Four Games: Arizona, Toronto, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Buffalo, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Colorado, Winnipeg, Columbus
Three Games: Anaheim, St. Louis, San Jose, Minnesota, New York Rangers, Calgary, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Florida, Dallas, Detroit
Two Games: Carolina, Washington, Nashville, Chicago, Tampa Bay
One Game: Boston, Montreal
LEFT WING
Viktor Arvidsson has two goals (one on the power-play) and two helpers his last five games. The last four times out he’s seen at least 17 minutes of ice-time as he’s crested 18 the last two outings. His last seven outings have also produced a +5 rating.
It’s certainly possible that Jonathan Huberdeau is on waivers. Change that fact if he is. The young winger has been cleared to return from an Achilles issue and hopes to make his season debut Friday. The future star posted 20 goals and 59 points last season and it shouldn’t take him long to solidify his spot on the first line.
CENTER
Calle Jarnkrok has scored twice in three games (one of the goals was on the man advantage). Excitingly, he’s seen more than two minutes of power-play action in 2-of-3 outings helping him to two power-play points.
Mark Letestu has two goals in seven games. He’s also dealt out a helper in that time. So why and I wasting my time on a guy who isn’t producing points of late, or really, this season (23 points in 50 games)? How about because he’s been a +7 skater his last eight games.
Elias Lindholm has four assists his last four games and over his last eight he’s posted seven points. Even more exciting is that he’s produced three power-play points in four outings. Should that level of production be on waivers?
RIGHT WING
Marian Gaborik is back. OK, it’s foolish to say that after everything that has happened, but it seems like he’s healthy and feeling pretty good. The winger has two goals his last three outings and he has two assists his last four games. That’s a point in 4-straight outings. Ride him while hot, but keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Jason Pominville has scored 20-goals seven times. He scored just 11 times last season and has only eight in 50 games this season. Still, things are improving. Over his last seven games Pominville has two goals and six assists. That will play, won’t it?
DEFENSE
Dave Engelland had two points in his last game to push his season total up to 10 points. He’s not really an offensive producer. However, he was over 20 minutes of ice-time in both outings, has been a +3 skater his last two games, and over his last three he’s taken six shots, has laid out five hits, and has blocked seven shots.
Josh Mason hasn’t posted a point his last seven games. But, if you’re in a deeper league, he’s got one thing going for him in a big way – he’s mashing the opponent. Since laying the lumber on the Blues for 10 hits on January 15th, Josh has picked up the physical pace a ton with at least six hits in three of four outings for the Ducks.
Nikita Nesterov of the Habs has two goals his last three outings as he’s been a +3 skater with six shots on net, five hits given, and three blocked shots. He’s only seen 14 minutes of ice-time in two of three, but he seems to be settling in nicely with his new team.
GOALTENDER
Some names to consider, even if their recent performances are far from encouraging.
The Blues are spiraling a bit, so Carter Hutton is trying to stabilize things in net. It’s not working. He’s allowed 10 goals in his las three starts.
Anders Nilsson has a 3.20 GAA on the road. At home though, he’s a star: 6-1-1, 1.84 GAA, .946 save percentage.
Mike Smith has allowed seven goals the last two outings. He still has a solid .915 save percentage this season but he’s not exactly been sharp of late.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 7 PM EDT, Wednesday 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 8 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).