On a night of thrilling comebacks and "stand on your head" goalie efforts, lets first take a look at the only significant fantasy injury from Sunday's full slate of action. Washington defenseman Mike Green left the contest with an upper-body injury and did not return. We all expected this to happen sooner or later as the talented blueliner usually can't stay healthy long enough to finish amongst the most productive fantasy "D" options. However, there are no details regarding the severity of his injury, so Green owners can be hopeful that he will back soon. He has been on a decent roll to start the season, collecting 12 points in his first 19 games.
Another reaction to throw out there- most Cory Schneider owners rather have New Jersey rest him periodically in order to prevent a second half "burnout". Well, the team tried just that in Calgary last night as Scott Clemmenson received the start after Schneider started in the Devil's first twenty games. The results were catastrophic as he gave up three third-period goals including two in the last three minutes. Perhaps Schneider will start in the next fifty games.. kidding.
Now for our top five fantasy performers from a busy Saturday:
1. Marian Hossa- The Chicago winger has showed clear signs of offensive decline over recent seasons, but he surely "turned the clock" back with his four-point performance in the 7-1 win over Edmonton. With seven points in his last three games, the Slovakian sniper has raised his scoring totals to 15 on the season and should be able to produce at his normal .75 PPG clip the rest of the way.
2. Jamie Benn- Tyler Seguin's sidekick in Dallas enjoyed a brilliant night with two goals and an assist, as his Stars have won two straight at home with the latest 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The prolific winger has been somewhat inconsistent along with the entire Star's offense, but now finds himself amidst a three-game point streak while totalling three goals and six assists during that span. Very few forwards can rack the points as quickly as Benn and seguin, so don't let the few dry spells get you down.
3. Jhonas Enroth- The most impressive effort in the crease came from a goalie with very little fantasy appeal at this time, as Buffalo's enroth has clearly been struggling all season. However, with michal Neuvirth out with an injury, the embattled Swede showed plenty of guts in delivering a 43-save effort in the face of a constant offensive barrage during Buffalo's 2-1 road win in Washington. He has picked up two straight wins, but his overall numbers are downright ugly; 3-8-1, 3.40 GAA, and .908 SP. He has shown at the very least that he will compete for more playing time when Neuvirth returns, but the Buffalo goalie situation is arguably the NHL's worst at this point.
4. Jaroslav Halak- After an improbable second straight win for the Islanders over Pittsburgh, Halak is officially "on fire" with six straight wins and giving up a stingy goals during that period. Their new addition has been a difference-maker for the upstarts on Long Island and should continue to make plenty of waves in all fantasy formats. Keep in mind that despite all the superlatives that have been thrown his way in recent years, he has never thrust past the 30-win mark with 29 in 13-14 representing a career-high. This should be the year he comfortably makes it..
5. Tyler Bozak- The Leafs have bounced back after the 9-2 trouncing to Nashville with their second straight win; a 4-1 blowout of the Red Wings. Bozak was the offensive catylist, scoring two goals on the night and subsequently, raising his totals to 19 points in 21 games. The more astute fantasy minds should have saw this coming, as Toronto's top center was well on his way to his first 70+ point season last year if not from injuries that derailed his prolific offensive putput early on.
MORE TO COME SOON...
DAILY PRIME- NOVEMBER 23, 2014: SUNDAY FANTASY BITS primepucks.comSun 11/23/14 6:30 AM