Weekend Warriors: Jan. 20th-22nd (RESULTS)

Posted by daledupuis on January 20

Gearing up for your weekend stretch to win your week in a head-to-Fantasy League? You came to the right spot. Sometimes, those 2 or 3 points you get off of the waiver wire during a weekend can make or break your head-to-head matchup … we’re hoping to help you do the former and avoid the latter. At the bottom we recommend a few back-up goalies who may get a start this weekend and might be worth adding if you need some help in the Fantasy Crease.

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The Combined scoring totals of the players we recommended this past weekend:

35 GP
8 points (5 G, 3 A)
-7 Rating
7 0f 18 recommended players registered at least a point (71%)

Overall Grade: F-
Let’s just forget this weekend ever happened. This was embarrassing, but accountability is key here at MindPuck.ca

Results in Green = player who produced at least a point
Results in Red = player who produced no points
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*Team records and Special Teams rankings accurate as of Thursday January 19th, 2012

Here are the teams that play twice this this weekend January 20th-22nd (Friday to Sunday, home games in Green, road games in Red):

Anaheim Ducks: Sat vs. OTT, Sun vs. COL
Boston Bruins: Sat vs. NYR, Sun @ PHI
Carolina Hurricanes: Fri vs. WSH, Sat @ NYI
Chicago Blackhawks: Fri vs. FLA, Sat @ NSH
Colorado Avalanche: Sat @ LA, Sun @ ANH
Dallas Stars: Fri vs. TB, Sat @ MIN
Florida Panthers: Fri @ CHI, Sat @ WPG
Montreal Canadiens: Fri @ PIT, Sat @ TOR
Philadelphia Flyers: Sat @ NJ, Sun vs. BOS
Pittsburgh Penguins: Fri vs. MTL, Sun vs. WSH
Tampa Bay Lightning: Fri @ DAL, Sat @ PHO
Washington Capitals: Fri @ CAR, Sun @ PIT

Written by MindPuck.ca’s Contributors

Dale Dupuis –> @MPdaledupuis
Steven Wild –> @MPWild

Scorers to Pick-Up

Going into your weekend, those 1 or 2 points off of the Waiver Wire can be the difference between winning and losing your head-to-head matchup. Here are the Waiver Wire pickups to keep an eye out for.

Anaheim Ducks (16-22-7)

Home (11-12-1), Away (5-10-6), Last 10 (6-3-1)

Sat vs. OTT, Sun vs. COL

Jason Blake: Former 40 goal man (yes he actually did it, with the Islanders no less), has 4 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games for the Ducks who are finally starting to play up to their potential. He gets 11-12 minutes a game, and is looking at the second unit powerplay. Blake is back in his “shoot from everywhere” form having 10 shots against the Canucks. Look for him to score this weekend or tire himself out trying.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -1 Rating

Andrew Cogliano: The speedy former Oiler has found a steady home an is on pace for a career year in So Cal. He has 3 assists in the last 2 games and is seeing about 15 minutes a game in ice time. Look for him to set up Blake this weekend.

Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -1 Rating

Boston Bruins (29-13-1)

Home (16-7-1), Away (13-6-0), Last 10 (6-4-0)

Sat vs NYR, Sun @ PHI

Rich Peverley: On a team where the average +/- rating is infinity, it is tough to snag the top scorers off of waivers … and then there is Rich Peverley, the afterthought. Has 4 points in his last 5 games, leads the team in PP time on ice in that stretch with 3:19 per night. He’s your best bet for a Bruin off of the waiver wire this weekend against two solid teams.

Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, +2

Carolina Hurricanes (16-24-8)

Home (11-11-3), Away (5-13-5), Last 10 (4-4-2)

Fri vs WSH, Sat @ NYI

Tuomo Ruutu: If your league takes Hits into account, he will not likely be available (26% owned in Yahoo! Leagues, likely all of those 26% count Hits). If not, he is second on the team in scoring, and although in a bit of a slump, he will be facing two teams that rank in the bottom half of the NHL in goals-against per game. Further, he is 3rd on the team in PP time over the last 5 games.

Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, EVEN Rating

Justin Faulk: Had a 3-game point streak going until it was halted by Washington and Pittsburgh this past week. That being said, Faulk has received over 25 minutes per night in the past two games, and is 4th on the team in PP time over the past 5 outings. He is making a case that he should be the Canes’ #1 D-man at the age of 19, and against two weaker defences this weekend he may add support to his case.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, EVEN Rating

Chicago Blackhawks (28-13-6)

Home (18-5-4), Away (10-8-2), Last 10 (5-3-2)

Fri vs FLA, Sat @ NSH

Dave Bolland: The man is on fire, I’m talking NHL Hitz circa 2002 fire. He has 6 goals and 3 helpers in the last 6 games. That is astounding for a man who is considered a hardnosed grinder. From his days toiling in the shadows of other superstars on the memorial cup winning London Knights he has had a nose for the net and with Sharp being on the shelf he has responded well to the increased offensive responsibilities. Look for him to send the Madhouse into a frenzy on Friday against the struggling Panthers, Saturday vs the Preds might be a tougher test.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -1 Rating

Nick Leddy: The unsung hero of the Chicago blueline has been quietly seeing over 20 minutes a game and has helped out with 3 assists in the last 3 games while racking up a +6 rating. He has also been patrolling the blue line on the top powerplay unit. Look for him to help the top team in the West to stay up there.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS, -2 Rating

Colorado Avalanche (25-21-2)

Home (14-11-0), Away (11-10-2), Last 10 (6-3-1)

Sat @ LA, Sun @ ANH

Ryan O’Reilly: He is already tied with his career high in points and looks to breakout further as the season goes on. With 6 points (3g/3a) in 5 games he has developed solid chemistry with Landeskog and Hejduk. Look for him to stay consistant this weekend.

Results: 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, EVEN Rating

Peter Mueller: We all know the Avs have been my team to gamble on this season and with Mueller finally making his return from a concussion he looks to have found his groove. 3 points in the game Wednesday night against Florida and looking strong alongside TJ Galiardi and Paul Stastny he should start becoming a regular contributor in the Avs offence. That or he gets hurt again and I look like quite the fool.

Results: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, EVEN Rating

Dallas Stars (24-19-2)

Home (13-8-2), Away (11-11-0), Last 10 (4-5-1)

Fri vs TB, Sat @ MIN

Michael Ryder: First off Dallas is hard to handicap this weekend because they have lost 4 of the last 5 and the only win was in a shootout. Suffice to say they are struggling – but this is no place for excuses. Ryder has been flipping between the centre and the wing while the Stars try to figure out some winning combinations which partially accounts for why he has been pointless in the last 3 games. With two struggling opponents this weekend the Starts should start finding the net again and look for Ryder’s name in the box score.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -3 Rating

Florida Panthers (21-14-10)

Home (11-5-6), Away (10-9-4), Last 10 (3-4-3)

Fri @ CHI, Sat vs WPG

Mikael Samuelsson: A straight shooter on and off the ice, he will tell you when he’s playing for money or a Cup. In Florida, he’s playing for the sunshine. Either way, he has ranked 2nd on the team over the past 5 games in PP time on ice, and should get it going against CHI (26th ranked PK or WPG (20th ranked in GA/G)
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, EVEN Rating

Montreal Canadiens (17-21-8)

Home (8-9-7), Away (9-12-1), Last 10 (4-5-1)

Fri @ PIT, Sat @ TOR

Max Pacioretty: Sticking with last weekends outburst I hope he keeps snapping necks and cashing cheques.(Feel free to take David Desharnais for the same reasons if he is unavailable).
Results: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, EVEN Rating

Rene Bourque: Montreal is in tough this weekend as they are facing two teams they are chasing to get back into the playoff hunt and while he has no points in his two games so far with the Canadiens he has had chances. The Habs are going to try to get Bourque out in all situations to see where he fits in and to show that the trade was worth it. Bourque will also be going hard to silence the critics in Montreal that he was not worth trading for. Look for him to get his first points as a Hab this weekend.
Results: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, EVEN Rating

Philadelphia Flyers (27-13-4)

Home (11-6-2), Away (16-7-2), Last 10 (6-4-0)

Sat @NJ, Sun vs BOS

Matt Read: It is a crime that he is only owned in 28% of Fantasy Leagues during a 29-point and +11 Rating season. I am starting to think it’s because of his Ilderton, Ontario heritage (which is justified grounds for discrimination). 6 points in his last 5 games, playing on lines with both Giroux and Briere at different times should help him continue his bid for a Calder nomination.
Results: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, EVEN Rating

Pittsburgh Penguins (24-17-4)

Home (12-7-2), Away (12-10-2), Last 10 (4-6-0)

Fri vs MTL, Sun vs WSH

Chris Kunitz:Pittsburgh is starting roll with 3 straight dubs, and the return of Kris Letang this weekend will instantly make all of the members of Pittsburgh’s PP unit (already ranked 9th without Letang) more likely to sunburn opposing goalies. MTL and WSH have anything but formidable defences, so look for Kunitz to make use of his 2:44 minutes of PP ice time he’s been getting over the past 5 contests. Oh, and he consistently plays on a line with Malkin and Neal.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, +2 Rating

Steve Sullivan: Also likely to benefit from Letang’s return to the PP. Sullivan has been 2nd on the team only to Malkin in PP time over the past 5 games.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -2 Rating

Tampa Bay Lightning (18-23-4)

Home (12-7-1), Away (6-16-3), Last 10 (3-6-1)
Fri @ DAL, Sat @ PHX

Ryan Malone: If this were NHL 2000 for PC, you would see a flame icon beside Malone’s name when you went to edit your lines – indicating a hot streak for those who watched that joke soar over their heads. He’s on pace to have his best season, is only owned in 11% of Fantasy leagues and has 9 points in his past 7 games. Coach Scarface (occasionally known as Guy Boucher) has taken note and granted Malone 19+ minutes per night in his past 3 games. Look for the trends to continue against the struggling Stars and Coyotes this weekend.
Results: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -1 Rating

Washington Capitals (25-18-2)

Home (17-6-1), Away (8-12-1), Last 10 (7-3-0)

Fri @ Car, Sun @ Pit

Marcus Johansson: Is the most recent the winner of the lottery, whereby the victor gets to center Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin (with Nicklas Backstrom on the shelf). Starting to find some serious scoring consistency too, with 8 points in his past 9 outings. Ranking 4th on the team in PP time over his last 5 contests, I really cannot be more sure of a waiver pick up as he’s only 8% owned.
Results: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, EVEN Rating

Backup Goaltenders likely to get a start this weekend)

Results: 4 of 6 started = 67%

Ray Emery: Confirmed starter tomorrow vs. FLA
Results: Won his start vs. FLA

Tuukka Rask: Expect Thomas to start in a Battle for the Beast of the East
Results: Lost in start vs. NYR

J.S. Giguere / Semyon Varlamov: Will likely split games. Look for Varlamov to go against LA, and Giguere to go against ANH
Results: Giguere received both starts

Scott Clemmensen: Likely to get the easier start @ WPG
Results: Won his start @ WPG

Sergei Bobrovsky: My money is on Bobby to get the nod against NJ on Sat
Results: Bobrovsky was off the case … no starts

Mathieu Garon: Could get both starts this weekend, as Roloson continues to look like a Timbits hockey call-up (21% owned)
Results: Won his start @ DAL