LEFT WING
Conor Sheary has scored in each of his last two games, three points in total, while taking nine shots on net. Moreover, his production is sure to stay above average if he is appearing on the power-play so often. Check it – he’s seen more than three minutes of power-play time in three of five outings for the Penguins.
CENTER
Viktor Arvidsson of the Preds produced just 16 points last season in 56 games, but he’s been on his game this season with 14 points in 22 games. His ice-time average is up to 15:32 per outing, and over his last 11 outings he’s scored three goals while handing out five assists. He’s also a +7 skater and is averaging 3.4 shots a game, an impressive total.
Mikael Granlund has seen over 20 minutes of ice-time the last two outings, and over 18 minutes in 7-straight. In three of four games, he’s been a +1 skater, and he’s posted four points in his last five games. Three of the points have come with the man advantage, all helpers, to push his point total to 14 in 22 games as he searches for his first season of 45-points. Could it finally “happen” for the 24 year old?
RIGHT WING
Anthony Mantha is 6’5”, 225 lbs. He’s a load. The 22 year old winger has five points in nine games this season, but he’s picked things up a bit the last five outings with two goals, an assist, and 18 shots on net as he’s increasingly more involved in the offense. Only once in five games has he been under 16 minutes of ice action.
David Perron started slowly this season, and after scoring a mere 36 points last season he was on no one’s radar. Well, you might need to reassess and adjust your lens as he’s starting to put up numbers that should make you take notice. Over his last nine games Perron has scored three times with eight assists leading to 11 points. He’s only a +2 skater despite that success, and he’s taken just 18 shots on net, but you can’t argue with the production, can you?
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom is chewing up nearly 22 minutes of ice-time per outing with just under three minutes of that time coming on the power-play. He’s also seeing 1:39 a game when the Oilers are short-handed. Basically, there isn’t a situation in which he isn’t being trusted to gobble up ice. He’s a (-4) skater the last two games though he was even through 23 games. I’d also point out that he has taken 47 shots on net his last 16 games, a pretty impressive mark for a blue liner.
Dimitry Orlov is a (-4) skater the last two games dropping his season mark down to +4. He also doesn’t have a point in three games. So why is he on this list? Good question. Is it because I had no one else to write about? No, there is something here with Dimitry. Over his last 11 games Orlov has five points, has taken 18 shots on net, has blocked 14 shots and dished out 19 hits. He’s not a star, isn’t very exciting, but he does contribute for those of you in keep leagues.
GOALTENDER
Jonathan Bernier has allowed two or fewer goals in 8-straight outings, and in seven outings (five starts) in November he went 4-0-1 with a 1.78 ERA and .934 save percentage for the Ducks. John Gibson (2.43 GAA, .915 save percentage) is still the starter, but Bernier is performing very well when called upon.
Juuse Saros is simply a backup with Pekka Rinne taking home the NHL’s First Star of the Month of November. Still, Saros has allowed two goals in two games, and the Preds continue to see their GAA drop (it’s down to 2.47). If Rinne got hurt...
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).