NHLKIA Fantasy Tips, Jan. 31 deadline

Beginning of Story Content

Each week, Jordan will try to provide you with guidance and inside information as you pick your lineup in the Hockey Night in Canada Fantasy Pool presented by Kia, with a focus on finding "sleeper" picks to help fill the roster when cap space is low.

Week 18 is the other side of the NHL All-Star break and is a shortened week, encompassing Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 games only. Covering only four days of action, four teams play in three games and the rest take to the ice only twice. 

Everyone plays on back to back nights but this may not be a factor when it comes to goalies because non all-star participants have just enjoyed at least five days off.  As the second half continues to develop it's important for owners to identify players who have started to 'come on' and put up points despite a weaker first half. 

Goalies

Among the four teams who play three games this week I really like Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks. After battling vertigo issues last season he didn't get off to the greatest start in 2011. From October to the end of December Hiller posted a 9-17-6 record and it seemed as though Anaheim was destined for a top 5 draft pick this summer. 

However, Hiller is 7-2-1 in 2012 and Anaheim is making a climb in the standings. During the past 10 games he's allowed three goals in a game just once, meaning he's stopping more pucks and his defence is helping him out more. 

Although it may be a case of too little too late for the Ducks, it doesn't mean fantasy owners should ignore a hot goalie. In Week 18 Anaheim plays 3 times (@ PHO, VS DAL, VS CBJ), and although the Phoenix and Dallas games are back to back Hiller could start them both. 

He has enjoyed six days off and Anaheim's back up is the little used Jeff Deslauriers. I think he is ripe for a handful of wins and I recommend Hiller as a must add for this week. Due to the chance of 3 starts he should also get your goalie 3-star selection. 

Defence

He's heating up right now and is affordable with a player value of 2. I'm speaking of Winnipeg Jets defencemen Tobias Enstrom, someone fantasy owners should have their eyes on for the abbreviated post All-Star week. 

A fantasy darling from last season, Enstrom suffered a broken collarbone in October which caused him to miss 20 games. This absence is also likely a reason his player value remained at 2 when the numbers were adjusted a few weeks back. 

Since returning on Dec. 17, he has notched 13 points in 19 games and should be back on your radar as a player to have on your roster.

Winnipeg is one of the few teams who will play 3 games in Week 18 (@ Phi, @ TB, @ FLA) and Enstrom will lead the blue-line. The absence of fantasy stud Dustin Byfuglien due to injury will only cement Enstrom's value to your squad as he will be the catalyst on the Winnipeg blue line for all power play opportunities. 

Enstrom should be good for at least four points this week.

Forward

In Week 18 you should definitely have Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa on your team. Chicago plays three times this week and that will increase Hossa's chances to record multiple points. 

Playing on the road, the Blackhawks will visit Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary over a span of four nights. 

Since teammate Patrick Sharp went down with a broken wrist. Hossa has recorded nine points in eight games. He is also getting several minutes more per game of ice time and this injury enhances Hossa's role as a prominent winger on the league's ninth best power-play unit. I think that he is an affordable addition besides some elite options and someone you should give consideration as your 3-star selection

Be sure to have your rosters set in time for the Tuesday January 31st, 7:00pm/et deadline.

End of Story Content

Back to accessibility links