Power Rankings
1. Stammer Time – Last Week 1
Week 17 was a week without much movement as ST’s unimpressive 5-3 victory over COF was the only win on the week. ST retains its lead atop the power rankings however due to the deadline week moves GM Brad Matsuba has pulled so far. In two separate deals ST gained top 15 scorers Martin St. Louis and Pavel Datsyuk as well as perennial Norris Trophy candidate Shea Weber. The added firepower gained by these moves as well as the relative inactivity of their competitors at the deadline makes ST a firm favourite for the Hoover Bowl and should create some separation at the top of the league.
2. Mr. Momentum – Last Week 2
A 4-4 tie with OR results in another tight battle against the two evenly matched teams. An off week offensively, MM’s struggling duo of Cam Ward and Ryan Miller turned in exceptional weeks to help MM grab the goalie categories. A deadline seller last year MM is in an unfamiliar spot near the top of the league standings. Taking a more conservative approach to the deadline than ST, MM still acquired some serviceable players in Alex Semin and Kimmo Timonen that will help address some team weaknesses.
3. Optimus Reim – Last Week 3
OR’s tie with MM was the 5th time in the last 6 meetings between the two teams where neither team was able to get more than 5 category wins. The close nature of this rivalry is also mirrored in the standings where OR is a mere point behind MM. Needless to say not much separates the two teams and a solid week against league leading ST could vault this scrappy team up the rankings. Despite not gaining on either ST or MM this week OR’s rank in the top 3 has been solidified despite doubts from some at the beginning of the year. Unlike the other teams this year OR’s deadline focus was on the goalies where they brought in Craig Anderson and James Reimer to help shore up their goaltending struggles.
4. Girouxsome Twosome – Last Week 4
The frustrations for this team reached a season high this past week with a tie to the previously 0-5-0 GIWI. Emphasizing GT’s trouble with consistency 8 different players on his team had zero points this past week. With Malkin coming off the IR this week GT hopes the return of his offensive star will right the ship on this surprisingly uninspired team. GT was also the only team not to make any deals during deadline week thus far and GM Mark Goodman is seemingly counting on the dream team he built in the summer to get its act together.
5. Chance of Fleury’s – Last Week 5
With GIWI’s “non-loss” perhaps the glass has been shattered because the realization is just now sinking in that this team may not be much better. The seeming positives such as close-ish losses and league leading assist totals can no longer mask the fact that this team just cannot compete with the big 4. COF now needs a good showing against the only team it has beaten to remain out of the basement. The fire sale has also begun for COF as St Louis, Weber, and Anderson have all been dealt away so far.
6. Getting Iggy With It – Last Week 6
With a tie against GT, GIWI had its best result of the season last week and looks to build off of that “success” against COF. With a solid win they could actually pull themselves out of the basement for the first time this season. GIWI’s much maligned goalies actually came through this week resulting in their first category wins in both GAA and SV%. GIWI still remains the only team with bagels in a category however as they have yet to win or tie in the GWG category. The season long dismantling of this team continued this week with Datsyuk and Semin the most recent to be shipped away.
Sidney Crosby Fantasy Stars
1. Cam Ward (MM) – 3W, 1.72GAA, .943SV%, 0SO; Cam Ward’s sensational week helped MM overcome a poor offensive week and at least get a tie
2. Corey Crawford (ST) – 2W, 0.71GAA, .974SV%, 0SO; Corey Crawford’s outstanding beginning to the season continued last week with some insane stats
3. Antti Niemi (GT) – 2W, 1.26GAA, .950SV%, 0SO; Another solid week by Niemi is keeping the Sharks afloat despite the surprising drying up of their offence
4. Max Pacioretty (GT) – 4G, 3A, 2PPP, 0GWG, 22Shots; In a quiet week for most offensively Patches lead the charge with 7 points and a boatload of shots
5. Brian Campbell (OR) – 2G, 4A, 4PPP, 0GWG, 7Shots; The top defenceman this week Campbell continues to produce even on a struggling Panthers team
Drew Doughty Fantasy Duds
1. Patrick Elias (COF) – 2 shots; The first of two devils on this list, This weeks struggles is a major reason why the Devils are winless in 6
2. Matt Duchene (MM) – 2 Shots; Like Elias has had a good start to the year but had a rough week
3. Henrik Zetterberg (GT) – 5 Shots; The third consecutive dud that actually has solid stats as a whole this year
4. Vincent Lecavalier (OR) – 6 Shots; It’s been years since he was the main guy in Tampa but he’s starting to get buried in that offence
5. David Clarkson (ST) – 8 Shots; Started surprisingly strong but may be starting to finally cool off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G6CZT7h4k
– Records broken this week: GWG – 8 COF, Shots – 217 GT, W – 9 ST
– Trade Deadline is March 7
Fantasy Hockey 365 