Happy St. Patrick's weekend!  And for fantasy hockey players, we are down to the last week, or maybe the last two days of your league before playoffs begin for about half of us. We start looking at specific opponents, hoping we get two more points than the next guy, or maybe one more category. At least there was a quiet Friday night, so we could go out to dinner.  

There are 14 games on Saturday, eight of them beginning at or after 7:00 Eastern Time. In the early evening window, the Maple Leafs hosting the Hurricanes is probably the closest to a playoff intensity game and probably the one I'll watch, but not wager on. Although…. I have been reasonably good at picking the game to play the under, and this would be my choice here.

San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets

I watched the Sharks play Thursday night in Pittsburgh, and while they lost (and my Jaromir Jagr bobblehead didn't show up), it was impressive to see the effort. Young guys need to make the team for next year, even when the individual talent hasn't gelled into a winning side yet.  Fabian Zetterlund ($4400) scored and Mikael Granlund ($4800) had two assists, but it was Mario Ferraro ($4700), Calen Addison ($3000), Henry Thrun ($2700), and veteran Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3500) who combined for four points, 14 shots, six hits, and ten blocks. Tonight, I'll take a flyer on Filip Zadina ($3200, and +100) to put three shots on goal.  For Columbus, look for the center depth that San Jose lacks. Play Boone Jenner ($6400) or Cole Sillinger ($4000), who has had ten shots in his last four contests without being rewarded. Noo, no goalkeeper bets here – I'd play the over (+). 

Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues

Check the standings – these are the two squads who are desperate for a four-game winning streak, and only one can start it tonight. The host Blues have just prevailed in four games of their last ten (and 6 of 15), and have fallen behind their visitors from Minnesota. The Wild have won 12 of 18 since the All-Star break, and Marc-Andre Fleury ($7800) has a sparkling 8-1-1 record over that span, with a 2.15 GAA and 0.920 SV%.  Likely starter Filip Gustavsson's (also $7800) last start was a 38-save-out-of-40 overtime loss to the Avalanche, turning away six shots each from Nathan MacKinnon ($10,500) and Mikko Rantanen ($8300).  Not having Joel Eriksson Ek (out) hurts, but Ryan Hartman ($5400) may excel given the C-1 opportunity, and is more affordable than Kirill Kaprizov ($9200) on the top line. Matt Boldy ($7300) and Brock Faber ($5000), both on the top power-play unit, are also smart plays. I won't play Blues tonight, but I do mention Alexey Toropchenko ($2600), who's scored four times in seven games.

Dessert – Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers OR Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks

I often tend to watch one and wager the other. The late card Saturday features these two matchups plus the Nashville at Seattle game, which could either turn out to be one of those 8-6 barnburners or a 2-1 ho-hum sleeper.  I'll feature the Canucks, who let a 3-0 lead disappear against Colorado on Wednesday – but the Capitals won't be their equal. To stack JT Miller ($7400), Nils Hoglander ($3600), and Quinn Hughes ($6700) should bring in fantasy points. The 23-year-old Hoglander (is this really his fourth season?) hit the 20-goal mark last weekend, and is playing aside Elias Pettersson ($7300) on the top line. Miller (87 points) has been red-hot, with 17 points in his last 11 games, and Hughes' 29 power-play points is second among D-men in the NHL to Cale Makar ($8600), who has 32. I was surprised to find that Casey DeSmith ($8500) was the most expensive goalkeeper to choose among the evening games. Pass.

My lineup

Centers – Miller and Hartman

Wings – Boldy, Hoglander, Zadina

Defense – Hughes and Faber

Goalie – Gustavsson

Utility skater – Evgeny Kuznetsov ($3100), who has shown energy and skill with his new team, and should cost more in this format. The chemistry with Jake Guentzel will come. 

Side bet – Zadina to have 3+ SOG (+100)

Last week, my streak was broken but with only 15% to be in the money, I can't complain.  

Wear green.  Just like me, you all probably couldn't pick out Saint Patrick if he sat beside you.  But may the luck of the Irish…. yeah.