Checking in on some of the hottest and coldest players around the league.
HOT
Mike Hoffman – LW – Senators – 5 goals, 11 points in last 7 games
The Senators have struggled to produce offense under Guy Boucher ranking 27th in goals per game and have similarly bumbled on the power play, ranking 28th in efficiency.
Hoffman finding his touch will help in both regards and he isn’t the only one finding his touch. Mark Stone has also started to score, with 10 points in his last 10 games. These two have 60-point potential and should be owned in most leagues. Next on the docket to emerge from his slumber: Derick Brassard.
Travis Zajac – C – Devils – 4 goals, 10 points in last 6 games
Mike Cammalleri returned a week ago to help provide the Devils with an offensive spark. Now Taylor Hall is back and the Devils are firing on all cylinders. How long will Zajac remain hot? Probably not too long but the Devils are one of the many teams with four games this week. If you need an injury filler, you could do worse.
Sam Reinhart – RW – Sabres – 2 goals, 5 points in last 4 games
Jack Eichel’s return has invigorated the Sabres’ offense, particularly Reinhart’s as he has shifted to the wing and now has someone special to play with. Somehow, Eichel’s return has helped the Sabres’ already lethal power play, which helps Reinhart as he is the net-front guy on their top unit.
Reinhart scored 15 points in the final 22 games to close last season. The hope was that he could replicate that pace over a full season now that the Sabres had reinforcements. That all went to hell when Eichel got hurt but hope springs eternal.
Leon Draisaitl – RW – Oilers – 7 goals, 13 points in last 11 games
The rule is simple: play with McDavid, produce like a star. Draisaitl is the latest of the Oilers’s boats to rise thanks to the tide that is McDavid. In three games, on McDavid’s wing Draisaitl has produced three goals, four points and 12 shots on goal.
The best part about Draisaitl, is that he is talented enough to continue producing once separated from McDavid. It would help Draisaitl further if the Oilers’ power play could produce more consistently but that may be asking too much.
Steve Mason – G – Flyers – 4 wins, 9 goals against in last 4 games
Mason was dropped by most fantasy owners after a horrific start to the season but this was short-sighted. Mason has been an above-average goaltender throughout his time in Philadelphia, frequently being tasked with carrying the team as they rebuilt their defense. It’s starting to come together and now
Mason is providing the goaltending necessary for the team to hang in the playoff race. He won all four of his contests last week allowing two goals or less in each of them. It’s time to get back on the bandwagon while you still can.
NOT
Jussi Jokinen – LW – Panthers – 0 points in last 7 games
When exactly are we going to see the returns on the coaching change in Florida? No matter what you thought about the firing of Gerard Gallant, you had to be hopeful that a new coach would spark their sputtering offense and light a fire under their miserable power play. So far, the team is 1/13 on the power play under Tom Rowe, and they have scored just three goals in three games.
All three of those games have been on the road, but if it’s home cooking you want, look elsewhere. The Panthers play five of their next seven on the road.
Kevin Hayes – C – Rangers – 0 points in last 4 games
We knew that Hayes and the Rangers would slow down eventually. They were scoring at a pace we’ve never seen a team sustain for a full season with modern goaltenders. As talented as Hayes is, you can only be so productive skating on the third line, with secondary power play minutes.
Don’t forget about Hayes because his production could spike in the event of an injury but it’s probably time to start looking at other options.
Lee Stempniak – RW – Hurricanes – 0 points in last 7 games
After opening the season with six points in the first five games, Stempniak went ice cold scoring just four points in the next 20 games. He has bounced around the Hurricane lineup settling on the third line, and second power play unit. This is a steep drop from the top line role he opened the season with.
We know that he can be productive in a larger role but it doesn’t look like they are going to give him one.
Justin Faulk – D – Hurricanes – 1 point in last 14 games
It has been tough sledding for Faulk owners but you have to accept this as part of the package when drafting defensemen. As I wrote last week, the opportunities have been there for Faulk, he just isn’t cashing in. It is a great time to buy low as Faulk is among the top offensive defensemen in the league.
Cory Schneider – G – Devils – 1 win, 22 goals against in last 6 games
Schneider has allowed three goals or more in each of his past six starts, winning just one of those. We knew going in that Schneider might struggle to collect wins but he was supposed to be a tentpole in net because of his ability to stop pucks at an elite rate.
That hasn’t happened.
Schneider has a below average save percentage of just 0.912. Since breaking in full time, Schneider has never held a save percentage below 0.921. This is probably just a blip on the radar.
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Steve Laidlaw is the Managing Editor of DobberHockey. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLaidlaw.
