This article is part of our Frozen Fantasy series.
Like last week, I need to focus on category boosters for Yahoo! formats. Little else matters right now. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
But at least you go down swinging.
Last week, I took a run at SOG and goaltending points. I added Jason Zucker and Jack Hughes for a run at SOG. It almost worked. I fell short by six, 133-127.
So close. Hughes and Zucker helped.
Goaltending was a different story. I thought I got lucky with Jaroslav Halak coming back from injury. I dropped a couple guys, including Mikael Backlund, to shift things around and get the Bruin into my blue paint.
But Halak lost. And I missed out on seven SOG from the guys I dropped. The implications are obvious.
Somehow I won 7-5. It was on the back of Andrei Vasilevskiy's shutout win on the last day of the week. That pushed me ahead in the wins and SO categories, and the overall win.
Luck helped me. But it hurt Rotowire's Evan Berofsky in the same league. He was in first overall and lost in the semis. He rolled the dice on Jeremy Swayman, who played well but lost 1-0.
If Swayman had earned the SO, Berofsky would have moved to the final. Now he's playing for third after leading the league for weeks.
Win some and lose some. I won my last game. And in head-to-head, that's all you hope for. Now dig in and go for it. I
Like last week, I need to focus on category boosters for Yahoo! formats. Little else matters right now. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
But at least you go down swinging.
Last week, I took a run at SOG and goaltending points. I added Jason Zucker and Jack Hughes for a run at SOG. It almost worked. I fell short by six, 133-127.
So close. Hughes and Zucker helped.
Goaltending was a different story. I thought I got lucky with Jaroslav Halak coming back from injury. I dropped a couple guys, including Mikael Backlund, to shift things around and get the Bruin into my blue paint.
But Halak lost. And I missed out on seven SOG from the guys I dropped. The implications are obvious.
Somehow I won 7-5. It was on the back of Andrei Vasilevskiy's shutout win on the last day of the week. That pushed me ahead in the wins and SO categories, and the overall win.
Luck helped me. But it hurt Rotowire's Evan Berofsky in the same league. He was in first overall and lost in the semis. He rolled the dice on Jeremy Swayman, who played well but lost 1-0.
If Swayman had earned the SO, Berofsky would have moved to the final. Now he's playing for third after leading the league for weeks.
Win some and lose some. I won my last game. And in head-to-head, that's all you hope for. Now dig in and go for it. I know Evan is as he pushes for third.
Let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.
Multi-Categories (G/A/SOG/FW/Hits)
Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Minnesota Wild (28 percent Yahoo!) – Eriksson Ek's 16.2 shooting percentage is utterly unsustainable – he's a career 9-percent guy. But right now, I'll take it. He's riding a seven-game, seven-point streak heading into the weekend. It includes four goals. Plus Eriksson Ek was plus-8 with 13 SOG, 46 FW and 17 hits across those seven games. Multi-category contributors are gold at this time of the season.
Goals
Daniel Sprong, LW/RW, Washington (1 percent Yahoo!) – Sprong is on a three-game, four-goal streak heading into Saturday. The Pens drafted him in 2015 with the hope he'd eventually score goals beside Sidney Crosby. He didn't and is on his third team. Today, Sprong is filling in for an injured Alex Ovechkin on the top line. I'm not sure how long that will last, but he's worth a same-day pick-up if Ovie remains out. He can finish.
Pavel Zacha, LW/C, New Jersey (10 percent Yahoo!) – Zacha is on a three-game goal streak heading into Saturday and also has eight SOG during that span. He's never lived up to his fourth-overall draft position, but Zacha has actually taken a solid offensive step forward this season. He's cruising at about a 25-goal pace for a normal season. File that away for next season, even if you don't grab Zacha now. He could be a low-round overachiever in 2021-22.
Assists
Jason Spezza, RW/C, Toronto (6 percent Yahoo!) – Spezza is on a three-game assist streak (four) heading into Saturday. And even in limited ice, the old man has seven shots and a plus-4 rating in that stretch. He won't play every game going forward, but Spezza is a great leader and makes the most of every moment. Like Ryan Miller below, I have the utmost respect for the guy and even more so when I read about his quiet support of young guys on the AHL Toronto Marlies. It's a read that will make you remember what kindness and generosity can be like. Roster him or not, you root for guys like him.
Roll the Dice
Alexander Barabanov, RW, San Jose (0 percent Yahoo!) – Barabanov had no shot with the Leafs, but he's now skating on the Sharks' top line with Evander Kane and Tomas Hertl. Basement to penthouse – sometimes all you need is a change of scenery. The seven-year KHL veteran is solid on entries and exits, has decent hands and has clicked with Kaner and the Ninja Hertl to the tune of a two-point streak (one and one) in two games. Barabanov won't produce on the power play, but a first-line player available for nothing cannot be overlooked at this time of the year.
FOW
Phillip Danault, C, Montreal (18 percent Yahoo!) – Danault and the Habs are scuffling, but the guy is still dot elite. In five games Friday-to-Friday, he delivered 57 FOW including three, 14-win games. In head-to-head formats, Danault could single-handedly win you that category.
Hits
Brenden Dillon, D, Washington (12 percent Yahoo!) – Dillon plays with an edge and has been a fairly consistent 200-ish hit player over his career. He's really upped the ante on that front this week. In three games, Dillon had 19 hits with a bonus plus-4 rating. Compare him to your weakest link and grab him if he can help you gain ground in that single category.
Blocked Shots
Chris Tanev, D, Calgary (1 percent Yahoo!) – There are two things about Tanev that are absolutely certain and they're linked together. He blocks shots – at least two a game and even more when he gets inspired. And he gets injured… because he blocks shots. This week, Tanev had a six-block game and 11 in four outings. He can give you a boost, as long as he doesn't get hurt.
Goaltending
Brian Elliott, G, Philadelphia (33 percent Yahoo!) – Carter Hart is done (for the year, not forever) and the crease is now Elliott's. At best he's a backup right now, but Alex Lyon clearly isn't going to push him. I'm counting on the Flyers finding a bit of pride over the next couple weeks. They aren't this bad. I think some wins are in store.
Ryan Miller, G, Anaheim (1 percent Yahoo!) – This is a respect shout out, not a pick-up callout. On Saturday, Miller starts what may be his last NHL game. He will retire as the U.S. goalie with the most career NHL wins whether he notches another or not. It will be an emotional night and absolutely worth watching. Miller helped me win a league the year he won his Vezina. I tip my hat.
Back to more targets.
There's one target I'm watching closely. Connor McDavid has an outside shot at 100 points in 56 games this season.
He has 84 with eight games left. Five are against Vancouver.
A 100-point season this year would be like 146 over a regular one.
The last two weeks of the schedule will be nerve wracking and a whole lot of fun. But I'm pulling for Connor. The Oilers, not so much.
Until next week.
