NHL Lineups and Motivated Plays: 04/08/2011
We’re down to the final few days of the hockey season. So, what impact does that have on your daily roster on Fanduel for the next few days? Think motivation. Every team and every player on those teams have different incentives at this point to push for that extra point…or not to bother. While we like to pretend that all NHL players are consummate professionals and play the same way regardless of the day of the week, these guys are human. Here are a few players to watch for that may have a little extra motivation over the final days of the season:
Offense
Daniel Sedin (VAN) and Corey Perry (ANA)
Seemed like Sedin was set to wrap up his first scoring title, then Perry came out of nowhere to go on a crazy point streak. Perry has 22 points during his recent 10 game point streak to bring him within reach of Sedin for the lead in the scoring race. He also has an astounding 19 goals in his last 14 games, putting him out in first for the Rocket Richard. Sedin has to be motivated by the prospect of matching his brother’s Hart Trophy from last season, along with beating out Perry for the scoring lead. These guys have been fantasy stars all season long and should finish strong this week.
Jarome Iginla (CGY)
While Iginla could probably not care less about his goal and point totals, one thing he does care about is getting the Flames into the playoffs. As long as those hopes remain, Iginla knows that the best chance of winning comes from his stick. He’s on a 6 game point streak, during which he’s slammed home 9 goals and 5 assists. Expect 2 points a game at this point.
Jonathan Toews (CHI)
Toews is in a similar situation to Iginla. He recently went 5 games without a point before scoring a clutch OT goal on Wednesday night. He has been getting serious Hart consideration, but will have to finish the season strong to be in that argument. Can’t recall the last time a forward won the Hart finishing 10th in scoring. Expect a big finish here.
Patrick Marleau (SJ)
There’s something magical about reaching that 40 goal plateau. Only five players have gotten there so far. Marleau is next in line with 37 goals each. Marleau has been there once before, having reached 44 last season. Should he get the next two, you can bet his teammates will be feeding him the puck as much as possible to get to 40.
30-Goal Prospectors
Here are some guys on the verge of a 30-goal season. You can bet if there’s an empty net late in the game, these guys will be patrolling at center ice for the set up:
- Mikhail Grabovski (TOR) – 29
- Teemu Selanne (ANA) – 29
- Dustin Brown (LA) – 28
- Johan Franzen (DET) – 28
- John Tavares (NYI) – 28
- Alexander Semin (WAS) – 28
- Chris Stewart (STL) – 28
Lubomir Visnovsky (D-ANA)
Visnovsky’s name hasn’t been at the forefront of Norris consideration all season. However, after the run he’s gone on in the past month, he’s got to be right there. With 21 points in 17 games, he’s skyrocketed to the lead in defensive scoring. A solid finish would put him in prime position to claim his first trophy.
P.K. Subban (D-MON)
Subban was an early favorite for Calder consideration, but was up and down all year. He’s surged recently and leads all rookie defensemen with 14 goals. He sits behind Fowler and Shattenkirk in points, but both are well within reach. Expect a strong finish from Subban.
Free-Agent Incentive
Finally, the ultimate motivator: money. Sure, their playoff success will be a much bigger factor, but every little bit helps as these guys lead the list of potential free agents this summer looking to cash in:
- Joe Thornton (SJ)
- Brad Richards (DAL)
- Alexander Semin (WAS) — note, double motivation…
- Ville Leino (PHI)
- Mike Knuble (WAS)
- Simon Gagne (TB)
My Roster
Here is my lineup for tonight’s action on Fanduel. Tough choices in net, as the best options come at a high price tag (Ward, Rinne, Fleury). Some more economical options were on the table, like: Bobrovsky, Enroth, and Emery.
| Position | Player | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalie | Jhonas Enroth | $4,500 | As a Canes fan, I hope I’m wrong picking Buffalo to win tonight, but it’s hard to argue with what Enroth is doing now. He’s won 3 of 4 with 1 shutout in there. |
| Center | Jeff Skinner | $6,000 | The motivated rookie can make a final case for the Calder Trophy with a strong performance tonight. |
| Center | Jordan Staal | $6,200 | Staal is the man in Pittsburgh right now. He has five points over the last 2 games. They face the weak Islanders defense tonight. |
| Left Wing | Simon Gagne | $6,500 | Gagne has had a rocky season, but is finishing strong with 16 points in his last 11 games. Final statements for his free agency case will be heard tonight. |
| Left Wing | Sergei Kostitsyn | $5,600 | Kostitsyn is riding a 10 game point streak and faces the weak defense in Columbus tonight. |
| Right Wing | Corey Perry | $8,900 | Perry is coming off the hat trick and is looking to close the gap on Sedin tonight. |
| Right Wing | Martin St. Louis | $7,700 | Another motivated forward. St. Louis has an outside shot at 100 points, and possibly a Hart Trophy nomination. |
| Defense | Cam Fowler | $4,600 | Fowler has come on strong in the past two weeks, with 6 points in his last 5 games. |
| Defense | Cody Franson | $5,000 | Franson has 3 points in his last 3 games and faces the Jackets tonight. |
______________________________________________________________________________________
About the Writer: ‘Chewy’ aka Gary Wilson, operates LandShark Hockey, and has been helping others dominate Fantasy Hockey Leagues for almost 20 years now. Landshark Hockey provides fantasy hockey fans with daily news, updates, and draft strategy including the LandShark Hockey War Room for Daily Fantasy Hockey Lineup Help.