Fantasy Hockey Analysis

Fantasy Hockey Scouts: The Fantasy Five - Week #15

#1 Give 'em a Look

Over the past four seasons Andy McDonald had 259 points in 292 games (.89 points/game) and had exceeded .95 points/game in three of those four seasons, so when he (and a lot of his St.Louis teammates) struggled out of the gate (14 points in his first 26 games) it wasn't hard to speculate that he'd break out of the funk eventually... well, now is eventually as A-Mac has 7+2=9 in his last eight games and with the Blues having a new voice behind the bench and more creative freedom, we wouldn't be surprised if he went on a tear that lasted the rest of the season.

Others worth a look: Jamie Langenbrunner (NJ – W), Steve Downie (TB - W), Kurtis Foster (TB – D) and Michal Neuvirth (Was – G)

When Dustin Penner started the year with 9+10=19 in his first 13 games, nobody thought he could keep anything close to that up but he proved a lot of people wrong as he went 9+8=17 over his next 20 games. But now it appears as though the doubters will get their wish as he's gone 2+2=4 with a minus-4 and 22 shots over his past 10 games. With the Oilers struggling mightily and Ales Hemsky out for the year, its time to consider cutting bait... you may still be able to get something for him but regardless there's most likely better options on your bench or the waiver wire right now.

Others worth a boot: Michael Ryder (Bos – W), Miroslav Satan (Bos – W), JS Giguere (Ana – G) and Ondrej Pavelec (Atl – G)

Patrice Bergeron took a shot to the thumb and that'll leave a mark... actually he broke the thumb but the recovery time doesn't look that bad as he's only expected to miss 2-3 weeks. Good news for Team Canada and fantasy GMs who own this guy as even though he's not lighting the world on fire this year (on pace for 60 points) given that you probably got him on the cheap, he's providing great return on investment.

There's a lot of interesting goalie stand-offs in progress right now but the hottest might be in Montreal where Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price are locking horns in a battle for the #1 job. Halak has started six of the past nine games and has 5-1-0 record with a 2.15 gaa & .948 sv%. Price is also playing well as he has a 2.22 gaa & .930 sv% in his past five games but hasn't been given the goal support and has lost four of five. Add to this that the Habs are currently shopping Halak, who may or may not have demanded a trade, and it's like a soap opera in Habs-land right now (when is it not?).

Interesting article by Ryan Dadoun over at Rotoworld where he gives a few prognostications for the 2nd half of the season... a few teams and players on the rise and a few that are likely to fall. We agree with a few things... like that the Wings are due for a hot patch and the Avalanche will be falling but he seems to be in love with the Lightning (of which we are not) and thinks the Preds are playing over their heads, which they seem to do every year under Barry Trotz... don't they? Regardless if you agree or disagree it's a good time to take a deep breath and re-evaluate your fantasy roster in preparation for a big finish to the season and, possibly, the playoffs.