Jimmy Howard is sidelined due to a broken finger. Photo Credit: Anna Enriquez
(All statistics through Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012)
Fantasy owners of Detroit Red Wings G Jimmy Howard (finger) are breathing a small sigh of relief. Sure, he missed Wednesday’s game against Edmonton, his third straight game out of action, due to the broken finger he suffered last Thursday. However, he won’t require surgery, so he expects to return much sooner than the four-to-six week estimate which came out initially.
If you’re in daily Fantasy leagues, grab G Joey MacDonald, as he will get a bulk of the starts while Howard is on the mend. Sure, MacDonald hasn’t won either of his two starts, but it is through no fault of his own. He is 0-1-1 with a 1.73 Goals-Against Average (GAA) and a .933 save percentage. The Red Wings offense has given him little support since taking over for G Ty Conklin Saturday night at Edmonton.
There is good news out of Minnesota, as Wild C Mikko Koivu (shoulder) was able to make it through a full practice Wednesday. It is still uncertain whether he’ll be able to play in Thursday’s game against Vancouver, but it is good that he is nearing a return from Injured Reserve. He hasn’t played since mid-January. When healthy, he has been a Fantasy stud, posting nine goals and 33 points with a plus-9 rating in 41 games. He is a solid No. 2 or 3 center in most pools of 12 or more teams, especially those formats which discourage penalties. He has just 14 penalty minutes (PIM) this season. When Koivu returns, he is expected to center the team’s top scoring line with Ws Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
INJURIES
Dallas Stars LW Brendan Morrow (neck) is still dealing with neck pain, and he is not expected to accompany the team on their two-game road swing through Columbus and Buffalo. Fantasy owners will want to keep a close eye on Sunday’s game against Los Angeles. If Morrow is able to return without any ill-effects of the injury, he should then be activated. If he does not play, keep him reserved at least another week.
Buffalo Sabres were without leading goal-scorer LW Thomas Vanek (upper body), as he deals with a dreaded upper body injury. The good news is that he was able to skate on his own Tuesday, but general manager Darcy Regier indicated that Vanek is “a few days away” from returning. Daily leaguers will want to keep him reserved in all Fantasy formats until he can return and prove his health in one full game. Meanwhile, weekly owners will want to keep a close eye on Saturday’s home game against Tampa Bay. If Vanek remains sidelined for that one, he will be too risky to play in the upcoming scoring period.
SCANNING THE WAIVER WIRE
New Jersey Devils RW David Clarkson has endeared himself to Fantasy owners, and he has upped his ownership to near 50 percent thanks to a five-game points streak. He has five goals with three assists during the impressive run, which he’ll look to extend Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. If you need a replacement in daily leagues, especially for someone like Morrow or Vanek (listed above), take a chance on Clarkson.
Phoenix Coyotes C Martin Hanzal has picked up his play lately, posting three goals with five points and a plus-4 rating over his past four games dating back to Jan. 31. Overall, he has eight goals and 24 points with a plus-8 rating. Hanzal is a solid Fantasy option, especially in pools which reward hits. He has 140 hits through just 40 games.
Speaking of hits, if you’re in a rotisserie league and New York Islanders LW Matt Martin is available, you’ll want to grab him immediately. He has a goal and two assists over his past eight games, which is not that impressive, but he has managed 241 hits through just 52 games, while logging 78 penalty minutes and blocking 26 shots. If you need help in the hits and PIM categories, Martin should be a boon and will come on the cheap.
SLAP SHOTS
How about Edmonton Oilers C Sam Gagner? He posted four goals with four assists and a plus-6 rating in the Feb. 2 shootout against the Red Wings. What’s funny is that Gagner was owned in just 18 percent of all Fantasy leagues two weeks ago, and he is still available in 45 percent of Fantasy leagues today. What are you waiting for? … New Jersey Devils RW/C Dainius Zubrus has managed three goals, three assists and a plus-5 rating over his past four games. If he is available, the veteran is a good short-term option in leagues of 12 or more teams. … Phoenix Coyotes LW Ray Whitney shows no signs of slowing down, posting a goal with six assists and a plus-5 rating over his past four games. … What happened to Washington Capitals RW Mike Knuble? He is scoreless over his past five games with a minus-5 rating, and he has managed just three goals and 11 points through 53 games. It appears at 39 years of age, he has reached the end of the line. … St. Louis Blues RW David Backes is a different player at home and on the road. In St. Louis, he has 10 goals, 16 assists and a plus-20 rating in 29 home games, but he has managed just six goals, six assists and a minus-4 rating in 23 road contests. In the upcoming week, he’ll have two home games and two away games.
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