DailyJoust.com NHL Bargains - April 5th, 2012

Posted by Chris Fairs on 04/05/2012 | 0 Comments

There are still 5 spots up for grabs in this year’s post-season and 2 games left in which to secure the chance to compete for the cup!  Those who have clinched are starting to rest their stars as Tim Thomas and Patrice Bergeron will not be making the trip to Ottawa for tonight’s game against the Senators.  Again, make sure you’re vigilant for these last couple nights as you do not want to waste a roster spot on a player who’s been given a “maintenance day”.

Bargain Bin

The Bargain Bin features dirt cheap players who are in a good opportunity to snag a point or two.  Sometimes it’s hard to avoid adding the odd scrub or two to your lineup so you may as well the one with the best opportunity to succeed!

Justin Faulk:  Faulk has had a very respectable first season for Carolina, posting 22 points and logging big minutes night in and night out as a defenseman.  While these numbers aren’t jaw-dropping, neither is Carolina as a whole this year.  The minutes and opportunity are clearly present for the young blue-liner as he’s logging over 20 a game plus top PP time.  What makes him a great start tonight is the abysmal Peter Budaj he will be facing.  His 2 points in 2 games against Montreal this season don’t hurt either.  At 60k Faulk makes a great cheap pickup capable of grabbing you an assist or two for tonight’s games.

Gustav Nyquist:  Nyquist had 6 points in 7 games during his latest recall before being moved back to the fourth line when Franzen returned.  He saw his ice-time dialled back to less than 10 minutes a game.  The young Red Wing now suddenly finds himself back on a scoring line and ready to return to the pace he was prior to the demotion.  Nyquist is lining up on the second line tonight with Datsyuk and Franzen.  Sounds like the perfect remedy to Nyquist’s mini-slump to me.  At 66k Nyquist gives you a good chance to pick up some very cheap points.

Jake Gardiner:  Gardiner is another rookie defenseman who has been extremely impressive this season.  He’s managed to pick up 28 points in 73 games so far and he seems to be saving his best for last.  He has 9 points in his last 16 games and has fought his way onto the top PP unit.  The icing on the cake is his 4 points in 3 games against Tampa so far this year, which I guess means his 74k salary for tonight is the sprinkles.

Economical Opportunities

Economical Opportunities are players with a slightly higher price tag but a much higher chance to succeed.  They’re the players who are in the right situation at the right time and have the potential for a huge night at a very reasonable cost.

John Tavares:  Tavares has been quite the streaky player so far this season.  He’s had multiple mini-scoring slumps but when he’s hot, watch out!  Right now he’s hot.  He has 4 points in his last 3 games after posting back-to-back goose eggs.  The Winnipeg goaltending tandem hasn’t allowed less than 3 goals in a game since March 18^th.  The star’s are aligned for Tavares to have a multi-point night making him well worth the 100k he’ll cost you tonight.

Phil Kessel:  Sticking with the streaky-theme, they don’t get any streakier than Phil the Thrill.  And Phil is hot right now with 4 points in his last 2 games.  It really doesn’t matter which goalie Tampa decides to roll with tonight (likely Roloson) as the aging Roloson has been dreadful all year and Caron’s bubble burst to the tune of 5 goals against on 25 shots.  Kessel also has 3 points against Tampa in 3 games already this season and is most likely hungry to break the 40 goal mark for the first time in his career.  While 139k is a little on the high side I expect a big game from Kessel tonight making him more than worth it.

Jordan Eberle:  Eberle is having a sophomore year to remember.  Ranking 14^th in the league in points and 15^th in goals on a team that’s already clinched yet another lottery pick in this year’s draft is no easy feat.  His 2 points in 2 games against Anaheim make him all but a must start for tonight’s games.  With the Jekyll and Hyde routine Hiller has been pulling this season Eberle could easily turn out to be a steal at 102k.