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 Posted - 12/27/2006 : 22:51:34
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By Darryl Dobbs
Merry Christmas fantasy poolies. As my gift to you, I give you the benefit of some extra fantasy hockey research and thoughts. After all the Christmas turkey is eaten, and the Christmas beer has been downed (yes, in the Dobber household we call it Christmas beer – it’s any beer really, except that you drink it on December 25th), be sure to read and react to these tips and lead your fantasy squad to glory…
Cory Stillman’s return to the Carolina lineup has not had a negative impact on a single winger. Stillman has seven points in six games since his return. In those same six games, Ray Whitney also has seven points, ditto for Jason Williams, while Scott Walker has four and Erik Cole has five. The Hurricanes have averaged three goals per game during that span, which is actually a little down from before. It is the depth wingers who have seen their production go down…
Andy Hilbert of the Islanders was pointless in his first 21 games this season, but has 10 points in his last 12 games. He is still getting just 10 minutes of ice time and the bulk of his points came during Alexei Yashin’s absence, which opened up a temporary spot on the second power play unit for him…
The Dominator is up to his old tricks again. Detroit goalie Dominik Hasek allowed one goal or less in 10 of his last 18 starts. Until he gets hurt, thanks to his talent and the playing style of the Red Wings, he is the best fantasy goalie to own right now…
Los Angeles rookie phenom Anze Kopitar has 14 points in his last 14 games. Fellow phenom Evgeni Malkin has 13 in his last 14, and the player third in rookie scoring, Paul Stastny, has 12 in 14…
Buffalo’s Derek Roy has just five points in 10 games since returning from a hand injury. Perhaps his hand has not fully healed yet. Linemate Tomas Vanek has just three points in his last nine games, and Maxim Afinogenov (the other linemate) has two in his last four…
Vincent Lecavalier of the Lightning is on a 107-point pace, which would trump his career high of 78. At 26 years of age he is just entering his prime. There is no reason to believe he won’t reach 100 for the first time – he’s only getting better as the season wears on. In his last 30 games he has 43 points…
My biggest (and worst) dark horse pick from the summer, Colby Armstrong, is on pace for less than 40 points and is showing no signs of that changing. He has pretty much run out of opportunities to play on a line with close friend and roommate Sidney Crosby, and it would pretty much take a trade of Ryan Malone (or an injury) to give him another shot up there. Last season he did have 38 points in his last 39 games, but that will not happen again this year unless something happens to another winger…
Since Florida’s Jozef Stumpel was moved back to his natural center position, he has 11 points in his last seven games. He has been shut out in his past two contests, however, as the opposition has begun keying on his line. His linemates have been sophomore Rostislav Olesz and Ville Peltonen.
Minnesota Wild’s Brian Rolston has been held off the scoresheet for five of his last six games…
Very early to be spotting a trend here, but Jeff Carter has scored goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Perhaps he is waking up…
Have a safe a happy holiday folks!
For many fantasy hockey tips – visit www.dobberhockey.com and be sure to pick up the Midseason Fantasy Hockey Guide, out January 3rd…
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Fantasy Hockey Christmas Notes & Tips 
