The weekend arrives with a loaded schedule of top-flight action with major playoff implications. It’s time to fill out the fantasy lineup and settle in for a huge weekend. Let’s take a look at some power and value purchases for the weekend.
Left Wing
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals continues to be on a rampage as one of the few NHL players that can dominate offensively. The Great Eight has six goals and two assists in his last eight games to make for a season total of 45 goals and 25 assists on the season. The Capitals host the Dallas Stars on Friday and the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
The Calgary Flames simply will not fold or go away and Johnny Gaudreau is a big reason why. Johnny Hockey has three goals and three assists in his last six games with a plus-five to re-emerge as a Calder Trophy candidate as NHL Rookie of the Year. Gaudreau has 18 goals, 32 assists, and is a plus-six on the season.
Center
New York Islanders center John Tavares is emerging as a bona fide Hart Trophy candidate as NHL Most Valuable Player. Tavares has been on fire as of late with three goals and four assists in his last five games. Tavares has 33 goals and 39 assists on the season. The Islanders host the Ottawa Senators on Friday and the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Right Wing
Who else but Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues? The Blues host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and are at the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Tarasenko has two goals and four assists in his last five games with 33 goals and 33 assists on the season. Considering that Dallas does not play any defense, Tarasenko could have an extraordinary night on Sunday.
Defensemen
Roman Josi and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators should be your plays here. The Preds are at the offensively challenged Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and will be at the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Nashville has been slumping badly with six losses in their last seven games after spending much of the winter as the top team in the NHL. We are making something of a value call here. The tandem of Josi and Weber is among the most consistent in the game as the Preds boast the top blue line corps in the game.
Josi has slumped to one assist and a minus-three in his last five games but has 11 goals, 36 assists and a plus-15 on the season.
Weber was being mentioned as a Norris Trophy candidate as the top NHL defenseman but has also slumped lately with no points and a minus-six in his last five games. Weber has 15 goals and 28 assists on the season with a plus-14.
Weber and Josi have upside and should get back on track sooner rather than later. We say sooner and will make the buy.
New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh should also have a big weekend considering the weak opposition against Buffalo and Florida this weekend. McDonagh has an assist and a plus-three in his last five games with seven goals, 24 assists, and a plus-15 on the season. Those numbers should improve dramatically over the weekend.
Goalie
Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers has been outstanding in filling in for King Henrik Lundqvist and has the chance to pitch one, if not two, shutout this weekend as the Broadway Blueshirts face the low scoring Buffalo Sabres on the road on Saturday and the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Even if Talbot only gets one start he should dominate. Talbot has a .966 save percentage in his last five games.
Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild continues his torrid pace with a .940 save percentage in his last five games with a .928 save percentage on the season with six shutouts. Dubnyk has a record of 28-9-3. We will not try and second guess when he comes back down to earth and will ride the streak. Dubnyk and the Wild are in action Friday night at home against the Anaheim Ducks and will be at the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
