LEFT WING

Matt Puempel had a hat-track in his last outing grabbing the headlines. All three goals were on the power-play by the way (the first to do that since Mike Gartner in 1994). That’s four goals and five points his last four outings. Even though he has four goals, he’s only taken 10 shots so something has to give (obviously the goal scoring). Added off waivers by the Rangers, he’s only seeing playing time cause of the injuries the team is dealing with, but he is carving out a spot in the lineup.

CENTER

Nick Bjugsted was elevated to the Panthers top line in their last game due to the injury to Aleksander Barkov. He hasn’t done anything, if I’m not mistaken he has two points in seven games, but his spot on the top line certainly necessitates keeping an eye on Nick.

Mr. Carrie Underwood, and yes I’m jealous, Mike Fisher is just a guy in fantasy. Fisher is the fella you turn to when you need a helping hand cause of injury, and now might be that time. Over his last eight outings the center has scored five times, twice on the power-play, with a +5 rating. On the month he’s also dealt out six helpers.

Mathieu Perreault has just eight points in 24 games this season. He’s produced three points his last five and five points his last seven outings. He’s also fired three, three and four shots the last three outings, and five times in his last nine outings he’s taken at least three shots on net.

Ryan Spooner has gone from a potential trade chip earlier in the month to a productive player of late. He scored twice in his last outing and now has a point in 4-straight games for the Bruins (3g, 3a). He also has nine points his last nine outings.

RIGHT WING

Timo Meier isn’t scoring, but he’s active. Despite not seeing more than 12:45 in any of his last three games he’s taken four shots on net. He’s actually taken four shots in four straight and over his last three games he’s been active physically as well with nine hits.

The Wild are winning games, up to 12-victories in a row, so why not grab a guy and go for a ride? Chris Stewart has a goal in 2-straight and three in six outings. The former star, turned burnout, is at least doing something of late.

DEFENSE

Jason Demers has scored twice while handing out a helper his last three outings. Going back a bit further the Panther has three goals and three assists in six games. That’s good. He’s a +4 skater in that time as he continues to rack up 19 minutes of ice-time per outing (18:56 to 19:44 the last six games).

David Savard was a +8 skater in November, a mark that has vaulted to +15 in 13 December games as the Jackets are streaking in the month (14-straight wins). He only has five points in December, but that plus/minus has to be taken seriously.

The last eight games Nikita Zaitsev has a goal and five helpers. His last five games he’s posted a +7 rating. He’s taken three shots on net three times in six games and four times in nine games. He’s also blocked eight shots the last three games. Just saying.

GOALTENDER

Jared Coreau has been called upon as Jimmy Howard has been sent to the sidelines with an MCL sprain. Don’t know if he’s still out there or not in your league, but with Petr Mrazek failing to put his best foot forward, Coreau is starting to gain a footing with the Wings (see what I did there?). In his last two outings, both wins, Jared has posted a .919 save percentage while allowing five goals).

Al Montoya has allowed four goals his last three appearances on 62 shots (.935 save percentage). He could see an extra start in the next week with Carey Price struggling a big of late (seven goals and two loses his last two outings).

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).