LEFT WING

Viktor Arvidsson has taken a whopping 12 shots on net the last two games and in 3-of-5 outings he’s taken at least four shots on goal. He’s also produced three points his last three outings with a +3 rating as his star continues to ascend.  

Scott Hartnell has posted 100 penalty minutes in 8-of-9 seasons but he has only two in 14 games this season. Over 15 years of data suggest that number will be headed northward soon. Hartnell has also scored at least 20-goals in 9-of-10 seasons of at least 60 games, and he’s scored three times in nine outings. His pace will increase. Hartnell has averaged 187 shots on net the last three years and is currently on pace for 88 shots, another number that is likely to go way up.

CENTER

Valterri Filppula has dished out three helpers his last two games pushing his point total up to 12 points in 17 games. Alas, he’s taken a mere 20 shots on goal all season, and with four PIMs and a +3 rating there’s just not much to get excited about as he’s coming off a terrible season of eight goals and 31 points.  

Sam Gagner is a 27 year old skater who has never lived up to expectations. Still, he’s been hot of late with three goals in two games and he’s posted four points in three outings. That’s six goals in 13 contests, nearly matching the eight he posted last year in 53 games. #ShortTermOnly

Vladislav Namestnikov scored 14 goals last season in 80 games and wasn’t drafted anywhere. His last three games have been productive though with a goal, two assists and a +3 rating. He’s also produced five points on the power-play this season even though he’s 7th amongst forwards in time on ice during the man advantage with the Lightning.

RIGHT WING

Connor Brown was born in Toronto and now skates for the Maple Leafs. How is that for symmetry? Brown has appeared in 17 outings this season leading to 17 hits, 16 blocked shots and 22 shots on goal. Brown has been a +7 skater his last four games and excited the hockey world with two goals and two assists in his last outing, an effort that has greatly improved his offensive numbers (he entered the game with three points in 16 outings). Caution is warranted here.

Jesper Fast is averaging 13:29 minutes of action per outing and he’s only taken 10 shots on net all season. A pass first winger, Fast has two goals and eight assists this season while producing a +9 rating. Fast has produced six points his last seven outings even though we’re talking just six shots in that time. No way he keeps up his .200 shooting percentage so he’s going to need to jack up his shot rate to maintain value.

DEFENSE

Ian Cole has a +3 rating his last two games. Cole the last 10 games has produced 11 penalty minutes, eight shots on net, 25 hits and 26 blocked shots. That’s a pretty darn solid all-around game if you are in a league that counts additional categories that reward the success of a blue liner.

Anthony DeAngelo has scored twice in five games. He’s also produced two helpers in that time. Look at his time on ice as well – never less than 19:02 in any of the outings as he’s clearly taking a regular shift night in and night out.

Aaron Ekblad was the first pick in the 2014 Draft, so everyone knows who he is. As a rookie he produced 12 goals and 39 points. In his second season it was 15 goals and 36 points. Through 15 games he had two goals and two points. He was sent to waiver-wires everywhere. Things are finally starting to turn for the impressive talent. Ekblad has scored in each of his last two games, and the last time out he was feisty with six penalty minutes and six hits. He’s back. If he’s on waivers, it’s a mistake.

GOALTENDER

Jonathan Bernier is still firmly behind John Gibson, but he continues to perform admirably when called upon by the Ducks. Bernier has appeared in three games this season of 60 minutes of action, and in those outings he’s allowed two, two and one goal. In seven outings overall he has a 2.06 GAA and .933 save percentage. When called on the performance has been stellar for Bernier.

Scott Darling isn’t going to overtake Corey Crawford, but he backstops a strong squad and has seen his production, of late, surpass that of the starter as Crawford has allowed nine goals his last three outings leading to just one victory. Darling has a .907 save percentage in just 201 minutes of action this season.

 

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).