Fantasy Hockey Picks 12-1-14
If you’re playing NHL contests tonight, these are the fantasy hockey picks that you NEED in your lineups!
Hard to believe that December is already here. This is usually the point of the season where teams decide if they are contenders or not and start talking trades. There is a great chance that a few coaching changes will be made around the league but that doesn’t concern us in the daily game. Let’s do it.
Goalies:
Sergei Bobrovsky ($13,850) - I don’t think I have been able to roster a Blue Jacket player in nearly 3 weeks, but tonight is the night. They have just been pathetic to say the least but this salary and being on home ice this puts “Sergeant Bob” in play. The fact is no goalie that is starting should be this cheap.
Ben Scrivens ($12,500) - In a battle of the two worst teams in the Western Conference, I am going to give Scrivens and the Oilers the advantage. The only reason for this being the simple fact that they have the home ice advantage. Again there is a pricing issue here and you should take advantage.
Others: Carey Price
Centers:
Ryan Johansen ($13,000) - Johansen has been one of the few Blue Jackets who is actually competing night in and night out and showing that he can really be a franchise player in this league. Despite the awful play from his team the last couple weeks, Johansen continues to produce while being the focal point of the opposing teams defensive schemes every game. He comes into this game with 25 points in just 23 games which is an incredible scoring rate.
Derek Stepan ($10,850) - Stepan is coming into this game riding a 6 game point streak and is still under the radar night in and night out. There aren’t many weak teams to target tonight so going with the hot hand is something to really target on a shorter slate like tonight.
Others: Tomas Plekanec, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Left Wing:
Max Pacioretty ($12,800) - Came through in the 3rd period last game after I recommended him and looked like he was going to be a bust. I’m going back to the well again tonight as Colorado is one of the worst puck possession teams in the NHL. Max should have plenty of chances to score tonight. Colorado loves to make life difficult on their goalies and I expect more of that tonight.
Pacioretty had 7 shots on goal in the game when these two teams met earlier this season.
Taylor Hall ($8,150) - I can’t explain this price tonight and Hall will be on every one of my rosters. Not only is this price too good to pass on, but Hall has owned the Coyotes this season posting 3 goals and an assist in the 2 games against them this season. Mike Smith is allowing 3.24 goals per game this season and Hall is the most talented offensive player on either team in this game that should see plenty of goals.
Others: Alex Killorn, Patrick Maroon
Right Wing:
Ryan Callahan ($11,950) - Callahan appears to love playing against his former team as he has 4 goals and 1 assist in the 2 games against his former teammates. The Rangers and their fans were crushed when Callahan was traded last season as he was the heart and soul of the team and he has made them pay. Callahan is skating with Stamkos at both even strength and on the top power play units which puts him in a great spot to get plenty of assists and not have the defense focused on him.
Corey Perry ($11,650) - You can’t like that coach Bruce Bordeau has split his two best players on to different skating lines, but Perry will have Ryan Kesler centering his line who is no slouch himself. Perry should be priced with the rest of the studs around the 13-14k range so take advantage while you can. He comes into this game with 3 goals and an assist in his last 3 games while posting 13 shots on goal. He is really looking for his shot and at this price it’s hard to ask for more.
Others: P.A Parenteau, Martin St. Louis
Defense:
Victor Hedman ($11,150) - Has returned from injury and immediately stepped back into his role on the teams’ top power play unit. Hedman had 7 points in just 5 games before his injury to start this season, which is an incredible rate for anyone let alone a defenseman. While I don’t expect his production to continue at that rate, but he is still very much in play as anyone getting ice time with Steven Stamkos and the leagues 3rd ranked power play gets a huge boost.
Aaron Ekblad ($8,300) - Ekblad is showing why he was the first overall pick in the draft last season. He is now getting ice time with the teams top power play unit and the Blue Jackets come into this game ranked 26th in penalty kill percentage. This bodes well for the youngster and his price won’t break the bank. Even though I like Bobrovsky tonight it is tough to see FLA getting shut out as poor as the Jackets are playing right now, and most likely the goals will come from the power play.
Others: Sergei Gonchar, Keith Yandle