Games Played, January 16-22

Four Games: Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers

Three Games: Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs

Two Games: Philadelphia Flyers


LEFT WING

Markus Foligno laid out nine hits his last outing. Huge effort. He also picked up 10 penalty minutes as well in the physical outing. That effort comes after 3-straight games with a goal and four goals scored the last seven games (six points overall in 10 games). A long-time physical weapon, his offensive games is on point of late.

Artturi Lehkonen has lit the lamp three ties in four games. In his last two forays onto the ice he’s dealt out two helpers. One goal, and one assist, have come on the power-play as the Canadiens are struggling to battle through a ton of injuries.

CENTER

Andreas Athanasiou has a goal in three of four games. In that time he’s also been a +4 skater for the Wings while taking 14 shots on net (exactly four shots in three of the games). He’s done all this while averaging just under 15 minutes of ice-time.

Markus Granlund had two goals Thursday and has four goals, and an assist, his last five outings as he’s posted a +4 rating for the Canucks.

Jordan Staal has never quite lived up to expectations. However, things are looking up of late. Over his last four outings Staal has scored once while handing out three assists. He’s also been a bit more active than normal with 10 shots on goal the last four outings.

Brandon Sutter has a goal in 2-straight games and has scored three times in five outings. He’s seen more than 17 minutes of ice-time in 9-straight outings though none of his recent production has come on the power-play.  

RIGHT WING

Drew Stafford has a goal and three helpers his last two outings. Patrik Laine continues to be on the sidelines with a concussion opening up more opportunities for Jets to move into scoring positions. A one-time 30-goal scorer, Stafford lit the lamp 21 times last season for the Jets and his shooting percentage is just 6.5 percent, light years from the 11.0 percent mark he owns for his career. Should come up as we move forward.

Kris Versteeg has taken 16 shots on net the last five outings. He’s only scored once, but he’s been active. He’s also produced 10 of his 18 points this season with the man advantage.

DEFENSE

Matt Dumba had three assists Thursday night for the Wild. His last two outings he’s been active on the power-play with a goal and an assist. Over his last 10 outings he’s produced eight points, this after producing 11 points his first 30 outings.

Alexander Edler has dished out three helpers in four outings. His last four games he’s blocked 11 shots while dishing out 11 hits. It’s been years since he was truly effective in the fantasy game, but he’s playing much better of late and his .019 shooting percentage is bound to creep up towards his career level (.051).

Luke Schenn has blocked four shots his last two games. He’s taken five shots the last three games. In each of his last six games he’s produced at least four hits. He doesn’t have a point in that time.

GOALTENDER

Zane McIntyre is a must add if he’s still out there, I recently wrote about him and suggested adding him, but with the injury to Tuukka Rask he’s in line for some playing time (as of this writing we don’t know how much time Rask will miss). Zane has allowed six goals on 46 shots his last two outings, far from stellar work.

Anders Nilsson has allowed nine goals his last four games, over the Sabres last five games. In those four outings he’s gone 2-1-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .934 save percentage.

Semyon Varlamov is back from injury, and he allowed three goals in a loss to the Ducks. That effort improved his GAA to 3.32. He’s done nothing, virtually all season long. Still, playing time seems to be there, so if you’re desperate...

 

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).