Power Plays

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By: J.P. Del Monte

Update! Writer

Our weekly digest of everything fantasy hockey. Facts don’t lie and Power Plays is full of ‘em. Projections for the week of April 28 to May 4. Stats through April 26:

 

 

 

Philadelphia Flyers, C
Comment: Briere helped lead his team out of a very tough Game 7 and has come out on top as the points leader with 11 over seven games through the first round. He’s doing everything, as well, scoring six huge goals to go along with his five helpers.

Dallas Stars, LW
Comment: When you look at the quality left wings that remain in the playoffs Morrow stands out, even above the Henrik Zetterberg’s and the Ryan Smyth’s. Not only does he bring you balanced points (three goals and three assists) but he keeps an even rating and has 16 PIMs (eight more than Sean Avery).

Montreal Canadiens, RW
Comment: He’s not the eggshell that many remember him as. Kovalev has brought his excellent regular season into the playoffs and has been Montreal’s best player in these playoffs. Make sure you have him on your team as he’ll keep bringing it past this round if that Habs get through.

Detroit Red Wings, D
Comment: Now that Mike Green (WAS) and Dion Phaneuf (CGY) are both out of the playoffs we can remind ourselves that there are still some top-tier defensemen remaining. Kronvall is going to continue to be an assist machine in these playoffs. He won’t factor into the power play as much but with this series likely to go a full seven games you can expect Kronvall to get every opportunity to rack up the points.

Montreal Canadiens, G
Comment: Montreal has been one of the best squads (if not the best) in these playoffs and the thanks can rest on this young rookie’s shoulders. Of the remaining goaltenders, only Martin Biron has made more saves (228) than Price (215). The difference in goals against, however, goes to Price, who has only allowed 18 to Biron’s 24.

 

 

 

Colorado Avalanche, C
Comment: Seven games resulted in a measly three points for Stastny. With Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic in the mix, Stastny will have a hard time getting back into the limelight. Hopefully he can manage it.

Detroit Red Wings, LW
Comment: Something’s wrong here. Normally Holmstrom is one of the Wings’ best playoff performers but with only a single goal and two helpers in seven games it makes you wonder. The Wings are going up against some tough competition and will need him to grind out some garbage goals and start racking up those points.

Detroit Red Wings, RW
Comment: On a team that is top line heavy you would really hope that Cleary would start stepping out of the shadows. He’s got the speed and flashes of brilliance but has only managed two measly points in seven games.

San Jose Sharks, D
Comment: This one comes as no surprise. Aside from ending R.J. Umberger’s playoffs a few years ago, Campbell has done very little in his post-season career. He’s managed only three points in seven games and is a minus-1. He’ll likely be very quiet in this series as well.

Philadelphia Flyers, G
Comment: Here’s a quick warning: at this point in the season, all the remaining goalies are GREAT. This is just the bottom of the bunch. He’s let in the most goals and doesn’t have as solid a defense as the rest.

 

 

 

New York Rangers, C
Comment: Doobie has found himself in these playoffs. He’s handling top line duties with Straka and Jagr and is making the most of this great opportunity. With Drury playing solid checking and nothing else and Gomez clicking very well with the second line unit of Avery and Shanahan we can expect Dubinsky to stick to this top line in this series. In five games, Dubinsky has potted three goals and three assists on the world’s best goaltender, Marty Brodeur. I don’t see Marc-Andre Fleury being more of a roadblock than Brodeur.

San Jose Sharks, LW
Comment: Clowe has found himself playing alongside Big Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau and if he keeps up his solid play (four goals, four assists in seven games) he’ll keep it coming.

Philadelphia Flyers, RW
Comment: Things are heating up on Lupul’s end. He’s on a three game point streak with two clutch goals and is looking to continue the fine play well into this second round. Expect Lupul to be the playoff presence Philly fans were counting on.

Dallas Stars, D
Comment: With Zubov’s return you might worry a little bit about Robidas but don’t worry too much. He’s been a vital cog in this post season Dallas machine with his goal and five assists. He might not see significant points from the power play but he’s going to bring it hard to San Jose’s Evgeni Nabokov.

New York Rangers, G
Comment: Do I think they will win this series? No. But I do think it will be a long series and, wins or losses, Lundqvist is going to be the best goaltender of the series. He’ll face more shots from the Penguin’s high powered offense and the games will always be close. In my eyes, only Evgeni Nabokov sits on top as the best goalie remaining.

 

 

 

San Jose Sharks, C
Comment: Yes, he seems to be heating up and he came up with some clutch goals but don’t count on him to be a solid producer. He’s a guy you want on your team when it is crunch time but he won’t be that consistent producer you’d expect to get you those pool points.

Colorado Avalanche, LW
Comment: Normally I don’t like to rest on this but Wolski’s numbers vs Detroit aren’t very flattering. He’s a minus-4 with nothing else in four games this season and will likely buckle under the pressure in this second round. He had a terrific first round but he’ll be pushed to play like this against Osgood and his amazing defense and will likely fall short.

Montreal Canadiens, RW
Comment: Here’s one good reason: He will be lucky if he sees one game in this second round. Unless someone goes down with an injury you can bet Ryder will continue to be the giant bust that he is.

New York Rangers, D
Comment: Rozsival’s brilliant start to the season came to a crashing halt around the midpoint where he basically fell off the map. He’s continued this into the playoff stretch and I don’t see any indication that he’ll bounce out of it.

Detroit Red Wings, G
Comment: The same rules as Ryder apply: Hasek will not see the ice. Chris Osgood has usurped the Dominator and the Wings will ride him for as long as they can.

 

 

 
248 248 post-season games for Chris Chelios puts him at the top above all others.

4 Consecutive years the defending Stanley Champions have either lost in the first round or not made the playoffs at all.

3 the Flyers have been eliminated three out of the four times they have faced the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.

1 Game of Risk played and won by Joe Thornton in these playoffs.