January 17th

Who’s Hot?

Eric Staal: playing for the streaky ‘Canes, Captain Eric Staal has been nothing short of spectacular in the month of January, notching a point in every contest. Currently riding an 8 game point streak, the Thunder Bay Native is on pace for a career year with 86 points. Clearly, elevating his shots on goal (165 on the season) was key for the former 2^nd overall pick as he continues to put the puck in the back of the net. Don’t let Staal’s -6 rating alarm you as he averages around 22 minutes a game, in addition to the fact that Carolina has let up 135 goals on the season. Don’t expect center’s numbers to plunge especially while his squad is pushing for a playoff spot.

Danny Briere: Playing on one of the most talented squads like Philly, it’s very easy to get caught up in the Carters and the Prongers, but one right winger has shown that he too belongs in that category. With 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in his last 10 games, the Gatineau native is sizzling while on pace for a career high 45 goals on the season. Playing on a line with Jeff Carter (38 points) and Claude Giroux (39 points) there is no doubt the whole line is contributing to the team’s success. However, the one putting the puck in the back in the net is the 33 year-old with 24 goals on the season (5^th in the NHL). Even if Briere starts slumping on the first line and gets demoted to the second line with Richards and Van Riemsdyk, like it has in past years, don’t expect his number to go down with that type of talent surrounding him!

Patrice Bergeron: After suffering a massive concussion in the 2007-2008 season, Bergeron has never really been the same. Well, he’s back! With 10 points in his last 6 games (6 goals, 4 assists), including a hat-trick) the former 2^nd round draft pick is on pace for a career changing year with 63 points. Posting a +16 rating even while notching 10 PPP, proves that when the Quebec native is on the ice, good things happen. Considering the Bruins success, even with Savard not producing, expect Bergeron’s numbers to stay relatively where they are, especially with the amount of time on ice he is getting from Claude Julien, with slight hot/cold streaks here and there.

Tobias Enstrom: Playing for one of the most surprisingly hot squads in the NHL, Enstrom, along with his defense partner Dustin Byfuglien, are leading the way. Currently tied for third place, in points, for all defensemen, the small 5 foot 10 Swede is currently riding a 6 game point streak in which he has 9 points (1 goal, 8 assists). Considering the season is only half over, and the former 8^th rounder is only 10 points away from tying his career high in points, expect Enstrom to have a career high in just about every category. The Thrashers are a young dynamic team and expect their best players (Ladd, Byfuglien, and Enstrom) to produce as they try and push Tampa out of the South East division.

Corey Crawford: In for the struggling Marty Turco, the young 26 year old Crawford has been carrying the whole Hawks squad on his back stopping 101 shots of 105 faced. While obtaining his 1^st and 2^nd career shutout in consecutive games, the Montreal, Quebec native has shown that he is capable of leading his team to the playoffs. Considering Turco is more experienced and was given the starting position at the beginning of the season, expect him to relieve Crawford when he begins fatiguing. With an outstanding defense squad, led by the veteran Keith, don’t hesitate to start Crawford in your lineups and take his current success while it stays. Who knows, with 15 wins in 25 games, the former 2^nd round pick might take over the slumping Turco’s starting position!

Who’s Cold?

Nathan Horton: After being acquired by the Bruins from Florida during the off-season there were high expectations for the former 62 point centerman. After starting the season off strong, Horton currently colder than ice with only has 4 points in his last 14 games. With 105 shots on goal on the season there is no doubt that #18 is trying to put the puck in the net, but things as of late are not going his way. However, there is still hope! With a +15 rating, clearly, good things do happen when Horton is on the ice. Don’t drop Horton, even though he is struggling as of late, because with a blink of an eye, especially with the hot Bruins, things can turn for the better!

John Michael Liles: After starting off the season with a nine game point streak and 29 points in the first 3 months of the season, Liles has cooled down with only 3 points in his last 13 points. On pace for a career high 56 points, Inidiana native is enjoying his ice-time for the hot Avs. With the return of Chris Stewart on the power play, you might see Liles’ number rise a bit, but for the most part he will stay a 50-60 point getter. In deep leagues, the former 5^th rounder is a steal, but in leagues with only 6-8 teams, one must ponder whether #4 is worth keeping.

Brian Gionta: Playing for the extremely streaky Montreal Canadiens, the team has turned to his line (Plekanec, Cammalleri, Himself) for goals for the most part of the season. However, with their right winger netting only 3 points in his last 11 games, the line has been slumping as of late. Luckily, the newly signed Wisniewski has been adding his dynamic 100 m/h shot to the power play. With a powerful 2^nd and 3^rd line, don’t expect Gionta’s numbers to reach where they were in New Jersey, but rather a 40-50 point getter. With 15 goals, the American is still on pace for a career high as a Hab, and expect his numbers to ajust according to the team’s success.

Duncan Keith: Considering the 27 year old is coming off a 63 point season, expectations could not have been higher, especially with the departure of Dustin Byfuglien on the point. Well, Keith has not lived up to those expectations, at least as of late. Notching only 2 assists in his last 11 games, the former Norris trophy winner is cold, to say the least. With an extremely talented Hawks lineup expect Keith’s numbers to rise, along with the team’s success, now that they have the injured Hossa, Kane, and Toews back in the lineup. 

Jonathan Quick: Playing for the Pacific division worst Los Angeles Kings, Quick has not been helping out his team letting in 14 goals on 11 shots (3.54 GAA, .857 Save %). Playing for a squad that lacks depth not only in their 3^rd and 4^th forward lines but also in their defense pairings, consisted only of youngsters Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, Quick is having one of the worst seasons of his career. With already 4 shutouts halfway through the season, the 6 foot 1 goalie should be kept in deep leagues, however, in ones that are consisted of 20-24 goalies max, Quick should probably be sitting in the free agent pile waiting for him and his squad to heat up!