NHL: The second line – Week 10

Now that we are into the idle of December we are noticing some trends. Teams are beginning to show that they are either elite, in the middle or towards the bottom of the standings. With that said, we will still see players involved with streaks and here are three players that aren’t the obvious fantasy studs but should be monitored right now:

Center
Ryan Kesler – Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver is 5-2 in their last seven games and scoring a lot of points. Kesler is helping out with five goals and four assists in that span with a plus- 6. Plus he is on a team call the Canucks. Can you ever have too many players from a team called the Canucks? The answer is no.

Left Wing
Chris Kunitz – Pittsburgh Penguins

Kunitz is on a line with Sidney Crosby which is pretty much the equivalent of being one of the other two guys on the court with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. He is going to get his points without the pressure of being a really good player. Prior to missing the past two games for the Pens, Kunitz scored one goal and seven assists in his last seven games and posted a plus- 10. When healthy, Kunitz is that guy who will be getting the points because of the line he is on so if he is available, scoop him up and thank Sid for the points.

Right Wing
Troy Brouwer – Chicago Blackhawks

Although the ‘Hawks are only 3-4 in their last seven, Brouwer has put together some nice games. The right wing has five goals and an assist in that span, which is not too bad for a shallow right wing category. The ‘Hawks can score goals and when they start to click again like they can, they will score a lot.


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NHL: The second line – Week 7

NHL: The second line – Week 7

It’s Second Line time! Here are three players that are available in most leagues.

Center

Matt Duchene – Colorado Avalanche

Colorado is 5-2 in their past seven games and Duchene has been a big part of the Aves’ solid play. In the seven games, Duchene has four goals, four assists and is a plus- four. Colorado is going to need more of this offense now that they are going to be without winger Chris Stewart for a few weeks after he broke his hand in a fight.

Right Wing

Teddy Purcell – Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are continuing their nice start going 4-2 in their last six games. Tampa is second in the Southeast Division just behind the Washington Capitals. Purcell has three goals and five assists in his past six games.

Left Wing

Andrei Kostitsyn – Montreal Canadiens

In the Canadiens last three games (2-1), Kostitsyn has two goals and two assists. Montreal is still in first place in the Northeast Division after going 7-3 in their last ten games.

For more Fantasy fun, visit my friends at Sports Lab Online Radio at http://blog.sportslabonlineradio.com/

NHL: The second line – Week 5

It’s Second Line time! Here are three players that are available in most leagues.

Center

Brooks Laich – Washington Capitals

In Laich’s last seven games, he has two goals and five assists. He’s on a high-powered offense that scores and scores a lot. So far, Laich is a plus- 10 on the year and will just increase with the Caps’ 15 goal differential as the season continues.

Right Wing

Justin Williams – Los Angeles Kings

In 19 games so far this season, Williams has 20 points is a plus- four. The Kings are looking really solid this year and Williams is one of the reasons. Pick him up if he is available.

Left Wing

James Neal – Dallas Stars

Neal is on a roll in the past seven games. He has tallied three goals, five assists, and a plus- four. He is continuing his point-per-game pace so with 19 points in 18 games.

For more Fantasy fun, visit my friends at Sports Lab Online Radio at http://blog.sportslabonlineradio.com/

NHL: The second line – Week 4

It’s Second Line time! Here are three players that are available in most leagues that are off to a hot start.

Center
Jeff Skinner – Carolina Hurricanes
Skinner could be really interesting to watch this season. Only 18-years-old, he is looking like he belongs in the NHL. In his last eight games, the ‘Canes C has five goals, six assists and 23 shots of goal. Continue to monitor this guy, especially if you are in a keeper league.


Right Wing
Teemu Selanne – Anaheim Ducks

The Flyin’ Fin never stops. After a horrible start to the season, the Ducks might finally be turning it around and you can credit Selanne with helping out quite a bit. In the Ducks past seven games (5-2), Teemu has three goals and six assists, and is also a plus- 4.


Left Wing
Raffi Torres – Vancouver Canucks

We all knew the studs on the Canucks would rake in points again this season, but Raffi Torres? Yep, and he has done so by being on great lines. Six goals, two assists and a plus- 5 in his past seven, if he is available, get him now.



For more Fantasy fun, visit my friends at Sports Lab Online Radio at http://blog.sportslabonlineradio.com/

NFL watchers - Week 9

Let’s take a look at a few players that will help you in week nine. We are going to focus on sleepers to definitely start in your league in case you are having second thoughts.

Patrick Crayton – WR – San Diego Chargers

Believe it or not, Crayton is a very nice option this week. Not so much because of the poor Texans defense he and his Chargers are going up against, but because he is likely the teams number one option at WR this week. With Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee both out with injuries, Crayton should see quite a few looks from Rivers.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – QB - Buffalo Bills

The Bills’ QB has thrown for over 600 yards and six TDs the past two games. Look for more of the same this weekend as the Bills take on a bad Chicago Bears’ defense. Could this be the week Buffalo finally gets their first win?

Jacob Tamme – TE – Indianapolis Colt

Tamme is Payton Manning’s new TE option after Dallas Clark went down for the season with a hand and wrist injury. Tamme stepped in last week against the Texans and caught six passes for 61 yards and one TD. Pick him up as the new Dallas Clark.

NFL top performers - Week 8

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.

Fantasy QB of the week

David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags are not good, but their QB keeps posted some solid numbers. Last week against the Cowboys, Garrard went 17-21 for only 260 yards, but tossed four TDs. After Jacksonville’s bye week in week nine, they will take on a Houston Texans pass defense is pretty bad. Look ahead and pick up Garrard.

Last week’s opponent: Dallas Cowboys - 2009 passing defense rank - 20

Next week’s opponent: Houston Texans (Week 10) - 2009 passing defense rank - 18

Fantasy RB of the week

BeJarvus Green-Ellis – New England Patriots

Remember those days where Brady would throw for four TDs? Well those are long gone and the Pats are now running the ball a lot more than they have in a few years. Green-Ellis ran all over the Vikings D last week 17 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns. You need to start him this weekend against one of the worst rushing defenses in Cleveland.

Last week’s opponent: Minnesota Vikings - 2009 rushing defense rank - 2

Next week’s opponent: Cleveland Browns - 2009 rushing defense rank - 28

Fantasy WR of the week

Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions

Is Megatron transforming the Lions into a decent team? Last week against the ‘Skins, Johnson caught nine passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns. That was against a bad defense so it will be very interesting to see what he and the Lions can do against the very stingy passing D of the Jets this weekend.

Last week’s opponent: Washington Redskins - 2009 passing defense rank - T8

Next week’s opponent: New York Jets 2009 passing defense rank - 1

NHL: The second line – Week 3

It’s Second Line time! Here are three players that are available in most leagues that are off to a hot start.

Center
Jarret Stoll – Los Angels Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are off to a very nice. At 8-3-0, the Kings are in first place in the Pacific Division with 16 points. One of the main reasons for this is the Kings’ depth. Jarret Stoll is contributing with four goals and six assists. Stoll won’t post insane numbers, but he is consistent and on a very good hockey team right now.

Right Wing
Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers

Although Philadelphia has only 11 points on the season, they find themselves on top of the Atlantic Division. The Flyers’ RW is averaging a point a game with six goals and five assists. Philly probably won’t hold on to the division’s lead, but that doesn’t matter in Fantasy. You are looking for the players that will score you points and so far, Giroux is proving to be that player.

Left Wing
Andrew Ladd – Atlanta Thrashers

Like Giroux, Andrew Ladd is averaging a point-per-game. The LW has four goals and eight points on the year making him the Thrashers’ leading scorer. He is a nice option as a fill in for an injured player or if you have daily lineups and your starting LWs are not playing that night.



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NFL top performers - Week 7

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.


Fantasy QB of the week
Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills

Since being given the Bills’ starting gig, Fitzpatrick has looked really good. He has faced some tough defenses and successfully moved the ball. Last week the Bills’ QB went 29-43 for 382 yards and four TDs. Will this trend continue? It could because the Bills actually have some talented wide receivers. Next week the Bills will face a Chiefs defense that does have some holes. Continue with the hot QB; he hasn’t given you a reason not to yet.

Last week’s opponent: Baltimore Ravens - 2009 passing defense rank - 8
Next week’s opponent: Kansas City Chiefs - 2009 passing defense rank - 22


Fantasy RB of the week
Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders

Are the Raaaaaiiiiiidarssssss back or are they simply just the inconsistent Raiders that we have seen for the past few years? Either way, Darren McFadden must have hit a frat party last weekend because on Sunday he was playing like he was back in school. DMF went 16 carries for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Oh, and he also caught two passes for 31 yards and another TD. Yes, this performance was against the Broncos poor D, but why take him out of your lineup? Michael Bush will take some carries away from him, but he is still very valuable in your lineup.

Last week’s opponent: Denver Broncos - 2009 rushing defense rank - 26
Next week’s opponent: Seattle Seahawks - 2009 rushing defense rank - 15


Fantasy WR of the week
Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans

If you had heard of Kenny Britt before October then congratulations, your son is playing very well right now (and thank you Ms. Britt for reading my blog). Britt posted monster numbers on a very good Steelers’ pass defense last week. He had seven receptions for a crazy 225 yards and three TDs. This was the fifth straight game that Britt caught a touchdown. If he is still available in your league, you have to pick him up and start him. Thanks again, Ms. B!

Last week’s opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers - 2009 passing defense rank - 16
Next week’s opponent: San Diego Chargers - 2009 passing defense rank - 11

The Blade: NHL news and notes

Now that we are a couple weeks into the 2010-11 season, we are starting to see some teams emerge as early contenders and others falling behind. When teams get off to poor starts, it becomes awfully difficult to make up points and rungs on the playoff ladder.


So who has the most points in the league so far? It has to be the Capitals, Penguins, Canucks…nope. The Nashville Predators are the only undefeated team in regulation left in the league. The Preds are 5-0-3 with 13 points so far. Interestingly enough, Nashville is only 2-0-3 at home, but 3-0-0 on the road. Steve Sullivan is leading the team in goals (4) and points (6). Pekka Rinne is again one of the top goalies in the league and has a very stingy 1.58 GAA.

The Tampa Bay Lightning top the Southeast Division with 11 points (5-2-1). This offseason Steve Yzerman left the Red Wings’ front office team to take over as the new Lightning GM. He has put players that he likes in place and the result is a great start to the new season. The Lightning are lead by young superstar Steven Stamkos, who leads the team with eight goals, six assists and 14 points. Mike Smith is manning the pipes and has a 4-0-1 record with a 3.11 GAA.

Who is a big surprise in the opposite end of the record spectrum? The New Jersey Devils might be spending too much time on GTL and not enough on hockey. The Devils are 2-6-1 with only five points so far this season. Things were so bad that Coach John MacLean benched Ilya Kovalchuck for one game for undisclosed reasons this week. Was it just a motivational tool to get the offense going? To add to the mess, even the most consistent goalie of a generation might be starting to show his age. Martin Brodeur can’t win games by himself anymore. Although his GAA is still pretty low at 2.78, it is his highest since his rookie season back in 1991-92. We have a situation here.