Alright everyone, it's round two. If you were eliminated last week, first off sorry but I'd keep grinding until there's no more games left to be played. Come June we're all going to miss fantasy hockey so play now while you can! Everyone who's still in this for a championship I stand with you, I think in writing this I've checked my matchups three or four times. We got a lot to cover, let's dive in!  

The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken (Rostered in 10% of ESPN leagues, 46% Fantrax, 10% Yahoo) – Top prospect Matty Beniers made his NHL debut with Seattle earlier this month and so far, his skill has been as advertised coming in from the University of Michigan. I think Beniers making his Kraken debut is the most exciting thing to happen to this club so far this season. Second would be Marshawn Lynch drifting around on the Zamboni at the Kraken practice rink on Monday. I don't see a reason why Beast Mode can't do this during first or second intermission at home games? I'm just here for the good ideas, Seattle.

Taking a look at the roster numbers on Beniers may look a little high over on Fantrax, but that's keeping in mind that most dynasty leagues typically play over there. Since his debut on April 9^th the numbers of fantasy owners that have added him to their rosters hasn't increased as much as I would have thought and that's good for us moving forward here towards the weekend. Beniers not only has gotten on the score sheet in each of his first four games played but Seattle will play twice more this week to help you fill out your roster and one of only two clubs that will play four times next week due to the postponement of the Seattle/Winnipeg game earlier this month. These games down the stretch are crucial, we need points anywhere we can get them to advance on and more games being played is one of the ways to get there.

Right now Beniers has been thrown right into the fire, centering Seattle's top line as well as top power play unit. I get it, it's Seattle so we're not talking about off the stat sheet scoring but nine shots in four games is encouraging. What has impressed me the most is his finishing ability towards the net, this was on display in Seattle's contests vs New Jersey and Ottawa.

Unless it's dynasty fantasy hockey, I typically stay away from rookies. The grind of an 82-game NHL season can be hard on first year players and since I've been playing fantasy hockey there's maybe only been two or three rookies that I can remember rostering for the long haul but for a quick stretch in the playoffs I'll look to roster anyone who can help me advance on. If you're worried about Seattle giving Beniers a healthy scratch so not to lose a season of eligibility I wouldn't worry too much, Seattle doesn't play enough for him to reach 11 games and even if they did I can't see the Kraken being too concerned on if he'll be part of the picture moving forward into next season.

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Matt Boldy, LW/RW, Minnesota Wild (Rostered in 22% of ESPN leagues, 63% Fantrax, 25% Yahoo) – Going with another rookie here for the Building Block in Boldy and there's plenty to like with his game. The roster numbers are again a little high over on Fantrax but that's a reflection of Dynasty leagues. I'm excited to watch Boldy come NHL playoffs and for the time being could get excited watching him put up numbers in fantasy.

Coming into Thursday night's slate of games, Minnesota's second line has five goals for in the past three games, second to only the Leafs top line with six goals. This line has been red hot and while I think Kevin Fiala will be the trigger man on this line, Boldy has gotten his fair share of shots both on this line even strength and on Minnesota's second power play unit.  

Boldy has 11 points in his last eight games, and along with those numbers and roster rates I think he makes a fantastic addition on a very good line throughout the rest of the fantasy season. Reason he's a building block is if you are a keeper league this may not be a bad player to keep moving forward depending on how many keepers, your league allows. One to three, your club odds are stacked enough to where a player like Boldy wouldn't make much sense to keep. Say five and above though and I think there's reason to at least consider it. For now, if Boldy is available this is a good young player on a line playing exceptionally well.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche (Rostered in 93% of ESPN leagues, 95% of Fantrax, 82% Yahoo) – Anyone else a puck nerd like me and remember the Hawks/Avs game earlier this season where Devon Toews tripped Jonathan Toews? Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man memes aside, the recent news on Toews's status moving forward is cause for concern for fantasy players.

Although we don't know the exact injury or even injuries, we do know that Toews has been dealing with on and off nagging injuries for the last month or so leading to the club making the decision for him not to travel on the team's current road stand. This means he is going to miss tonight's game vs Edmonton, Sunday's game vs Winnipeg, and at the earliest will return to face the Blues at home next Tuesday the 26^th.

For now he's listed as "Out" so stashing him on the IL if you have the room is a nice option, but this is a situation where I'd keep close tabs on any news early next week. Things like if he is skating during morning or optional skates, and if he is at least expected to suit up. There is still value to a defender on Colorado's top line and while I don't think the Avs are going to hurt for power play exposure with Cale Makar quarterbacking their blue line, but it does affect fantasy players who are rostering Toews. The Avs lead the league in goals on the man advantage and Toews has benefited from a fair amount of those.

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (Rostered in 90% of ESPN leagues, 96% of Fantrax, 79% Yahoo) – The goalie landscape in fantasy is extremely difficult to navigate, even in the event you have a netminder who is all but guaranteed to see the bulk of starts during the week. This season Jarry has been one of those players but with a recent injury, you'll need to pivot and pivot quickly to get fantasy starts in net. 

On Saturday it was reported that Jarry broke his foot during the previous game vs the Isles. This explained the week-to-week tag that he was given following leading that contest, which already was bad news for anyone with Jarry on their roster. It's hard to think that he'll be ready for any action remaining this regular season, let alone playoffs so to me this is a player that won't help you going forward in playoffs. I typically stay away from Jarry in fantasy drafts, but he did have a solid season: 9^th in save percentage (.919%), 8^th in wins (34), and 7^th in goals saved above average (20.36). He also the majority of starts in net. Going forward you can look to add Casey DeSmith but Pittsburgh does have a back-to-back remaining this week so it's doubtful you'll see DeSmith get each of those starts. 

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

This period runs from April 22^nd to April 29^th

San Jose – The Sharks might be a one-line team but they're a Love Em to close out. They grade out well and into next week will see Anaheim, Edmonton, and Seattle. Outside of Edmonton I don't think there's a matchup there to be worried about.

Boston – The B's have a tough week upcoming next week with both Florida and Toronto on the schedule, but with a higher rostered club seeing plenty of action they're a Love Em.

New Jersey – What can I say, the Devils grade out well to close out the season. They'll see Detroit twice, along with a meeting vs the Sens so there's a roadmap here to some very high event hockey…or just sloppy penalties and turnovers. Time will tell.

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

Montreal – This was a very tough year for this Habs club and unfortunately, they'll be on the Leave Em side of things to close out. Meetings vs the Rangers and Panthers with only two games played next week doesn't grade out so well. At least we'll get to see Price back in net. Any positive I can get here to close out the season is a celebration on its own.

Detroit – I don't think Detroit was ever a Love Em but I also think they were never a Leave Em either? Does that sound wrong to anyone else? The numbers from the top six in the first half of the season to the second half are a steep decline. They're a Leave Em with a light schedule and a road stand to close out the season. Jeff Blashill will likely be behind the bench for what feels like his 18^th season in a row so who knows what the ceiling could be for this club. Everything goes right and maybe we're looking at a club that's only 20 points out of the first Wild Card spot this time next season.

Buffalo – The Sabres only played twice this week and will play twice again next week putting them again as a Leave Em. There actually is some optimism with this club though moving forward and I was very encouraged with what I've seen from this Sabres club the past couple of months. There's a lot of young talent on this roster now and on their way up to the club, there could be some exciting hockey being played in Buffalo very soon.