Fantasy Hockey Player Notes:
C David Desharnais, Montreal Canadiens: The diminutive pivot is centering the Habs’ top line and putting up respectable numbers, while also seeing power play time.
C Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators: The former Senator is contributing across all fantasy categories of late and is putting together a really nice run in the Music City.
C Ryan Strome, New York Islanders: He isn’t getting ideal even strength opportunities, but is seeing power play time and has all kinds of upside. At worst, keep an eye on Strome, he is gaining confidence every night.
C/LW Jussi Jokinen, Pittsburgh Penguins: After a rough patch, Jokinen is getting back on track and his linemates James Neal and Evgeni Malkin will keep him fantasy relevant going forward.
C/RW Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche: If he is somehow available in your league, look for tougher competition next season. He is still available in a lot of leagues, somehow.
LW Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers: The Rangers are might be turning the corner and Zuccarello is an offensive catalyst for the Blue Shirts. He sees enough power play time to be a low-end left wing option at worst.
LW Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers: Mr. Everything for fantasy hockey purposes, Hartnell is riding an eight game point streak and is widely available. He can help.
RW Patric Hornqvist, Nashville Predators: Need shots? Hornqvist puts all kinds on net and should hit twenty goals for the fourth time this year. He is a low-end option at worst.
RW Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: This is more of a wait and see, but in deeper formats there is high-end offensive upside here and Kucherov has silky hands and scoring instincts.
D Andrew MacDonald, New York Islanders: The Isle’s rearguard is a must own in Average Time on Ice leagues and he has eight helpers in the past two weeks and five on the power play.
Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday, January 8th – Ottawa Senators at Colorado Avalanche: Ottawa is among the leagues most vulnerable when shorthanded and the Aves will have revenge on their mind after a poor showing against the Flames.
Thursday. January 9th – St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames: This is a mismatch, so load up on your Blues in daily games. Even better, the Blues are well rested in Alberta after visiting Edmonton Tuesday night.
Thursday. January 9th – Minnesota Wild at Phoenix Coyotes: The Wild’s lineup is in shambles with injuries and the Coyotes power play will look to get back on track against the horrid Minnesota penalty kill. This isn’t a slam dunk though.
Friday, January 10th – Dallas Stars at New York Rangers: The Rangers are turning it on with the man advantage and the Stars are a favorable matchup.
Friday, January 10th – Pittsburgh Penguins at Edmonton Oilers: The Pens’ top power play is back to full strength and although the Oilers aren’t a favorable matchup, it should be open season for Pittsburgh.
Saturday, January 11th – Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils: The Devils’ power play is putting it together of late, while the Panthers have been awful while shorthanded all season.
Saturday, January 11th – Pittsburgh Penguins at Calgary Flames: The Pens are on the wrong end of a back-to-back, the fortunate thing it is they play the Flames. The Flames won’t be able to slow down Pittsburgh.
