Fantasy Forecast for Friday, November 20

The best fantasy coverage on the net isn't taking weekends off anymore. Every Saturday, Matt Cubeta will provide a comprehensive recap of the night's action from a fantasy perspective, highlighting the top performers and providing news and notes to guide your entry. Check out Matt's report Saturday.

THURSDAY'S ROUNDUP:

The countdown to Marian Hossa's Blackhawks debut is less than a week away, according to the Chicago Tribune -- the target date is Nov. 25 at San Jose. "There are going to be a lot of options for a coach to have," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's going to get a lot of ice time. We're looking forward to him being useful in a lot of ways." At Wednesday's practice, Hossa participated in line drills with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. "I still don't know who he's going to play with, but I think everybody's hoping they're going to be on that line," Quenneville said.

As of Friday afternoon, Hossa was owned in only 88 percent of all Yahoo! leagues. He'd be an amazing free-agent pickup, so check his availability in your league immediately.

Notable names who returned from injury Thursday include Sergei Gonchar, Milan Lucic, Pavel Kubina, Kris Versteeg, Raffi Torres, Dean McAmmond and Maxime Talbot.

What’s up with the reigning Vezina Trophy winner? Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (14 games, 5-6-3, 2.33 GAA, 96 percent) was slated to face the Thrashers in Atlanta on Thursday, according to the Boston Globe, but 90 minutes before game time he was scratched with a "minor undisclosed injury." Rookie backup Tuukka Rask (7, 4-2-1, 2.49 GAA, 11 percent) took the start in the 4-3 shootout victory. "It's a minor undisclosed injury,'' coach Claude Julien said. "We were better with Tuukka in (Thursday). We'll see how it is (Friday). But it's short-term.''

According to the Boston Herald, injured first-line center Marc Savard (7, 4-3-7, 91 percent) could return to the lineup Monday in St. Louis. "I feel great out there. You've got to put in your time, though," said Savard, who is skating and practicing. "You've got to skate a couple of times."

Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau revealed to the Washington Post that left wing Alexander Semin (18, 9-8-17, 98 percent) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to last Sunday with a wrist injury. He is ruled out of games Friday and Saturday.

The career-worst 12-game point drought for Blues veteran Paul Kariya has resulted in a line change, as he now joins T.J. Oshie and David Backes, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Kariya (19, 4-3-7, 34 percent) spent the last five games on the checking line, but this move is expected to help break his funk. "Paul's got his game going, but we need production. He knows it as well," coach Andy Murray said.

Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (20, 5-13-18, 96 percent) has three straight multi-point games, totaling 1-6-7 in that span. He is tied for fourth in League scoring among blueliners.

Panthers coach Peter DeBoer told the Palm Beach Post that backup goalie Scott Clemmensen (4, 2-1-0, 5.13 GAA, 10 percent) will play at Detroit on Friday. It will be his first start since Nov. 7. Starter Tomas Vokoun (16, 6-8-2, 2.76 GAA, 80 percent) is expected to play Saturday at the Rangers, but DeBoer wouldn't commit beyond Friday's game. "What if I decide to put Vokoun in early in the first (Friday) and then want to go back with Clem on Saturday?" he said. "There's all kinds of things that could happen." Clemmensen will be opposed by Chris Osgood (12, 6-3-2, 277 GAA, 90 percent) of the Red Wings.

Also from Florida, there has been a scoring change from Wednesday's 6-2 win at Buffalo. Credit for the Panthers' fourth goal was changed from Michael Frolik to Bryan McCabe after further review by League officials. The official game summary on NHL.com has been updated with this change.

The (Newark) Star-Ledger reports Devils center Dainius Zubrus (20, 2-5-7, 3 percent) may have fractured his right leg after being struck by a Kevin Klein slap shot in Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss at Nashville. The force of the shot broke Zubrus' shin guard. He returned to New Jersey for further evaluation rather than continue the road trip, which next takes the Devils to Dallas.

Has anyone noticed Rangers rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto has slowed down his production of late? He began his career with an incredible run of 4-8-12 in his first 12 games. But in nine games since Oct. 28, Del Zotto (21, 4-11-15, 81 percent) has only 3 assists.

The San Jose Mercury News reports Sharks first-line right wing Devin Setoguchi (15, 8-2-10, 93 percent) will miss a second straight game with a leg injury. San Jose hosts the Flyers.

Fantasy owners of Alexei Kovalev (19, 4-6-10, 79 percent) can bench the Senators star forward for games Saturday against Buffalo and Monday against Washington. He is on leave from the team to travel to Russia because of the death of his mother-in-law. Ryan Shannon (11, 0-1-1, zero percent) will replace Kovalev on the second line, with Mike Fisher and Nick Foligno.

November's leading goaltenders

Through Thursday's games
Ray Emery (PHI), 6 games, 5-1-0, 1.81 GAA, .936 SVP
Martin Brodeur (NJD), 7 games, 5-1-0, 1.84 GAA, .935 SVP
Cristobal Huet (CHI), 6 games, 5-1-0, 1.98 GAA, .920 SVP
Evgeni Nabokov (SJS), 7 games, 4-0-1, 1.51 GAA, .950 SVP
Tomas Vokoun (FLA), 6 games, 4-1-2, 1.94 GAA, .939 SVP
Pekka Rinne (NSH), 5 games, 4-1-1, 1.97 GAA, .925 SVP
Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY), 7 games, 4-2-1, 2.06 GAA, .933 SVP
Ryan Miller (BUF), 6 games, 4-2-1, 2.15 GAA, .923 SVP

FRIDAY'S PROJECTED GOALIES:

Montreal (Carey Price) at Washington (Semyon Varlamov), 7 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS)
Boston (Tim Thomas) at Buffalo (Ryan Miller), 7:30 p.m. ET
Florida (Scott Clemmensen) at Detroit (Chris Osgood), 7:30 p.m. ET
N.Y. Islanders (Dwayne Roloson) at Minnesota (Niklas Backstrom), 8 p.m. ET
Colorado (Craig Anderson) at Vancouver (Roberto Luongo), 10 p.m. ET
Philadelphia (Ray Emery) at San Jose (Evgeni Nabokov), 10:30 p.m. ET (NHLN-US)

RECENT INJURIES:

Arron Asham, RW, Philadelphia: Is day-to-day with a strained oblique muscle.
Fabian Brunnstrom, LW, Dallas: Placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Mike Comrie, C, Edmonton: Is day-to-day with mononucleosis.
Brian Gionta, RW, Montreal: Is out indefinitely with a broken bone in his foot.
Alex Goligoski, D, Pittsburgh: Will be out 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Michael Leighton, G, Carolina: Is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Matthew Lombardi, C, Phoenix: Is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Jay McKee, D, Pittsburgh: Will be sidelined 2-4 weeks with an infected finger.
Mattias Ohlund, D, Tampa Bay: Is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Joni Pitkanen, D, Carolina: Is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Alexander Semin, LW, Washington: Placed on injured reserve with a right wrist injury.
Devin Setoguchi, RW, San Jose: Is day-to-day with a leg injury.
Ryan Smyth, LW, Los Angeles: Is sidelined for a month with an upper-body injury.
Scott Walker, RW, Carolina: Is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

TRANSACTIONS:

Anaheim Ducks: Assigned F Erik Christensen to Manitoba (AHL) for a conditioning assignment.
Carolina Hurricanes: Placed G Cam Ward on long-term injured reserve. Placed C Eric Staal on injured reserve. Recalled F Patrick Dwyer from Albany (AHL).
Columbus Blue Jackets: Activated F Raffi Torres off injured reserve.        
Dallas Stars: Placed LW Fabian Brunnstrom on injured reserve, retroactive to Nov. 7. Recalled C Warren Peters from Texas (AHL).
Detroit Red Wings: Assigned G Daniel Larsson to Grand Rapids (AHL).
Los Angeles Kings: Activated D Alec Martinez off injured reserve and assigned him to Manchester (AHL).
Montreal Canadiens: Assigned F Gregory Stewart to Hamilton (AHL).
New Jersey Devils: Recalled D Tyler Eckford from Lowell (AHL). Assigned D Cory Murphy to Lowell (AHL).
Pittsburgh Penguins: Recalled D Chris Lee from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Washington Capitals: Recalled D John Carlson from Hershey (AHL). Placed LW Alexander Semin on injured reserve, retroactive to Nov. 15.

NHL.COM EXPERTS LEAGUE:

Week 7 results through Nov. 19
Philly Cheesestakes 6, Rocky Trottier 4 (1 tie)
Skoula Hard Knocks 5, No Shanahan-igans 5 (1 tie)
Clown Shoes 8, Ovi's Heroes 2 (1 tie)
Hammerhead United 5, Hempstead Slowpokes 3 (3 ties)
Out on a Dan Hinote 6, The Birdcage 2 (3 ties)
Big Skillets O'BKLYN 7, Code Monkeys 3 (1 tie)

E-MAIL OF THE DAY:

Rocky,
Couple of tough choices in my 14-team (9 forwards, 4 defensemen, 2 goalies, 2 bench spots) keeper league. It's one point for goals and assists, and 0.5 for power-play points. I'm trying to choose between Andy Greene and Anton Stralman for my fourth D spot. Neither has a track record of big production, but each is getting solid time on their teams' loaded power play. I'm leaning toward Stralman, as Greene's power-play time looks unsustainable. Cory Murphy, Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya all figure to challenge, while Brian Rolston, Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Elias all look comfortable from the back end on the power play. I'm currently holding some great young talent, but with mediocre results. Claude Giroux, Derick Brassard and Niclas Bergfors figure to make waves in the League at some point, but what order would you rate them for this season and why?
Love the Forecast, and keep up the good work.  
Thanks,
-- NM

We're really splitting hairs here with Greene and Stralman. Let's go to the numbers…
Power-play points: Greene 3-3-6, Stralman 2-6-8; power-play ice time per game: Greene 2:57, Stralman 3:36; overall ice time per game: Greene 22:49, Stralman 19:59; team power plays: New Jersey 20.2 (16-for-79), Columbus 25.0 (20-for-80); regular-season points: Greene 3-6-9 (17 games), Stralman 2-9-11 (18 games).

I'm not concerned at all about Greene's power-play outlook with the Devils. His power-play ice time per game is second among New Jersey defensemen only to Cory Murphy, who was sent to the AHL earlier this week. Martin will get his share when he's back from injury, but Green's specialty is his offense, not his defensive play.

The Maple Leafs must be asking themselves why they didn't see this Stralman in his two seasons in Toronto. He entered 2009-10 with career stats of 4-18-22 in 88 games. Stralman averages a team defenseman-high 3:29 per game on the power play. Stralman shoots a lot more than Greene, 27-20, if you want to use that as a tiebreaker. Do you care about plus-minus? Green is plus-6, Stralman a minus-7. Let's settle it this way … who is the most dominant power-play scorer on either team? My vote goes to Rick Nash, and he'll help give Stralman the best chance for man-advantage points. Advantage: Stralman.

As for the second part of your question, I would rate them: 1) Bergfors, 2) Brassard, 3) Giroux. I'm really impressed with Bergfors, the Devils' rookie, and it seems four seasons in the AHL have nicely matured his game. That's what New Jersey does -- keep youngsters in the minors longer than most teams, opting not to rush them. Through 19 games, Bergfors (20, 5-9-14) is averaging nearly three shots a game and has 3 power-play goals. Speaking of Nash, as long as Brassard (19, 3-7-10) is his center -- and that's not always the case -- he has that much of a better chance of picking up a point. I've read lots about Giroux (18, 1-10-11) this week, with how the Flyers coaches are imploring him to shoot more. They've recently moved him from wing back to his natural center spot, so we'll wait and see how that works. Philadelphia has so many more scoring options than the Devils and Blue Jackets.

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