12/10/11- Studs & Duds

[guthey]

Studs

Brian Elliott- considered to be erratic through his days in Ottawa and Tampa Bay, Brian Elliott has sparkling numbers in St. Louis this year: 12 wins and two losses, .947 SAV% and GAA of 1.46. He also has four shutouts on the year which ties him with Jonathan Quick of the L.A. Kings. Last night he faced 24 shots from the Sharks, which doesn't sound like alot but, many of them required high quality stops from Elliott.

Despite Blues starter Jaroslav Halak's recent 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on the Dec 8th, he still has only earned 10 out of 18 possible points in the standings for the games he started going back through November. Elliott on the other hand, Elliott has earned just as many starts but the yield has been much greater with Elliott earning 16 out of 18 points in the standings in that same time period. The Blues are no longer seen as a .500 team and so they need to maybe take the risk of hurting someone's ego, since Elliott has proven until he unravels that he should be treated as the #1 in St. Louis.

Favoring Hagelin- A year ago, Carl Hagelin was projected to become a nice depth forward in the NHL. The former Michigan Wolverine, has the tenacity to forecheck and play strong defense but he also has the ability to score some goals as he did twice against the Buffalo Sabres last night. Hagelin has six points in eight NHL games and is a plus-six in his brief NHL career.

Last night in the Rangers 4-1 win over the Sabres, Hagelin's first goal came as a short-handed tally and his other was an even strength goal. There is no reason why Hagelin can't be a decent long-term secondary offensive contributor who is also a very good defensive forward. His current pace is a bit much to reasonably expect to continue but a slightly better offensively version of fellow hard-working University of Michigan alum, John Madden might not be out of the question at all.

So an American, a Dane, and a Canadian walk into Rogers Arena...- While the Canucks second line may sound like the start to a really bad joke, their production recently has been no laughing matter. The line of Ryan Kesler, Jannik Hansen and recently Mason Raymond (before he came back from injury, the line had Chris Higgins on the left side) has been electric. Kesler looks much better with 14 points in his last 10 games; including three points against the Senators last night. Hansen has six points during the five Canucks games so far in December. He added an assist last night to keep his five game point streak going. In general, Hansen is utilizing his speed better and is getting into more dangerous areas as opposed to being around them. The Canadian, Mason Raymond has three points in four games since coming back.

Honorable Mention- Richard Bachman- he played very well last night for the Stars stopping 26 of 27 against the struggling Kings offense and earned the win in the 2-1 final.

Duds

Spastic Pavelec- The play of Winnipeg Jet, Ondrej Pavelec has been a fantasy hockey nightmare. He has developed a habit of earned three straight wins and than rattling off a series of losses, which are often of the blowout variety. His two three win stretches have included victories against the Bruins, Devils, Flyers, Capitals, Lightning and Coyotes; these are not bad teams by any definition of it. He only once did he allow more than two goals in these victories against some good offensive teams. However last night's 7-1 thrashing (no pun intended) by the Red Wings, exemplifies why many nights Pavelec is not a good play. He is one of the most secure goalies in the league if you look at how marginal a threat veteran Chris Mason and the fringe goalie prospects are to him that Winnipeg has currently. However, long term this play is unacceptable, not only in fantasy hockey but one has to believe to the Jets management as well. Pavelec needs to start developing some consistency because even with a banged up defense, five to seven goals on a regular basis is unacceptable in the NHL.

Mike Smith- After a very solid November, Coyotes netminder Mike Smith might as well be a lump of coal in net the way he is playing this month. In five December games: Smith has let in four goals three times, been pulled twice and won once. Even Dave Tippett's defensive scheme is coming up short and currently can't hide Smith's weaknesses. Tippett is a good enough coach that they'll figure out something new to help Smith out because the current model is not working.

[newper114]

Great stuff GG, you should have quessed about smiths bad play this month. I mean you did just trade for him in our league!