Frozen Fantasy: Games-in-Hand Matter

Social media has never been more toxic. This isn't about politics - it's about misinformation.

It's worse than post-game call-ins on AM radio.

Earlier this week, I started scrolling through a conversation about the hottest team in hockey. No not the Leafs – the Minnesota Wild. But the discussion devolved into how they're barely worth mentioning in the Wild Card race.

Go figure. The team with the fifth-best winning percentage (.720) in the league. Misinformed to say the least.

What was missing from the discussion was the context of games played. And by extension games-in-hand. Minnesota has played the third-fewest games in the NHL, so there's little doubt about where they're headed.

And how valuable their players are.

This season, games-in-hand is a massive advantage for teams and fantasy managers. Especially managers with games-played flexibility – you don't want to get to season's end without maximizing your Yahoo! limit and that can be hard to gauge with so many PPD.

So I'm using the All-Star break to take a close look at my games-in-hand. And then scouring the wire for potential gems.

The Isles have the fewest games played (39), but they look really old and slow. I'm not sure how much value is there and I'm still stinging from overestimating Anders Lee at draft.

Next up are the Sens (40), Wild (41) and then the Canes, Leafs, Jets, Oil and Flames (42). Lots to like there.

The Ducks have played the most (48), so they may need to hold on tight to season's end. Especially with both the Flames and Oilers with six games in hand. That's scary.

The Caps, Rangers, Panthers, Wings and Kings have all played 47. Some guys from these teams may be worth trading by deadline.

Short-term, I'm still working on riding the hottest hands regardless of uniform. But I'm monitoring these games-played situations closely. 

They're going to matter at some point soon. And I want to be in the ready position to take full advantage.

Now, let's take a look at who caught my eye this week. 

Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, Los Angeles (44 percent Yahoo!) – Arvidsson is firing pucks like he's never done before – he wired 26 shots in just four games heading into the break, and earned four points including three goals. He, Trevor Moore and Philip Danault have been the Kings' most effective line for about a month, and there's no end in sight. Arvidsson is a three-time 29 (or more) goal guy. He's not likely to get there this season, but stranger things can happen when you shoot like he does.

Rudolfs Balcers, LW/RW, San Jose (1 percent Yahoo!) – Balcers is quietly hot – he's on a five-game, five-point roll coming out of the break. And it includes four goals. The second liner also has 12 hits and seven hits in that span. Balcers is a definite use while hot guy, and this goal scoring can really prop up that category. Especially in deep formats.

Michael Bunting, LW, Toronto (28 percent Yahoo!) – Bunting is the perfect sidekick for Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He has points in seven of his last 10 games, including six goals (10 points total), and solid category coverage with 24 shots and 11 hits. Bunting isn't a power-play guy, but secondary scorers on high-octane teams should be on more than just one in every four leagues.

Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Minnesota (54 percent Yahoo!) – Eriksson Ek really has taken the next step in his career. His ice time is increasing and so is his faceoff winning percentage. Sure, he's still just under 50 per cent, but he's getting loads of opportunities and has 59 in his last six games. But it's his shot totals that leap out to me. Eriksson Ek is on-pace for an astronomical 250-plus over an 82-game season. And with his shooting percentage, the goals are going to come. I'm buying in where I can given all those extra games in hand.

Zach Hyman, LW/RW, Edmonton (66 percent Yahoo!) – The Oilers seem to have gone from stumble to soar since Evander Kane arrived. Lines are better balanced and they're rolling in waves. Hyman comes out of the break on a three-game, five-point roll with eight shots, a plus-5 rating and a couple hits. Hyman is rostered in a lot of leagues, so he might not be out there for you. But if he is, you should take a hard look.

Trevor Moore, LW/RW, Los Angeles (12 percent Yahoo!) – Moore was on this list a few weeks ago and he's just kept up the pace. So much so that he finished with the best January output of any Kings' player since Anze Kopitar in 2010. I'll let that sink in. In 14 games, Moore put up four goals, 16 points and a plus-15 rating (second-best in the NHL). He has the full trust of his coaches and that means he'll be in the team's top-six going forward. You're missing out if you're not playing this guy.

Petr Mrazek, G, Toronto (45 percent Yahoo!) – Grab this guy. Now. Jack Campbell has cooled, perhaps from overuse. And Mrazek is going to be counted on to play a lot over the second half. He started two of the Leafs' last five games heading into break and went 3-0 after entering Monday's game in relief. Yes, he's looked a bit messy in net – he had trouble staying between the posts against the Wings. But that's likely just about getting his spatial sensibility back after such a long absence. The Leafs are good, they have a lot of games in hand and Campbell needs a rest. Win-win-win for fantasy managers.

Luke Schenn, D, Vancouver (4 percent Yahoo!) – Schenn is a one-hit wonder – the dude knows how to lower the boom in a big way. He was an absolute wrecking ball this week with 19 hits in back-to-back games against Chicago and Nashville. He even managed a rare goal, albeit into an empty net, against the Hawks. Schenn can deliver blocks, and D is usually the one spot where you can afford these one-hit wonders. He may be worth a look.

Back to games-in-hand.

There's another factor to consider: rebuilding teams. Young clubs at the bottom of the standings have little to lose and much to prove. And their players often play over their heads.

So I'm going to be keeping a very close eye on guys like Tim Stutzle, Alex Formenton and Josh Norris of the Sens. Uber-talented, full of confidence and games-in-hand? That's a lottery pick worth buying.

Until next week.