GAMES PLAYED (Feb27-March5)

4 GAMES: Coyotes, Penguins, Lightning, Canucks, Devils, Canadiens, Sabres, Hurricanes, Kings, Avalanche, Jackets, Wild,

3 GAMES: Jets, Sharks, Blues, Leafs, Predators, Bruins, Panthers, Capitals, Islanders, Dallas Stars, Wings, Flames, Rangers, Flyers, Senators, Blackhawks

2 GAMES: Oilers, Ducks

LEFT WING

Josh Leivo has eight points in 10 games this season for the Leafs, though only point has come on the power-play. All the points have come in his last six games though, one score and seven helpers off the wing for the Leafs. In three of those six games he’s taken at least four shots on net as he’s averaged 3.2 shots on goal.

Antoine Roussel had a hat-trick last week to grab folk’s attention. The rugged winger has taken 11 shots on net his last three games. The hit pace is down, but the point production is slightly elevated as he has 25 points putting him on pace to reach 30 for the first time.

CENTER

Nick Schmaltz has a rather unfortunate name, but his game looks good at the moment. Thursday night he had a goal and an assist giving him two goals and three helpers in two games. He’s also been an amazing +6 skater in that time. Over his last seven outings he’s recorded a point six times leading to a total of three goals and six helpers.  

RIGHT WING

Jordan Eberle has a career best of 34 goals and has lit the lamp at least 24 times each of the last three years. He’s highly likely to miss that mark this season as he has but 12 markers in 61 games. Part of the reason for that is a 7.9 shooting percentage that is drastically below his 13.3 percent mark. Eberle has only one goal his last four games but he’s also dealt out three helpers in that time. He’s taken for or more shots in two of four games, so firing the pick on net should lead to more success as that shooting percentage starts to normalize.

Ales Hemsky has been out with that hip issue of his, and it sounds like a return to the ice is very close. No longer the point producer he once was, there’s always a chance that the vet of more than 800 NHL games offers the Stars an offensive boost. Keep the expectations in check though, especially since he’s basically been a half a point type of scorer since joining the Stars (71 points in 152 games).

Radim Vrbata is a long-time, point producing vet. He’s not sexy. He doesn’t stand out. Still, he’s on a heck of a roll. Vrbata has scored the last two games and he has a point in 7-straight outings. Only once in those seven games has he had less than three shots on net.

DEFENSE

Alex Goligoski... a name I’ve mentioned previously in this column... has put up four points in four games (all helpers). He’s taken three shots on net in 2-of-3 games, and he’s blocked two shots in 3-of-4 and he’s a +3 skater in that time as well.

The most obvious add of the week? There are like 23 injured blue liners in Pittsburgh so Ron Hainsey was brought in to solve that problem. An accomplished player without any outstanding skills, he was routinely taking up 20+ minutes per game in Carolina and will be thrust into a role of significance in 2017. The (-16) plus/minus should quickly turn around, and he’s a short-handed ace. Seems like he could see some man-advantage time as well.

Erik Johnson has been out since December 3rd with a broken leg meaning he could easily be on your leagues waiver-wire (especially after his return to the ice has taken longer than expected after the original estimate of 6-8 weeks). However, he’s been able to skate this week at practice and the plan is for him to return to action Saturday. The 28 year old posted 11 points (1g, 10a) in 23 games this season while taking 47 shots on net.

He’s wasn’t exactly an offensive dynamo through three seasons, but Oscar Klefbom is has been on quite the roll of late with three goals and three assists his last five games. He’s also been a +7 skater on a team that has struggled in that category this season (only three Oilers are better than +6 this season). He’s been very active with 16 shots the last five outings, and in three of those outings he’s soaked up 25 or more minutes on the ice.

GOALTENDER

The Penguins seem unlikely to deal Marc-Andre Fleury.

John Gibson has a lower body injury, and though it’s not serious, one could argue that adding Jonathan Bernier ain’t he worst idea in the world. Bernier has appeared in 23 contests going 9-5-2 with a 2.93 GAA and .900 save percentage.

The Kings’ Jeff Zatkoff cleared waivers, but he will stay with the club for now. With Jonathan Quick closing in on a return his outlook is extremely muddled at the moment.

 

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).