For most fantasy hockey leagues, the home stretch is really here. In quite a few head-to-head leagues, the playoffs start on Monday. It was a crazy week for highlights and even crazier for teams and fantasy hockey teams alike. This week we will take three of the crazier hockey events and break it down into fantasy terms. At any rate, expect a little of the unexpected.
Three For The Fantasy Hockey Road
Seven In Twenty? — The New York Islanders did something no one expected. They scored an unfathomable seven goals in a twenty minute outburst against the Vancouver Canucks last Monday night. It was truly a period for the ages as the Islanders had seven different goal scorers. The Elias Sports Bureau was stumped and so were many others. Kyle Okposo led the way with three assists while four other players had two points apiece. It was a great night for fantasy owners with Islander players. It has to be said the Islanders were just tickled pink that they won a game. Nevermind, anything goes in fantasy hockey and this balanced effort proved what a crazy world the NHL can be sometimes. Only Cal Clutterbuck had four shots on goal. Every other Islander had three or less.
Montreal’s Divine Intervention
Four In Four? — The Montreal Canadiens were down three goals to the Ottawa Senators with less than four minutes remaining in the third period. Then it happened. P.K. Subban set up not one, not two, but three goals in a row. The game tracker from TSN was very interesting as far as looking at how Montreal just keep shooting. Ultimately, Francis Bouillon of all people won the game in overtime with his first goal of the year. It was that kind of night as Montreal stole one by a goal. Ottawa was up in arms and rightfully so. Five different Montreal players had scored and four of them in about the last four minutes of the hockey game. Brian Gionta, Lars Eller, and David Desharnais all had two points each in the comeback. Also, P.K. Subban led the team in shots with seven, played nearly 29 minutes, and was allowed to basically be Subban in the closing minutes. The 48 shots on goal and 25+ scoring chances led Ottawa to wilt under the pressure. Simply the Ottawa Senators and their defense cracked as well. However, the comeback is something that will be remembered for a long time.
Sidney Crosby‘s Pointless Weekend
None In Two? — There are few teams that can get under Sidney Crosby’s skin. The Philadelphia Flyers are no doubt one of them. Overall, the Flyers outscored the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-3 over the weekend and took both ends of the home and home. More importantly for fantasy hockey owners was the fact that Sidney Crosby was held pointless in both games. Crosby had one scoring chance on Sunday and was a -3 on Saturday. It was weird to see him not only as a non-factor but almost a liability on the ice at times. He was rattled and that should not happen to a player of his caliber. Yet, we all saw it on national television. Give Claude Giroux and company credit as they held “Sid The Kid” off the ledger and maybe proved the blueprint still rings true on the Penguins. Get them rattled and they beat themselves for you. It’s true. It’s true.
