Fantasy Hockey Challenge-NHL Week 2 Picks
This week I’m hoping to get more from my goalies including Carey Price (30) of the Montreal Canadiens. Find all my Hockey Challenge Picks below. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Week 1 of the abbreviated NHL Schedule is almost in the books, so it’s time to start looking ahead to week 2 to see who’s hot and who the schedule favors as we fill out our week 2 roster.
So far, I’m hanging in there just above the median, but I’ve had nowhere near the success Axis of Anarchy has as he leads our Fantasy CPR group (click here for info to join). After Wednesday’s action, he’s in the top 3% of all entries.
Here’s who I’m picking up for week 2
Goalies
Carey Price-Montreal Canadiens: My goalies haven’t come through so far this week, so I’m switching them both up. Price has started out the season hot and has three home games this week. His only road game is against Ottawa while he’s home for Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Buffalo. The Habs offense doesn’t score him a ton of goals, but I think he should still have a solid week.
Tuuka Rask-Boston Bruins: Rask won his first two games before falling to the Rangers on Wedneday night. Boston has four games this week with a pair of home games against the Devils and Sabres sandwiched by road games against the ‘Canes and Maple Leafs.
Defenseman
Jan. 20, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle (3) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) battle for the puck during the second period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Keith Yandle-Phoenix Coyotes: Yandle has assists in each of his first two games this season and is seeing a good amount of ice time for Phoenix. The Coyotes have four games this week with three in the desert where they always play better.
Zdeno Chara-Boston Bruins: Chara has logged serious ice time for Boston although he collected just his first point against the Rangers last night. I like the B’s schedule next week and want to get Chara locked in before his price goes up, so I’m adding him for this week.
Nick Leddy-Chicago Blackhawks: Even though Chicago only has three games, I’m holding onto Leddy after the youngster opened the season with an assist in each of his first three games. His time in the AHL during the strike seems to have helped and he looks like he’ll be a contributor for Chicago again this season..
Andrei Markov-Montrial Canadiens: Markov scored a pair of goals against the Panthers on Tuesday as part of the Power Play unit. With the Canadiens schedule this week and his power play potential, Markov is a nice pickup.
Forwards
January 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) and defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) celebrate goal by left wing James Neal (18) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh Penguins: Malkin has five points in his first three games including a three-assist performance against the Rangers. The Pens have four games this week including another against the Rangers so Malkin should be in for another solid week.
Steven Stamkos-Tampa Bay Lightening: Stamkos has five points in his first three games and looks like someone you want to have locked in at a low price again this season. I’m keeping him even though he only has three games this weeek.
James Neal-Pittsburgh Penguins: Neal’s off to a hot start as well for Pittsburgh and faces the same favorable schedule as Malkin.
Zach Parise- Minnesota Wild: Parise has at least a point in every game with four in his first three overall. He seems to have suffered no ill effects of the move to Minnesota and with his value set to climb I’ll hold him this week even with just three games on his schedule.
Jonathan Toews-Chicago Blackhawks: Toews also has just three games this week but has put up three points in his first three games and is another player whose value is headed upward. All three of the Chicago games are on the road too, so be careful how many Blackhawks you carry this week even after their hot start.
Ilya Kovalchuk-New Jersey Devils: Kovalchuk will always see plenty of ice time for the Devils and has three points in his first two games this season. New Jersey has four games this week as well making a a good time to get him on your roster for a high-scoring week.