his way into a viable streamer.
Mikael Granlund – Two goals on four shots. That’s top ten forward Mikael Granlund. What a revelation he’s been.
Mikko Koivu – Two assists with a shot. Four multi-point games in the last five for Koivu. Keep rolling him.
Nino Niederreiter – Two assists with five shots and two PIM. Speaking of post-hype breakouts, El Nino is shooting up the player rater. This is the guy people expected when he was drafted. Remember when the Isles basically gave him away?
Peter Budaj – 24 saves on 25 shots in the 2-1 win over the Avalanche. In other words, exactly what we expect against the Avs.
Adrian Kempe – Assist with two shots and two PIM. The former first round pick could be a nice streamer next season and become a hold in 2018-19. Very nice dynasty target.
Wednesday’s Streamers:
Jussi Jokinen (16.5%) – Jussi J has 8 points in the past 9 and the red hot Panthers get the Oilers with Edmonton on a back to back.
Nick Ritchie (9.1%) – He has an assist with four shots in each of the previous two games playing with Getzlaf. It’s not a great matchup against Boston but with only three games, choices are limited.
Frank Vatrano (5.8%) – The shot volume is steady and with four points in the previous three, that’s good enough.
That’s all for now guys. With the small slate, my next set of daily notes will come out on Friday. We will have a podcast dropping on Thursday so be on the lookout for that as well. As always, feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments below. Thanks for reading, take care!
