May 05, 2011

 

Steve Sullivan is out for the remainder of the second round with a knee injury. Sounds like Colin Wilson will draw in.

 

Nashville could use an offensive spark – their top line has combined for zero points through three games against the Canucks (Fisher, Hornqvist, and Kostitsyn). I figured Hornqvist would be more of a presence – he plays an agitating and aggresive style that seems tailormade for the postseason.

 

As a fan of hockey, I'm not liking the way the second round is shaping up with all of these short series.

 

The Fantasy Prospects Report is only 26 days from release!

 

My May 15 Points to Consider column will be posted on Friday afternoon. I have been working on this one for a while.

 

I predicted a sweep in the Tampa Bay/Washington series…. But unfortunately had the team wrong. Thoroughly impressed with the strong system and timely scoring the Lighting showed all series.

 

Like I said a few days ago, I love watching third lines dominate in the playoffs. Moore/Bergenheim/Downie had a series to remember. All over the ice in each of the four games. I like Downie the most from a fantasy perspective (obviously).

 

Bergenheim had 14 goals in the regular season and has seven for the Lightning in 11 playoff games. He also had seven shots on goal last night.

 

Vinny Lecavalier had seven points in the four game sweep. He looks to be getting his mojo back… I liked him as a sleeper for 2011-12 before the playoff outburst, and this only makes an improvement more logical/realistic (but his value is going up as well, so he'll be harder to acquire).

 

Tampa Bay has won seven straight games.

 

Zdeno Chara had a monster game – two goals, one assist, nearly 30 minutes of ice time, a plus-4, and five shots on goal. Too bad most playoff leagues don't count all statistics!

 

Boston is up 3-0 on Philadelphia…. About as done as it gets, right? Last year's collapse aside, I don't see the Flyers finding a way back in this one. They have absolutely zero confidence in their goaltending right now.

 

Sticking with goaltending confidence, it is amazing to see how different teams play when they have confidence in their goalie compared to when they don't. The most notable example to me – this past season in Toronto, before and after the emergence of James Reimer.

 

After a poor first round series, David Krejci has taken over in this one. He has four goals and six points through three games against the Flyers.

 

As Bob McKenzie said, "Alexander Semin was awful in these playoffs." I have two takes with regards to Semin's value – check my column out on Friday to find them out.

 

Jeff Carter – pointless in 16 minutes of ice time in his return to the lineup. Does he become available in the search for a goaltender? The Flyers can't go another summer with a band-aid situation in goal, can they?

 

I have more on the Flyers goaltending in my Friday column, including potential targets and potential players they may dabgle as trade bait.

 

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