All-star observations

Since being named to the 2024 NHL All-star "event" in Toronto, how are some of the guys doing?  Alexandar Georgiev, 0-2, 4 goals surrendered in each start, save percentage of .875.  Not that his save percentage was stellar before his selection – under .900 for the season, Georgiev leads the league in wins based upon the team in front of him. Cam Talbot has been worse – five starts, no wins, 4.20 GAA, 0.874 save%. And his team hasn't bailed those statistics out. Offensively, it's Washington's Tom Wilson, who's had one point in six games since his selection January 4, a minus-2, only seven shots, heck – even under two hits per game! Wilson has just two goals, no assists, and a minus-7 in 14 games over the past month.

As for the fans' voting, which I've never supported, they got it wrong again. Instead of adding four Canucks and three Maple Leafs by ballot-stuffing fan bases, how is it that Mikko Rantanen, with 58 points and NHL-third 27 power play points, gets omitted? At least Artemi Panarin, who rightfully should have been the Rangers' original choice over Igor Shesterkin, gets his deserved selection. How do you readers feel? Feedback is welcomed either on the Dobber site or the Forum. 

Marc-Andre Fleury won his 552-nd victory, passing his childhood idol Patrick Roy for second place in the history of the league. It brought me to look at the stats of one of his past teammates in Kris Letang. Among NHL defensemen ALL-TIME, Letang ranks in the top 30 for points scored, hits, and blocked shots. He'll almost certainly retire after adding top-30 power-play points to this resume. These aren't just important fantasy numbers, they're the values that define defensive players. Other D-men (active or retired) who are in this club of combined stats? None.

Saturday's matchups

Twelve games, eight of them starting at or after 7 pm Eastern time and some clear favorites tonight. The afternoon contests I'll generally skip – but the Avs and Jets on the road would be a decent early parlay (+206).

Dallas Stars @ New Jersey Devils – No I do NOT see the Stars laying another rotten egg after their whipping at the hands of the Flyers Thursday.  Won't happen. Even with Miro Heiskanen out of the lineup, Dallas' defense has been solid, and Matt Duchene ($5500), Tyler Seguin ($4600), and Mason Marchment ($4400) have shined as a second line. But the Stars win games based on contributions from Jason Robertson ($6400). Since USA Thanksgiving, Robertson has been on the scoresheet in every one of the Stars' 14 victories, and he's averaged four shots in those last nine wins. If I was to stack a defenseman, I'd consider Ryan Suter ($2600) over Thomas Harley ($4500). The Devils desperately need the points too, but I'm not playing them to duplicate Philly's suffocating style. Vitek Vanecek played Friday night, besting Columbus 4-1, so Nico Daws will need a magic goal stick to survive the expected barrage of shots.  

Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins – Boston is the better team, they're at home, they have the better netminder, Linus Ullmark ($8400), and the battle usually goes to the strong, right?  So what could possibly go wrong?  Plenty. But here I am wagering that form holds, and Charlie Coyle ($5200), who's recently been moved to the top line between Brad Marchand ($6500) and David Pastrnak ($9700) will deliver fantasy points. Coyle has 13 points in the B's last 12 games, and 21 shots in the last six. My other Charlie is Charlie McAvoy ($6000), with 11 points in those same 12 contests, and 18 shots in the last six.

In the past two weeks, I've looked to be in the top tier, drooling over my possible winnings, until the late game results filter in, and I watch reality descend as the winning amount shrinks. So I'll go with Calgary (10 pm Eastern) to snap the Oilers' 12-game streak, and Yegor Sharangovich ($5000) to play the hero.

My lineup

Centers – Coyle, Duchene

Wings – Marchand, Robertson, Marchment

Defense – McAvoy, Suter

Goalie – Ullmark (or Jeremy Swayman, same cost)

Utility skater – Sharangovich

Equal bet on the Avs/Jets parlay, simply to win.

Last week: A winning streak?  Okay, I might've had the lowest point total that got paid, whatever. Basically got my bet returned. My parlay wager of the Stars to cover -1.5 goals, and Johnny Gaudreau to put three shots on goal paid off at just over three to one, so I went home happy. And I'm betting house money this week.

As always, only wager what you can afford to lose and still smile, and good luck!