Busy schedule in the NHL yesterday with 11 games played. The Bruins took care of Carolina 4-2 as Boston right wing Jarome Iginla scored 2 goals. While he doesn't score like he used to, Iginla has been hot lately, and with 30 goals and 30 assists on the season he has had a good year. Young Bruin center Carl Soderberg had a big game with a goal and 2 assists. He has only 45 points on the season, but he has a lot of potential. Colorado beat San Jose 3-2 as Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov had a huge game with 47 saves. With a 37-14-5 record with a .926 save percentage, he is one of the premier fantasy goaltenders in the NHL. Tampa Bay won over the hapless Buffalo Sabres 4-3. Lightning center Steve Stamkos was all over the ice last night and he had 2 goals and an assist. He has 23 goals and 36 points on the season, but in only 29 games played as he was hurt. That's the only knock against him, injuries. When healthy he is one of the top forwards in the game.
The Red Wings topped the Maple Leafs, as young center Darren Helm got his first career hat trick. Helm was used on the top line, something to keep an eye on. He has only 16 points in 36 games played, but he might have some value if he stays on the first line. The Wings have a lot of injury issues. Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard finally won a game, only number 18 on the year. The Canadiens took it to Florida 4-1 as Montreal left wing, "Mad Max" Pacioretty had a big night with 2 goals and an assist. Pacioretty has 54 points in 67 games played, so don't expect this to happen a lot. Montreal left wing, Thomas Vanek had a goal and an assist, and with 64 points he is a solid fantasy forward. The Islanders beat New Jersey in a shootout 2-1. Not much to say about this game. Anders Nilsson got the win in goal for New York, but it is only his 5th of the year, and he has a .885 save percentage.
Young center Ryan Johansen got the power play game winning goal for Columbus, and we like this kid a lot. He has30 goals and 55 points on the season. Look for him next year. Defenseman James Wisniewski had an assist, and he is a very dependable fantasy player with 45 points on the season. Left wing Alexander Steen seems to be heating up again for the St Louis Blues as he had 2 goals last night. Steen started the year on fire, then he cooled down, but now he seems to be heating up again. He has 60 points on the year. Nice game for Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen as he got the win with 33 saves. Win number 29 on the year for him. Nice game, also, for Wild forward Zach Parise as he had 2 goals in a win over Phoenix. Parise is having an okay year with 49 points in 60 games played, but I always think of him as someone who should be a point per game player like he did in 2009 and 2010.
Anaheim goaltender Frederick Andersen had 31 saves in the Ducks win over Vancouver. While it is hard to believe that he would supplant Jonas Hiller, he does have lights out numbers; 17-5-0 with a 2.20 goals against and a .926 save percentage. Keep an eye on him, he could be a starter one day somewhere. Ducks' right wing Corey Perry had a goal and an assist and with 74 points on the season he is a premiere Fantasy forward. Center Anze Kopitar had 2 goals in the Kings win over the Jets. Kopitar has 24 goals and 62 points on the season, so he is having a good year. Decent forward pick. Marian Gaborik had 2 assists for LA, but he has only 22 points in 34 games this year, and he gets hurt a lot. Jonathan Quick had 24 save for his 26th win. His 2.06 goals against average is outstanding.
DAILY PRIME TODAY IGINLA, STAMKOS, HELM AND MORE primepucks.comSun 3/30/14 7:24 AM