Fantasy Hockey News

Pekka Rinne undisputed leader as Nashville advances to first Stanley Cup

Tue, May 23rd 9:57am EDT
By Joshua Wattay

Pekka Rinne stopped 38-of-41 shots-faced during Monday's 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in game-six of the Western Conference Finals. The Nashville Predators clinched the best-of-seven-game series and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Fantasy Impact: To put things in proper perspective, at the end of three periods Anaheim had 41 shots-on-goal with three goals to show for it. Nashville, on the other hand, was credited with 18 shots-on-goal and six goals. Rinne has truly embodied his "Great Wall of Finland" moniker by improving and showing stout confidence in each round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Nashville net-minder has been with no other team in the NHL since he was drafted by the Predators with the 258th overall pick in 2004. For the 2016-17 playoffs: Rinne holds a 12-4 record, a 1.70 goals-against-average, and a .941 save-percentage. Of 474 total shots-against, Rinne has made 446 saves, allowing a minuscule 28 goals through 16 playoff games thus far.

John Gibson has another excellent night, not enough help from team

Wed, May 17th 6:00pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Gibson answered the doubters yet again in Game 3. Apart from a tough start in Game 2, he has been simply amazing and it's only thanks to the lack of some extra effort from his teammates that he hasn't stolen either one of Games 1 or 3.

Fantasy Impact: One can easily make the argument that Gibson has outplayed Pekka Rinne in the series not just overall, but each game separately as well. Look for Gibson to make the same kind of effort going forward.

Corey Perry scores on the powerplay in Game 3

Wed, May 17th 5:57pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Perry scored his first point in the series on his birthday, but ultimately it wasn't enough to come out victorious. He banked in a shot off of a slightly cheating Pekka Rinne on the powerplay.

Fantasy Impact: Perry has 3 goals and 10 points in 14 games, but will nedd to up his production for his team to advance to the Finals.

Sami Vatanen has PP assist in Game 3 Tuesday night

Wed, May 17th 5:54pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Vatanen initiated the play late in the second period that saw Corey Perry score for the Ducks to take the lead.

Fantasy Impact: Vatanen has 3 points in 9 games, but all three in his last four games.

Rickard Rakell adds assist in Game 3 vs Preds

Wed, May 17th 5:52pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Rakell dangled and deked with the puck, entered the zone and dished it sideways to Corey Perry, whos scored from a tough angle.

Fantasy Impact: Rakell has 12 points in 14 games.

Marc-Andre Fleury wins goalie duel with Craig Anderson, grabs Game 2 win

Tue, May 16th 9:54am EDT
By Adam Jona

Neither Fleury, nor Anderson was willing to give up a goal until late into the third period and none of them wanted to be the goat in a sudden death situation. That somewhat turned out to be Anderson as Kessel's quick second attempt beat him low before he could get set, with barely 7 minutes left to play in the game. Pittsburgh secured the shutout for Fleaury after.

Fantasy Impact: It's the second shutout in 3 games for Fleury who needed to be in top of his game amidst the Pens recent scoring woes. They also lost Bryan Rust and Justin Schultz to injuries, none of whom returned to the game.

Olli Maatta adds assist in close Game 2 win vs Sens

Tue, May 16th 9:47am EDT
By Adam Jona

Maatta gave the puck to Evgeni Malkin in his own zone and then watched history being made.

Fantasy Impact: Maatta recorded his 5th point in 14 games.

Kessel scores only game in Game 2 of the East finals

Tue, May 16th 9:45am EDT
By Adam Jona

With seven minutes remaining in the game Kessel received the puck in stride from center Evgeni Malkin, took his shot that was blocked by J-G Pageau but fell right back to him and his second attempt found the way next to the mammoth of a still re-setting Craig Anderson. Pittsburgh managed to protect it's narrow lead and the goal became the game-winner.

Fantasy Impact: Kessel is at a point-per-game rate with 14 points in as many games.

Evgeni Malkin adds to his lead in playoff scoring race

Tue, May 16th 9:40am EDT
By Adam Jona

Malkin slowly moved up the ice along the boards but in a scoreless tie late in the third period, his presence was enough to draw two defenders. Right upon carrying the puck over the blueline he sent it to a streaking Phil Kessel down the middle, who scored after collecting his own rebound from a block.

Fantasy Impact: Malkin leads the league in playoff scoring with 20 points.

Nick Ritchie scores another important game-winner for Ducks in Game 2

Mon, May 15th 5:38pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Ritchie the big boy came up huge again, as another of his hard shots went through the opposition goalie at the perfect time and ended up being the game-winning goal. He realeased the puck from along the right boards after some nifty passing on the rush by Montour and Getzlaf.

Fantasy Impact: Ritchie has 3 goals with no assists in 11 games, but 2 of those 3 were game-winners. He'll continue to push hard for his first line LW spot.

Shea Theodore back on the scoresheet Sunday night

Mon, May 15th 5:34pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Theodore got back onto the scoreboard after personally being shut out the last five games. His shot went through a humanity of people but ended up being saved and deflected, right onto the tape of teammate Ondrej Kase, who squeezed it in, just barely over the goal line to tie the game at 3.

Fantasy Impact: Theodore still has 8 point (2G+6A) in 13 games with a +1 rating and leads the Ducks defense in scoring.

Brandon Montour adds another helper for Ducks as Anaheim ties series

Mon, May 15th 5:30pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Montour initiated a quick rush up ice, his outlet pass was ever so gently tipped by Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Ritchie shot bullseye right after.

Fantasy Impact: Montour has 6 assists in 13 games (4 in his last 7) with no goals but a very good +11 rating.

Josh Manson chips in with assist in Game 2 Sunday night

Mon, May 15th 5:25pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Manson set up a Shea Theodore shot through traffic that ended up on Ondrej Kase's stick, who put it in through a scramble in the crease.

Fantasy Impact: Manson is yet to score, although he certainly has had some looks and chances, but his defensive presence, size and hits have been felt by everyone on the ice. He looks to add to his 3 assists against the Preds.

Cam Fowler with duo of helpers in Game 2 win

Mon, May 15th 5:16pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Fowler played a team and game high 25:37 and registered two assists, one for a keep in ahead of the Silvferberg goal and another for chipping the puck to Ryan Getzlaf prior to the empty-netter.

Fantasy Impact: Fowler has played fast and strong since coming back from injury in the second round and has a goal and 6 assists for 7 points in 9 playoff games.

Antoine Vermette scores insurance goal for Ducks, Anaheim wins Game 2

Mon, May 15th 10:04am EDT
By Adam Jona

Vermette lined up with fellow centermen Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler for a defensive zone faceoff with barely a minute to play. Loading up got the Ducks the faceoff win, Cam Fowler chipped the puck up along the boards, Getzlaf collected and dished it to mid-ice for Vermette to score.

Fantasy Impact: Vermette scored his first goal of the playoffs and only his second point.

Ondrej Kase shines in increased role, scores, sparks Ducks to Game 2 win

Mon, May 15th 10:01am EDT
By Adam Jona

Needing to tinker his lines again to spark his team's offense, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle promoted Kase to the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Nick Ritchie. His speed and skill came through right away as he gave fits for an adjusting Preds defense, drawing a penalty and eventually scoring a goal as well.

Fantasy Impact: It was the first career playoff goal for Kase, another talented player coming through the Anaheim pipeline.

Jakob Silvferberg scores vs Preds to tie league lead in postseason goals

Mon, May 15th 9:58am EDT
By Adam Jona

Silvferberg scored into the empty net from inches away at the long post after a great cross-ice pass from Rickard Rakell showing great vision. Silvferberg was uncovered and Rinne's sight was blocked by Ryan Kesler.

Fantasy Impact: The Swedish forward is tied for the league lead with Pens forward Jake Guentzel at 9 goals apiece.

Ryan Kesler revels in agitator role, adds assist in Game 2 win

Mon, May 15th 9:56am EDT
By Adam Jona

Kesler tried to get under the skin of Predators center Ryan Johansen all night, arguably succeeding. The two pushed and shoved each other right from before the opening puck drop. Johansen scored on a breakaway on a broken coverage by Andrew Cogliano and Hampus Lindholm, and added an assist for a James Neal empty net PP goal, before being shut down for the rest of the game. Kesler added an assist on the Ducks opening goal on a man advantage.

Fantasy Impact: Kesler has a goal and 7 assists, and will try to add more offense for his line and team going forward.

Ryan Getzlaf back on the scoreboard with trio of assists in Game 2

Mon, May 15th 9:28am EDT
By Adam Jona

After kept from scoring in three straight games for the first time this postseason, Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf got back into the thick of things with three assists, including a nifty tip-pass in stride for the game-winner. He also had ther primary helpers on the Ducks first PP goal on 22 tries and the empty-net goal to close out the game late.

Fantasy Impact: Getzlaf has been a pretty consistent scorer in the playoffs and he righted the ship after his mini-slump to get back into the postseason scoring race with 18 points, just 1 behind leading man Evgeni Malkin.

Chris Kunitz chips in with assist Saturday night

Sun, May 14th 4:41pm EDT
By Adam Jona

Kunitz picked up a loose puck in ther offensive zone, took a half-turn from the left boards and sent a puck on goal that was redirected by Evgeni Malkin right before Craig Anderson could make the save.

Fantasy Impact: Kunitz has 2 asists in 8 playoff games.