WHO’S HOT?
Anze Kopitar: The 6 foot 3, 219 pound, Anze Kopitar is absoloutly sizzling with 10 points in his last 6 games, 6 goals and 4 assists. The Yugoslavia native is a goal scoring machine, notching 14 goals on the season, with a projected total of 39, which would crush his career best. The former 1st round pick is clearly not afraid to let one rip (no not in that sense!) as he currently has 33 shots in his last 12 games, totaling 105 on the season. Currently playing on the Kings’ top line, alongside the streaky Dustin Brown, expect Kopitar’s numbers to stay relatively high, but with the possibility of plunges here and there!
Ilya Kovalchuk: Starting the season ice cold, with only 10 points in the whole months of October and November, the former 1st overall pick in the 2001 draft is currently riding a 4 game point streak with 7 points in his last 6 games. Playing on the top line, with the red hot Patrick Elias, the two are producing despite the fact that the Devils are 2nd to last in the Eastern Conference. The Russian’s numbers are not even close to his potential (98 points in the 2005-2006 season) but the fact that he beginning to put the puck in the net is a good sign for the future!
Matt Duchene: Winners of 5 straight, the Avs are on fire. With Chris Stewart, Milan Hedjuk, and Peter Mueller sidelined with injuries, the squad turned to the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 draft. The consistent 19 year-old has 7 points in his last 3 games, 4 goals 3 assists, and is projected to have a breakout year with 86 points. As long as the Northwest division leaders, there is no doubt that the sophomore’s numbers will go nowhere but up!
Sergei Kostitsyn: Starting the season with only 3 points in his first 19 games, there was speculation that the Belarusian would be sent down to the minors. As of late, the hot Sergei Kostitsyn pulled his season out of the gutter and has notched 10 points in his last 8 games, and is currently riding an 8 game point streak. Being separated from his brother Andrei during the off-season, no one was really sure if the 23 year-old could produce, but now that the Preds are hot, so is Sergei. For now, the streaky former 7th rounder’s numbers are exceptional, but expect them cool down and heat up in comparison to the Predators success.
Anders Lindback: The winners of 5 straight, the Preds can thank their Swedish rookie goaltender, who has been nothing short of spectacular. In for the injured Pekka Rinne, the 22 year old is currently riding a 5 game winning streak with a goals against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .968, not to mention 2 shutouts. With 403 shots against in only 12, there is no doubt that the 207th overall pick in the 2008 draft has been tested, but the true mind-boggler comes now that Pekka Rinne has been activated off the IR. No matter the decision of Barry Trotz, it is obvious that the young net minder has a great career to come!
WHO’S COLD?
Johan Franzen: Playing for the talented Red Wings squad, Johan Franzen has seen his fair of the back of the net (34 goals in the 2008-2009 season) but as of late “the mule’s” numbers have been alarmingly low. Held pointless in his last 4 games, there is question whether the 31 year-old will ever break the 60 point mark. Nonetheless, the former 73 overall pick is projected for 59 points, which would match his career high, but once again 1 point short of the 60 point barrier. In deep leagues, Franzen would be a steal, but in leagues with only 10 teams, you might want to consider other options.
Rick Dipietro: Being the starting goaltender for the league’s worst team is never an easy task, but letting in 18 goals in his last 4 games is no way to gain the sympathy of the Isles’ fans. With a current 4.09 goals against average and a .870 save percentage, in his last 4 games, there is speculation whether the 6 foot 1 219 pound Dipietro, has any more gas left in his tank at only the age of 29. Being injury stricken for the past two years, Dipietro hasn’t won more than 30 games since the 2006-2007 season. Considering the Massachusetts native was the 1st overall pick in the 2000 draft, the expectations could not have been higher. The fact that the net minder has not hit the 40 win plateau in his career is a massive disappointment, and if he is not already in free agency, I strongly suggest you drop the under achieving Rick Dipietro.
Mike Green: Coming off an exceptional 76 point season, the expectations for the Alberta native were pretty high, and even Yahoo.com had him rated 12-overall going into the season. Well, to say the least, Yahoo has now dropped Green’s ranking to a horrific 118. There is no reason why the defense leader of the streaky Caps should be slumping this badly, other than the fact that he is having an “off” year. Notching only 1 point in his last 11 games and Green could not be colder. Nevertheless, there is still hope for the former 1st rounder, as he is posting a +7 rating on the season, not to mention, the fact that the Washington Capitals have gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Keep Green in your lineup, and expect his numbers to rise!
Patrick Marleau: Playing on a line with superstars like Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley, the former 44 goal scorer, is coming of his career year (83 points). Scoring only 3 points in his last 12, the Canadian is ice cold. Considering the shark has a -17 rating on the season is never a good sign, but the slumping Marleau does have 112 shots on the season which is quite promising. Expect Marleau to turn his numbers around, but you might have to be quite patient!
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