Alex Ovechkin was essentially the most outstanding participant amongst non-injured gamers not within the lineup on Saturday. I have not mentioned load administration in any respect in my latest Ramblings as a result of I have not observed it come up considerably till now. At this level, a participant like Ovechkin resting provides gas to the argument that fantasy hockey leagues ought to wrap up earlier than the ultimate recreation of the season. In recent times, I’ve turn out to be extra in settlement with this principle. Of the 2 leagues the place I’m commissioner, one has already shut down for the season and the opposite will at the moment (Sunday) after a two-week last scoring interval.
Earlier than you begin searching for gamers to knock down the rankings subsequent season as a result of they’re potential load administration targets, bear in mind the next: How many individuals picked the Washington Capitals to win their convention? Okay, how in regards to the Winnipeg Jets? The preseason is way too early to know who may very well be resting for Video games 81 and 82. Similar to you possibly can’t plan for the accidents that may trigger sudden participant absences.
Already having wrapped up the convention and with Logan Thompson nursing an upper-body ailment, the Capitals began Hunter Shepard on Saturday. If you happen to have been searching for a possible stream with Shepard, that plan backfired as he allowed seven objectives on 26 photographs to Columbus. Sure, that is comfortably inside the necessities for a very dangerous begin, in line with Frozen Instruments.
The Blue Jackets have been led in factors by James van Riemsdyk, who completed with a aim and two assists. If you happen to assume that helped virtually nobody, then you definately’re proper. JVR is rostered in simply 1% of Yahoo leagues and 10% of Fantrax leagues. The 35-year-old van Riemsdyk is on a one-year contract with the Jackets, so it is unclear whether or not he has an NHL future past the Jackets’ remaining video games.
Adam Fantilli scored a pair of objectives, reaching 50 factors in his second NHL season. It goes with out saying that the 20-year-old Fantilli is a serious a part of the Blue Jackets’ future. Fantilli can be two objectives shy of reaching 30 objectives.
Jet Greaves earned the 22-save shutout for the Blue Jackets. Greaves has been sizzling with three wins and 4 high quality begins over his final 4 video games. With first rate numbers in each the NHL (8 GP, 2.37 GAA, .921 SV%) and the AHL (40 GP, 2.62 GAA, .920 SV%), Greaves is making some noise to earn a full-time NHL position subsequent season. Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov are presently blocking the best way, although.
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When excited about Flyers thriving with John Tortorella gone, the primary identify that involves thoughts might be Matvei Michkov. However what about Tyson Foerster? With two objectives on Saturday, Foerster now has eight objectives in his final six video games. In his earlier recreation on Wednesday, Foerster picked up his first profession hat trick. Over these six video games, Foerster has additionally been on the highest energy play and averaging over 19 minutes per recreation, over two minutes greater than his season common. Foerster has additionally quietly scored 20 objectives in back-to-back seasons. Having simply turned 23 years previous in January, Foerster may very well be a sleeper to recollect for subsequent season.
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Within the Hurricanes’ 7-3 win over the Rangers, Seth Jarvis led the best way with a aim and two assists. Jarvis now has 5 factors over his final two video games. His present whole of 32 objectives and 34 assists is almost an identical to final season’s whole, besides in 9 fewer video games. With three extra video games left, Jarvis could have an opportunity to surpass final season’s totals so long as the Canes do not relaxation him earlier than their first-round matchup with New Jersey.
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Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere led the Kings with a aim and two assists every of their 5-4 win over Colorado. For extra on Laferriere, see this week’s The Journey.
Byfield gave the impression to be due for a robust second half after an underwhelming first half (20 PTS in 41 GP), and he has delivered on that (33 PTS in 38 GP). Byfield has been round for a number of years, so it is simple to overlook that he’s solely 22 years previous and wishes extra time to succeed in his upside as a much bigger participant (6-5, 225 lbs). A safer position on the highest energy play would assist, however he logs sufficient minutes in essential conditions to be fantasy related to a point.
Andrei Kuzmenko registered two assists, giving him 12 factors over his final seven video games. The valleys are low for Kuzmenko, as evidenced by his quite a few wholesome scratches and incapability to stay in a single location. Nonetheless, the peaks are excessive and may actually enhance a group’s offense, which is unquestionably the case for the Kings proper now. Kuzmenko appeared KHL-bound or tryout-bound at occasions this season, however maybe he has earned one thing extra substantial with this latest run. At the least he has pumped some vitality into the Kings. A signing group – even the Kings – could be sensible to maintain it short-term, although.
Kevin Fiala scored a pair of objectives for Los Angeles, giving him a number of objectives in back-to-back video games and 6 objectives over his previous 5 video games.
Within the loss to LA, Brock Nelson led Colorado with two objectives. Since being traded to the Avalanche, Nelson has 13 factors in 18 video games. Having extra spread-out scoring depth with gamers like Nelson, Martin Necas, Charlie Coyle, and probably Gabriel Landeskog may gain advantage the Avs in the course of the playoffs.
Landeskog, by the best way, performed in his second AHL recreation on Saturday. Taking part in his second recreation in as many nights, Landeskog scored a aim and added an help for the Colorado Eagles. As I discussed yesterday, it is a nice story, however train warning as a result of Landeskog hasn’t performed in practically three years. Registering two factors in his second recreation again is a good signal, although.
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Add Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart to the record of gamers resting on Saturday. With Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk additionally injured, the Panthers have introduced in Jesse Puljujarvi, who scored this aim:
In his three video games with Florida after being recalled from the AHL, Puljujarvi has racked up 23 hits, together with 9 on Saturday. As well as, he has taken 11 photographs, together with 4 on Saturday. At age 26 following stints with a number of organizations, perhaps Pool Celebration can discover one thing in Florida. This improvement is perhaps one thing to observe within the playoffs, though entering into the lineup each recreation is not assured. The hard-hitting fashion suits the Panthers’ playoff fashion over the previous few seasons, so he may be capable of squeak into the underside 6 as soon as everybody returns.
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To observe up on the Oilers’ harm state of affairs on Friday, Mattias Ekholm is predicted to be out of the lineup for fairly a while. Based on Ryan Rishaug of TSN, Ekholm may very well be out for the rest of the season as a worst-case state of affairs, though additional assessments have to be finished. Ekholm is a crucial defender, so this shall be a serious problem for the Oilers as they enter the playoffs.
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Nikolaj Ehlers collided with an official, needing help off the ice earlier than leaving Saturday’s recreation. After the sport, coach Scott Arniel did not appear overly involved in regards to the harm, saying he re-aggravated the harm that he simply returned from. Do not be shocked if Ehlers, who’s with no level in his final 4 video games, is out of the lineup for the Jets’ two remaining regular-season video games earlier than the playoffs.
Within the Jets’ 5-4 shootout win over Chicago, Josh Morrissey scored a pair of objectives, giving him 5 factors over his final three video games. Morrissey has additionally averaged 4 photographs per recreation over these three video games. He has additionally reached 60 factors for the third consecutive season.
Throughout an interview with Darren Pang on Saturday, Alec Martinez said that Saturday could be his final NHL recreation. Martinez joins fellow Blackhawk Patrick Maroon in retiring after Saturday’s recreation. Each Martinez and Maroon go away successful three Stanley Cups with a number of groups. Congratulations to each veterans on super careers.
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In a recreation the place Montreal might clinch the ultimate playoff spot within the Jap Convention, Mitch Marner scored the sport’s solely aim in extra time. Anthony Stolarz earned a 15-save shutout, whereas Jakub Dobes was a lot busier on the different finish in stopping 34 of 35 photographs.
Fascinating stat. You’d assume this might have occurred by now, though groups did not play extra time in regular-season video games till 1983. The Leafs have been within the Campbell Convention with the western groups at the moment and for some time longer (keep in mind that?), so that they did not face the Habs that always throughout that point.
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Logan Cooley scored a aim and added two assists in Utah’s 5-3 win over Dallas. Cooley now has six factors over his final three video games. In his sophomore season, Cooley is second in scoring for the Hockey Membership with 62 factors in 73 video games. Spectacular for a participant who remains to be solely 20 years previous, so he has a brilliant future forward.
The Stars at the moment are confirmed to face Colorado within the first spherical. That is stacked for a first-round sequence. Can we convey again 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, and many others.?
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The Canucks have shut down Elias Pettersson for what’s left of the season. Is Pettersson a possible purchase low for subsequent season? Dobber thinks so.
Based on Elliotte Friedman, 2024 first-round decide Zeev Buium might signal with Minnesota shortly and play within the Wild’s last regular-season recreation on Tuesday towards Anaheim.
In an virtually must-win for the Wild, some enormous icetime totals in a recreation that went to extra time:
Brock Faber 33:28 (second-highest icetime recreation whole of the season)
Jonas Brodin 32:09
Matt Boldy 27:15
Kirill Kaprizov 26:09
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With an help on Saturday, Robert Thomas has prolonged his level streak to 11 video games. Over that streak, he has piled up 23 factors. Going again 10 video games, no participant is hotter than Thomas (2.09 PTS/GP). Because the 4 Nations, no participant has extra factors than Thomas (38 PTS in 25 GP). Most of these factors are assists (30), however Thomas can be carrying a 20.5 SH% over that span. He had an ADP of 114.5 on this season’s Yahoo drafts, however he must be drafted a lot greater than that subsequent season. Thomas is only one level shy of reaching a minimum of 80 factors for the second consecutive season.
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Replace on the Western Convention playoff image. Calgary remains to be in it, however they have an uphill battle.
The Golden Knights’ win over Nashville clinches them the Pacific Division championship. Meaning Edmonton and Los Angeles will face one another within the first spherical for the fourth consecutive season. Can the Kings lastly recover from the hump and knock off the Oilers?
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Congratulations to Western Michigan in successful its first NCAA Frozen 4 event!
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Comply with me on X @Ian_Gooding and Threads @goodsfantasyhockey and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social
