This article is part of our Neutral Zone Wrap series.
It's easy to get down on yourself in fantasy. You build up your lineup, make a couple strategic moves, and go on a nice run. Then, without warning, your success stops. Maybe a couple choices didn't work out or it's only a temporary slump. Your players are solid; they'll recover quickly.
But then there's the part you can't cover. Guys start dropping like flies. It's almost as if the other owners hired someone to take them down. The injuries pile up, but there's no need to worry. You can still replenish via the usual methods. And after all, there's no way to predict when players will get hurt or – at even more opportune times – do something stupid like, say, blindside an opponent or cross-check a ref.
As long as you remain vigilant and monitor what's happening around the league, that's your best strategy. So go out there and turn that discouragement into encouragement. Now, don't you feel better already?
And now, back to our regular fare. Here are the final five teams on our second tour through the NHL. The next couple installments will look at such topics as mock award winners and trade deadline fallout. Set your calendars accordingly.
The Bruins can score, but they'll require more than luck keeping the puck out. If Brad Marchand (goals in 12 of his last 13 games) is the driver, then David Krejci (two goals, nine assists in 10) is the fuel supplier. He's only 19, but David Pastrnak (nine
It's easy to get down on yourself in fantasy. You build up your lineup, make a couple strategic moves, and go on a nice run. Then, without warning, your success stops. Maybe a couple choices didn't work out or it's only a temporary slump. Your players are solid; they'll recover quickly.
But then there's the part you can't cover. Guys start dropping like flies. It's almost as if the other owners hired someone to take them down. The injuries pile up, but there's no need to worry. You can still replenish via the usual methods. And after all, there's no way to predict when players will get hurt or – at even more opportune times – do something stupid like, say, blindside an opponent or cross-check a ref.
As long as you remain vigilant and monitor what's happening around the league, that's your best strategy. So go out there and turn that discouragement into encouragement. Now, don't you feel better already?
And now, back to our regular fare. Here are the final five teams on our second tour through the NHL. The next couple installments will look at such topics as mock award winners and trade deadline fallout. Set your calendars accordingly.
The Bruins can score, but they'll require more than luck keeping the puck out. If Brad Marchand (goals in 12 of his last 13 games) is the driver, then David Krejci (two goals, nine assists in 10) is the fuel supplier. He's only 19, but David Pastrnak (nine in 12) exudes the qualities of a more experienced skater. Matt Beleskey (four in 13) is not doing enough to earn the contract he signed last summer. He's long gone from being the focus, but Zdeno Chara (six in nine, 23 shots, 17 hits, 13 blocks) offers plenty for an old man. It's tough to select one of Joe Morrow (no points in six) or Colin Miller (one in nine) if they're regularly rotated in and out of the lineup.
Out in the Pacific Division, the Kings continue to ride high, but need to watch out for their oncoming California rivals. Milan Lucic (13 in 14, 24 PIM, 48 hits) has reverted to the role of multi-dimensional aggressor. A hot streak and a vacancy (thanks to the ever-so-healthy Marian Gaborik) have elevated Dustin Brown (eight in nine, plus-5) to the top line. Vincent Lecavalier elicited excitement when he arrived from Philly (including a three-game goal streak), but that feeling has dissipated (one in five). Former Cup hero Alec Martinez (five in six, including three on the power play) works fine as a secondary scorer. And that power-play goal last week from Luke Schenn (four in 23, but 41 PIM)? Pretend like it didn't happen.
Chicago can't continue to coast, although the regular season has never really been the Hawks' focus in recent years. Andrew Shaw (seven in nine, including three Monday) remains a fixture alongside Jonathan Toews and a nuisance in front of the net. Without Marian Hossa (leg injury, could be out a while), Richard Panik (one goal in 10) receives an invitation to join the aforementioned duo. If there's any category in which Teuvo Teravainen (finally found the scoresheet after 10 straight misses) shows consistency, it's disappointing fantasy owners. Michal Rozsival (three in 12) is having trouble staying on the active roster, which is probably why the 'Hawks recalled giant blueliner Viktor Svedberg (10 in 30 with Rockford, four in 18 with Chicago).
It's amazing how some believed all the Oilers' woes could magically be solved by one person's comeback. Just don't tell that to either Jordan Eberle or Benoit Pouliot (both at 10 in seven), who love having their young center pad their stats. If you're confused as to why Mark Letestu (three in 14, minus-4) occupies a spot on the prime power-play unit, you're not alone. Lauri Korpikoski (four in 16) has been struggling and is being bounced around the lines. Zack Kassian only does two things well: fight (45 PIM) and hit (42). The production isn't necessarily terrible from Andrej Sekera (four in 15, all on the man advantage), but a little more would help. Speaking of stopping short of stability, Justin Schultz (five in 20, minus-10) should be its spokesperson.
The bottom may have fallen out in Columbus, yet there's still more room to dig. Brandon Dubinsky has been revitalized under familiar boss John Tortorella (31 in 43 since the hiring). With all he's accomplishing, Cam Atkinson (10 in eight, 31 shots) would get more attention in other locales. No encore for Nick Foligno (three in nine, 28 in 48 overall, goodbye stardom), but that would've been unfair to expect. A new home means monster minutes and responsibility for Seth Jones (10 assists in 16 while averaging 24:20 on the ice). Big minutes have also come Ryan Murray's way (24:26 over the last 22 games), albeit with less success (just four points in that span). The goaltending mess has left Joonas Korpisalo (2.19 GAA, .934 save mark in 13) as the headliner, but he should get some relief soon with Curtis McElhinney (3.33, .888 in 15) back in the fold.
Key Matchups
Some colorful clashes highlight this week's schedule:
Wednesday: Montreal at Colorado. This is the Patrick Roy Bowl, minus the hype or hope from either side. Tread carefully.
Thursday: Los Angeles at St. Louis. The Kings head east for a tough three-game set, the middle one in River City. The watchability level depends entirely on who's starting in net.
Saturday: New Jersey at Washington. Don't try to figure out how the Devils are still hanging around the playoff race. Just let it happen. And then watch the Caps demolish them this weekend.
Sunday: Chicago at Minnesota. Kudos to the league for putting an outdoor game in Minnesota mid-February. Get your popsicles ready because it's gonna get really cold outside, dont'cha know.
