Tuesday November 26th, 2013

Evening in Review -

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins

Let's start out by saying that the Penguins were lucky to get out of Boston with a point last night. I predicted it to be a low-scoring affair, with both Fleury and Rask between the pipes, but James Neal has returned off the IR with some serious swagger, netting 2 goals last night. He was brought here to snipe and to help out Malkin as a scoring winger, and he's done all that and then some, when healthy. You really can't say enough about Sidney Crosby. In a last-ditch effort, he somehow managed to tie the game with less than a second to play, sending the game to overtime. It will be quite interesting to see how many points he can really put up should he continue to be healthy. I would say 135 isn't out of the question. With Stamkos hurt, I'd say the Art Ross is his, barring injury. Unfortunately, Crosby's last second heroics were trumped by Bruins rookie defenseman sensation Torey Krug, who absolutely ripped a slap-shot behind Fleury 30 seconds into the extra frame.

New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Last night was the opposite of a game of Chess. Typically, the King trumps the Bishop. Last night in Tampa, Bishop took the King for a Shutout, as the Lightning struck the Rangers right out of the St. Pete Times Place 3-0. Nice to see the offense begin to show signs of life without Stammy. They should probably teach the Rags a few lessons because the Rangers have now scored 1 goal in their last 4 games combined. That will begin to change with Rick Nash back in the lineup, but I'm sure they would like to alleviate the scoring drought sooner than later to take some of the pressure off of Lundquivst. The Rangers began their season with an unprecedented 9-game road trip, which saw major struggles for the Blueshirts on both ends of the ice. Maybe there's a bit of a fatigue factor lingering, who knows. Just when I thought they were going to turn this around, the offense has gone kaput once again. I kind of wish John Tortorella was still their coach, because I'm sure we'd have gotten some classic Torts post-game interviews where he says absolutely nothing, and it makes perfect sense. 

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Blue Jackets just curb-stomped the Leafs in their own building 6-0. In the process, one of the leagues best goalies at home, Jonathan Bernier, got lit up like a Grizwold Family Christmas Light Decoration Extravaganza. A little bird told me to keep an eye on Ryan Johannsen. I should have listened. He tallied 2 goals and an assist on 5 SOG and ended up +1. 

Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers

You could say Christmas came early for the Hawks, because they were blessed with gifts of playing the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers on their 4-game west coast trip. The Hawks didn't waste any time getting on the scoresheet once again, as they took Devan Dubnyk for 5 goals last night in their 5-1 victory last night. Remember when I mentioned that guys from the Windy City would be worth short-term pickups? Andrew Shaw? Yeah, he finished the night with 2 goals and an assist, helping to sub in for Maid Marian Hossa, who is attending to family matters due to childbirth complications with his newborn son. Chicago looks primed to make another Cup run, with their explosive offense, solid defense, and above-average goaltending from Corey Crawford.

Fanduel Nightmare

Before I go any further, I would like to say that I thought I had one of the best possible lineups entering my Heads-Up Match vs. Rainman1580. I stacked the Hawks by taking Sharp, Saad, and Toews, had Bernier as my goalie, defense comprised of Michael Stone (7 Goals so far for Phoenix) and Ryan McDonagh of the Rangers, and using Kessel, Doan, and Giroux to fill out my rosters. Before the Hawks game started, I actually had -3.5 points. I was 11 points behind and never gained ground after that. 2 heavy favorites lost last night (Philly and Toronto), which cost me. I thought about taking Scrivens instead, which would have turned out much better. 

FanDuel Matchup - JohnnyJakes vs. Rainman1580 - 11/25/2013

Tonight's Picks

Edit Export johnnyjakes
LW	Patrick Sharp CHI @ CGY
LW	Max Pacioretty MON @ BUF
RW	Marian Hossa CHI @ CGY
RW	Brendan Gallagher MON @ BUF
C	Jonathan Toews CHI @ CGY
C	David Desharnais MON @ BUF
D	P.K. Subban MON @ BUF
D	Dan Boyle SJ v LA
G	Frederik Andersen ANH @ DAL

Pretty confident with that batch. This is presuming Andersen and Hossa play. If they do not, than I will likely switch them out accordingly. However, I like the top-line Chicago stack vs. Reto Berra and the Flames, as well as the Montreal Young-Guns Stack vs. the awful Sabres. I don't mind paying for Subban because he not only QB's the PP with Gallagher, Max Pack, and Desharnais, but he gets a ton of SOG and PIMs to boot. Boyle is Boyle. Could go cheaper but he usually hits for value when SJ scores 2 or more goals. Will sub Crawford for Andersen and probably Keith for Subban to stay within the cap. 

Tonight's Pickups / Sit or Start

This covers for both games tonight and tomorrow, with only Anaheim @ Dallas scheduled for tonight.

Saturday November 23, 2013

Rumblings and Grumbings

Just some quick thoughts on last nights games, and then we'll get right into the thick of today which has 12 games on tap, starting at 1pm.

Man, I hate the Islanders. Ever since that ratty game against them a few years back when the teams combined for over 200 PIM and the game more resembled Wrestlemania than a hockey game, I've had a vendetta against them. Ted Nolan is a douche. Always has been, always will be. I'll tell you though, I thought that Cal Clutterbuck was Trevor Gilles for a second with that crazy Movember Mustache. Lot of cheap shots on the Pens last night. I feel the game was poorly officiated as well, but from a fans standpoint, no better and no more gratifying way to win than a monumental goal from Sid the Kid. 250. Just a great finish to a solid game, which the Pens dominated early, but nearly let slip away. 4-3 Pens.

Zatkoff. I know, I picked him up for the spot-start, thinking he wouldn't replicate his old ways but he nearly did, and that was partially due to a poorly--played defensive game by the Penguins. Some of the guys looked out-of-sync, and that doesn't bode well for tonights game vs. the Canadiens. Zatkoff is making progress, but I feel that Vanek always plays the Penguins well, and that held true against last night when he netted 2 of the Isles 3 goals.

Kunitz was just an absolute monster last night. That trade will end up being the 2nd best move Shero will have made in his tenure as Penguins GM. The first is the Neal and Niskanen for Goligoski. Unfortunately a lot of people threw their hats a bit prematurely because Geno decided he was going swinging for helmets with his stick. I think it was a bad call, but the Zebras arm was up before Kunitz put his shot past Poulin, so what's fair is fair.

How about Geno finally getting one? Man, you've got to feel for the guy. He keeps playing his butt off but couldn't get his name into the goal column no matter what he did. I feel like this is just the beginning and he will be absolutely on fire as the guys head to Sochi for the Olympiad.

How bad is Tampa Bay's offense without Stamkos? Last night they got shut out by the Anaheim Ducks 1-0. I'm not sure what they can do to try to generate offense, but they better do it quick because they will quickly descend in the standings as long as they continue to be futile in the offensive zone.

Alex Ovechkin is quietly on a tear to score like 100 goals this year. He picked up goal numbers 18 and 19 last night in a 3-2 loss to the Canadiens. He single-handedly carried the Capitals into the playoffs last year with his 2nd-half roar, and that has surely continued into the first stages of this season. He and Nicklas Backstrom are absolutely lethal playing together up front and on the power play.


Last Night's Fanduel Result


Another Night, Another Victory for JohnnyJakes. Just keep tallying the dough

FanDuel Head-to-Head Matchup johnnyjakes vs. sixbowls 11/22/2013


Today's Games

CAROLINA @ BOSTON

MINNESOTA@WINNIPEG
WASHINGTON @TORONTO
PITTSBURGH@MONTRÉAL
OTTAWA@ DETROIT
NY ISLANDERS@PHILADELPHIA
DALLAS@ST. LOUIS
NY RANGERS@NASHVILLE
ANAHEIM@PHOENIX
CHICAGO@VANCOUVER
COLORADO@LOS ANGELES
NEW JERSEY@SAN JOSE


My Daily Picks

CENTER - 

Claude Giroux - Philadelphia Flyers

It appears as if the Flyers offense is finally coming to fruition, and Giroux is the reason. In a ridiculous
slump to start the season, he has finally began to break loose. The Islanders are coming off a hard-fought
game last night on the road in Pittsburgh, traveled last night, and must play a resurging Flyers team.
The Flyers will have Mason in goal, and its not clear who the Isles will go with, but this gives Philly a huge
advantage. Expect Giroux and the boys to have a big offensive day against the Islanders.

WINGERS - 

Corey Perry - Anaheim Ducks

It's hard to not always go with the Perry/Getzlaf combo, the 2 best offensive players on the statistically
best offensive team. Even though they only scored 1 goal last night, it was still one of those 2 guys that
managed. Pointless in his last 2 games, I expect Perry to have a big night against the Devils. He's got 12 
goals and 12 assists so far, combined with 20 PIM, a +11, and 93 SOG. Somehow, CP will find the stat
sheet tonight

Henrik Zetterberg - Detroit Red Wings

The other King in the East (now) has had a great start to his season, considering how awful Detroit
has started this year especially at home. The dynamic-Detroit-duo of Zetterberg and Datsyuk have combined
for 48 points in 23 games. With 5 assists in his last 3 games, Henrik is a point machine. With a shaky Craig
Anderson back in goal for Ottawa, expect a solid stat-sheet from Zetty today.

DEFENSE - 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Phoenix Coyotes

OEM is on my radar today for a few reasons. First, the Coyotes power play has been operating at a 32% 
conversion clip at home. Second, they Coyotes are averaging over 4 goals per game. They play Anaheim who
is playing the 2nd of a back-to-back, and finally, OEM has 16 points in 23 games so far this year, and is 
currently a +12, with 2 PPG. I'll take my chances with OEM tonight.

GOALIE

Cameron Talbot - New York Rangers

Wow, it's been a while since the Rags have had a decent backup goalie. So good, that he may give King
Henry a run next year for the starting job. Just kidding, but Talbot has been lights out as the NYR backup
posting gaudy numbers of 4-1 in 5 starts, only giving up 8 goals with a SO to boot. He gets the nod today vs. 
the Predators who are terrible at home, and abysmal in general. Nashville is starting Mrazek in goal, which
means this could be a low scoring affair. Don't expect any overs to hit here, but he offers a high upside
with a potential for a SO. He will absolutely hit value today with his cost being in the mid-5000's

FanDuel Daily Roster

LW	Dustin Penner ANH @ PHO
LW	Henrik Zetterberg DET v OTT
RW	Corey Perry ANH @ PHO
RW	Johan Franzen DET v OTT
C	Ryan Getzlaf ANH @ PHO
C	Gustav Nyquist DET v OTT
D	Oliver Ekman-Larsson PHO v ANH
D	Duncan Keith CHI @ VAN
G	Cameron Talbot NYR @ NSH

-Johnny

Friday November 22, 2013

Rumblings and Grumblings

An interesting night in the world of Fantasy Hockey, which had quite a few games on the slate. Chicago dismantled Winnipeg with three 3rd period goals and won 6-3, the Sharks swam by the Stamkos-less Lightning 5-1, and in the battle of the cellar-dwellers, Edmonton took down the Panthers 4-1.

Largely of note should be the season debut of Gustav Nyquist (C/W)  for the Detroit Red Wings. Flanking a wing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen spelled success as the 2nd-year player had his first-career 2-goal game in a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Good chance he'll show up in the Bargain Bin for next week.

Jeff Skinner (C/W) of the Carolina Hurricanes was activated off IR and should help to jumpstart the poor Carolina offense.

Peter Holland (C/W) of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored his 2nd goal of the season and first as a Leaf in the Leafs 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators last night. Recently acquired form the Anaheim Ducks as a band-aid for the injuries of Nazem Kadri, Dave Bolland, and Tyler Bozak, Holland was immediately placed on the first line with James Van Reimsdyk and Phil Kessel.

Brett Burns (W/D) of the San Jose Sharks returned to action, was immediately placed on the top line with Thomas Hertl and Joe Thornton and consequently netted his first goal of the year in the Sharks 5-1 dismantling of the goal-deprived Lightning.


Weekend Warriors

As the week comes to an end, you may be behind in some categories and have to play catchup. Here are some guys to consider who have back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday who could be available.

Mike Zibanejad (C/W) - Ottawa Seators

Zibanejad and the Sens have back to back games against Detroit and Carolina this weekend, and Zibanejad has been getting top-line power play time with Spezza and Turris. Detroit has had trouble at home this year.

Gustav Nyquist (C/W) - Detroit Red Wings

Who knows if last night was an anomaly, but playing with guys like Franzen and Zetterberg should make it easier for him to get on the scoresheet consistently. I think he continues right where he left off on Thursday and has a big weekend.


Tonight's Games and Lineup Selections

New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers @ Calgary Flames
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vancouver Canucks
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Anaheim Ducks

Penguins Stack vs. Islanders

If affordable, I will stack Crosby, Kunitz, Bennett, and Zatkoff (Yes, Zatkoff). The Islanders are terrible, injured, and have trouble scoring goals. They also give up a ton of goals. The Pens should have an easy time with the Isles tonight, and I see at least 4 goals from our side. Zatkoff will likely get the start in the 1st of the back to back, with a more difficult and healthy Canadiens squad on tap for Fleury tomorrow night. I cannot confirm that Zatkoff will play, but if he is confirmed after the morning skate, than he's worth rostering as he will easily meet value tonight. By not taking Malkin and Crosby allows for you to take Getzlaf at the other Center position vs. TB who are playing their 2nd game in 2 nights tonight.

Max Pacioretty - Canadiens

Mad Max is back and healthy and playing on the Young Guns line with David Deharnais and Brenden Gallagher. Pacioretty had 10 SOG and a natural hat trick last game. I'd say he's back for good. The Habs have back to back games tonight and tomorrow vs. the Caps and Pens. I bet he finds the net at some point.


Looking to next week...

The Chicago Blackhawks have a 4-game week next week which includes the powerhouses of Edmonton and Calgary. Hossa is back and it should be a high-scoring week for the Windy City squad. Play all Hawks with confidence. This also puts guys like Brandon Pirri and Andrew Shaw on the Waiver Watch.

FanDuel

Part of why I started this blog is because I began playing in Daily Fantasy Hockey Leagues on FanDuel, a site that allows you to play in games for real money, and be paid instantly via PayPal. Pick a lineup of guys each night based on Salary Cap, accumulate points, and win. I've done quite well so far, its fun, and it makes following the other games fun as well. I will refer anyone who wants to give it a whirl. Minimum games start at 1.00.

My Lineup for Tonight

LW Chris Kunitz $8,000 NYI@PIT 

LW R.J. Umberger $3,700 CLS@VAN 

RW Beau Bennett $3,100 NYI@PIT 

RW Corey Perry $8,800 TB@ANH 

C Sidney Crosby $10,900 NYI@PIT 

C Ryan Getzlaf $8,700 TB@ANH 

D Hampus Lindholm $3,100 TB@ANH 

D Kris Russell $3,400 FLA@CGY

G Jeff Zatkoff $5,300 NYI@PIT 

55,000,000 Cap, 0 Remaining

Johnny