Yeah, we dancin’.
You don’t get many of these in this biz, so I’ll lead.
But first…
…It’s a singular thing Watson, but I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought.–Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Under Pressure:
One of the challenges of putting together an article for a fantasy hockey website is that you sort of have to wait until your weekly matchups are over for there to be any degree of relevance. It makes no sense to write about results and or lessons learned when the games haven’t even finished. This leaves my window open from late Sunday night into early Monday morning. Mind you, this crazed one is pretty actively ruminating all week, but still, there’s always dancing to be done when courting one’s muse.
And yes Virginia or should I say Ginger (uh…hey Torts? Could you please give Tippett some more ice team! Killin’ me here.), teachers do remember their teachers. Especially this one: Michael I see that you haven’t even begun your essay. It’s due on Monday you know. Yeah, I know. I just work better under pressure. Is that so? Well I’m putting pressure on you now…
So here’s to you Mrs. Farrell. A 47-year in waiting thank you from your student, a teacher.
When thinking of topics for fantasy hockey articles, it’s been a goal of mine to explore the world outside of the numbers. Don’t wanna brag or anything….but I got people for those. Hi Nate. Blake, is that you? Oh YEAH! Thanks brother. What’s up Hutch? AM 34 LET’S GO! Binksy, you hanging in there now that the game has changed? They are game changers right? And last, but definitely not least, my voice of reason guy, Craig. Thanks for keeping me less insane boys.
As for the periphs…why do you hesitate? There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced detectives is helpless. You mean that the thing is supernatural? I did not say positively say so. No, but you evidently think it.–Sherlock Holmes being hounded again.
To Oz:
Juuse Soros NSH- G: From the Yahoo Fantasy Hockey app write up on Sunday December 24, 2023:
Saros stopped 31 shots in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Dallas.
Advice: The 28-year-old netminder took a shutout into the third period and was still protecting a 2-1 lead with just 15 seconds left in regulation, but the Predators’ defense wilted under the pressure and Saros somehow got beaten twice before the final horn sounded. It marked the first time in NHL history that a team had scored the tying and winning goals inside the final 15 seconds of a game. Despite the stumble, Saros has been mostly outstanding in December, posting a 7-2-0 record over nine starts with a 2.17 GAA and .933 save percentage.
You cannot make this stuff up. I wanted to throw my phone out the window! C’mon Professor, this is Zero-G 101. What are we doin’ here?
Fortunately for me, it was an early game and I had the rest of Saturday to obsess over my teams’ respective matchups.
And then, Saturday’s sepia turned into Dorothy’s Sunday as the clock struck 1:00 am and the curtain was pulled back.
Captain My Captain:
Sometimes they don’t “show out.” And sometimes they’re just vanilla ice cream on top of pound cake. But every once in a while, it’s a spicy hot take. And it’s during these times that we need to take a step closer to the Flames.
Because among my three teams this year, I’ve got some captains on my ship. And those men brought this vessel into port over the past week.
There’s way more than “there’s something about a captain” that’s worth not only mentioning but also rostering when it comes to team leaders. That “C” may not be quantifiable, but it’s what gets a player like Suzy to make a miracle come through. More about that down below.
Nick Suzuki: Don’t look now or dare I say, too closely, but the Montreal captain is quietly having a sneaky good year. I know it’s early (it’s getting later earlier though folks), but Suzuki was a horse last week and has been so far this year. Fingers crossed that this continues and he doesn’t pull a Rusty on me down the road. If you know, you know.
Roman Josi: While we’re on the subject of horses…Imagine if he played in a bigger hockey market? Let’s not. I’m happy that he continues to fly somewhat under the radar. Follow this path all the way because all roads…
Nico Hischier: On my bench all week (I’ve got Tavares, MacKinnon, and Kempe) and I’m a Devils homer. Still, since coming back from his IR stint, he’s my security blanket just in case.
Anders Lee: Anders Lee?! This guy still playing? Uh ya. Nobody seems to want him and he’s on the Islanders. Enough already.
I picked him a few weeks ago as a streamer in the Apples and Ginos Listener League 2 and he might have been THE reason I took down the first place team last week. Crowing a bit here, but hey that was a hugely satisfying win that literally went down to the final horn in the final game of the week. In a deep league with banger categories, I’m holding.
John Tavares: A Leaf with Islander roots. That’s what I’m talking about and will continue to keep talking about. Shout out to Blake Creamer for emphasizing to me his insane “underlying metrics” when I couldn’t decide between starting Tavs or Nico. ‘Cuz that’s how we do. Tavares, like my boy B Money, truly is the cream of the crop.
Mikael Backlund: Calgary’s a tire/dumpster fire, they have no firepower yadda, yadda, yadda. All I know is that he’s been a historically prolific shooter and you can’t score unless you do so. A late Sunday night assist, four SOGs, and a hit put me over the top. Mon Capitan!
Backwards and In High Heels:
As you probably picked up on, it was a good week for my three teams. I won all three matchups, the most satisfying, as mentioned above, was my win over the first place team in the Apples and Ginos Listener League 2.
Projected to lose all three matchups and losing for most of the week, I closed the door, put in my ear buds, and invoked my inner Barry Manilow. It’s ok. You can admit it too. We all could use some happy vibes and this one brings a smile to my face.
The players below had me having to venture into different genres and I did so with the help of Fred and Ginger. What’s that?…Ugh. Kids of today.
Astaire was from another planet but what about Ginger? “Sure he was great, but don’t forget she did everything he did…backwards and in high heels:”
Swing Time:
Sam Bennett: Sold high on William Karlsson and bought low on Bennett. Sometimes it works and this one did. Hopefully it/he continues to do so. Sam Bennett Dyson. Winking and nodding here Blake.
Ross Colton: There’s a reason that Nate’s at the helm and Colton continues to be one of his poster boys. Deployment issues aside, in deeper leagues, he’s a high ceiling player on an explosive team.
Anders Lee: see above.
Martin Necas: The Steady Eddie of my A&G team. While most others are waiting on Svech, I’m happy to roster this underrated performer. Few players on any of my teams have been more plug, play, and forget than Necas. No worries, Marty. I’m watching and appreciating.
Mikael Backlund: see above too.
Juraj Slafkovsky: Look away Nate. I took a flier on him on Monday for the week-long stream and what a stream it was. Again, another difference maker in a hair-splitter of a matchup. Four points, five SOG, six hits, and three blocks. Thank you for your service!
O.k, let’s give it up with a disco ball and some Sunshine to close this thing out because it’s Time for…(insert ear buds and close the door again):
Timo (Meier)–
Still concerned about the deployment and year long potential, but if you had to pick a week, this was it Timo.
Like I said, we dancin’.
P.S. He does kinda look like him right?
Prof’s Plays for Week 12:
1. Set your lineups ahead of time. Please.
It’s a Funky Cold Medina week in terms of schedule maximization, so don’t freak out if you feel a little hand-cuffed. You won’t be alone.
2. Default to playing your better players REGARDLESS OF MATCHUP. While it’s no guarantee (what is in fantasy), it’s always my go-to move. You have to have faith in your stars. After all, that’s why you’ve got them.
You’re probably going to have players on your bench on the heavier days. Therefore there may be some tough sit/start dilemmas. If and when you get there, just revisit Tip #2 and don’t look back. O.K, you can peek, but no regrets. Got it? Good.
3. In a week like Week 12, goalie streams may be more in play than is the ushe especially if your league places a decent amount of value in goalie stats.
Look for some openings in your goalie roster spots and, if it makes sense, take a shot.
Happy holidays and thanks for reading.
Mike@TheFantasyHockeyProfessor
Apples and Ginos 