What a night in the Eastern conference to start the week off right in the fantasy hockey playoffs.  At this point every league should have started their playoffs.  For those lucky enough to move on to round two I hope you’ll be back next week for the finals.

Side note on league settings – if next year’s draft in a one year league is not impacted by the place you finish should eliminated teams be locked?  Let the best battle it out – right?  I’d lobby your commish for that league change this summer if it is not already in place.

Now is the time to not hold onto anyone that isn’t going to make your lineup; don’t make moves for next week, the time is now. 

To recap some of the craziness on Monday 3/12/19 – the top two will almost assuredly impact a number of playoff matchups:

• Freddy Andersen got yanked after 4 goals
• Petr Mrazek shutout the Colorado Avalanche with a 38-save shutout
• Artemi Panarin was held without a shot on goal against Philadelphia
• Recently dependable Tony DeAngelo was scratched by coach Quinn – more on this later
• The Maple Leafs were trounced by the Lightning
• Rookie sensation Andre Svechnikov potted two goals – one on a beautiful assist from Teurvo Teravainen

Returning to coach Quinn and the Rangers – this coach has been an absolute nightmare for fantasy owners.  It seems like every week someone is getting scratched for their play or attitude.  I suppose it is possible that Shattenkirk’s struggles were of his own making, that Buchnevich wasn’t listening to his coach, and the allegedly hot headed DeAngelo were all needing some time to ride the chair in the press box. Overall though it seems like these moves are one made by a coach trying to exert his power of this young roster.  It has to make you wonder if you aren’t drafting a Mika Zibanejad – are you really wanting to hold any medium tier Rangers in the fear that in the most important hour of fantasy hockey playoffs that he will decide to wield his power.

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The most important thing going on in the East for available players is what is going on in Philly. Since this article will be published on Tuesday it will give you plenty of time to organize your lineup for the three games in four days that Philly has upcoming this weekend.  Since they play four times next week – this will be a nice team to target in the hopes you advance, but don’t blow your team up just for a couple man games from sub tier players if it means your dumping someone like Mark Stone (2 games this week).

Oskar Lindbolm finds himself with Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux, making him an almost must add going into this weekend, especially since he is on the top unit right now.  Since Philly has been scoring goals lately, adding Nolan Patrick and Travis Sanheim is also required.  My gut says one of these three could be the add that propels teams to championships, the departure of Wayne Simmonds is paying dividends for these guys.

Ryan Pulock scored on Monday night along with for SOG; this is another player that has a favorable schedule this week starting on Thursday.  In real hockey it’s impossible to question the product that Trotz is fielding each night, but how they don’t put Pulock on the top unit is beyond me.  Anyways if you’re stuffing your lineup for man games you could do worse than Pulock.  Continuing with the Islanders, Nick Leddy has four points in his last four games as well.

Their schedule is not great with games on heavy slates but Thomas Vanek has been picking up some points recently with four points in his last four games.  His ice time is not up but perhaps this is a result of someone needing to steer the ship while Dylan Larkin is out for another week with a neck strain.

A player I am not as familiar with, Mackenzie Weegar has been putting up points alongside Keith Yandle at even strength.  This is primarily because he is usually out on the ice with Barkov, Dadonov, and Huberdeau.  If you’re desperate – this could be a nice gamble.

Well good luck the rest of the week – hopefully you’ll advance and be back here next week.

Good luck.