Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 17. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Add Kailer Yamamoto
Team: Oilers Position: RW Ownership: 9%
Yamamoto has been sensational since his recall from the AHL on Dec. 29, tallying 10 points in 11 games. He's been clicking lately while playing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. As long as that trio stays together, Yamamoto - a first-round pick in 2017 - should remain fantasy relevant.
Buy low on Tyler Seguin
Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Team: Stars Position: C/RW Ownership: 99%
If there's ever been a time to buy low on Seguin, it's now. The Stars forward hasn't scored in 12 games, dropping his season shooting percentage to a career-low 6%. Seguin, who has recorded just 11 goals this season, is simply too good to stay cold for much longer. Expect him to fill the net down the stretch.
Add Brendan Lemieux
Team: Rangers Position: LW Ownership: 6%
If your league rewards players for hits and/or penalty minutes, add Lemieux immediately. The son of four-time Stanley Cup champion and ultimate pest Claude Lemieux, Brendan's playing style is similar to his old man's approach.
When Chris Kreider left the Rangers' game on Saturday after taking a knee to the head, Lemieux was promoted to the first line. If Kreider - who's listed as day-to-day - misses any time this week, Lemieux could continue to replace him on the top line.
If Lemieux's skill set doesn't fit well in your league, it's still worth looking into adding another Rangers player - perhaps Pavel Buchnevich (8% owned), Adam Fox (41%), or Jesper Fast (2%). New York will play a league-high four contests over the next seven days, but none of those games occur on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday - the busiest nights of the week. That will ensure you can get your freshly added player into your lineup for all four games.
Add James Reimer
Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty
Team: Hurricanes Position: G Ownership: 30%
Reimer is still somehow available in 70% of leagues despite playing like a No. 1 goalie for the Hurricanes. Teammate Petr Mrazek has received more starts, but it's clear from the stats who the superior netminder is.
Stat
Mrazek
Reimer
GP
33
21
GAA
2.63
2.48
SV%
.904
.920
GSAA
-3.94
7.25
Reimer's been especially hot of late, posting a .957 save percentage over his last four games. Expect the Canes to lean on the veteran down the stretch as they fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Add Nick Suzuki
Team: Canadiens Position: C/RW Ownership: 17%
Suzuki's been forced into more minutes with the Habs decimated by injuries up front, and he's excelled with more on his plate. In his first 34 games, the rookie recorded 15 points while averaging 14:36 of ice time. In 20 games since, he's racked up 18 points while logging 17:48 per night.
The 2017 first-rounder - who was acquired by Montreal in the Max Pacioretty trade - is currently riding a four-game point streak and getting time on the club's top power-play unit. If the Canadiens sell at the deadline, it could mean even more minutes for Suzuki the rest of the way.
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.
Philadelphia police closed their investigation into an alleged assault involving the Flyers mascot late last year, reports FOX 29. Detectives said the actions of the person in the Gritty costume "did not constitute physical assault as alleged."
In late January, Flyers season-ticket holder Chris Greenwell claimed the mascot punched his 13-year-old son in the back during a November photo shoot.
The Flyers downplayed the accusation at the time, noting they had conducted their own investigation and insisting there was "nothing to support" Greenwell's claim.
Gritty became an instant viral sensation after being introduced as the team's mascot before the 2018-19 season.
This is the 10th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we highlight a player on each team who'll need to raise his game for the remainder of the campaign.
1. Washington Capitals (35-13-5)
Previous rank: 1
The Capitals remain the class of the league, but Braden Holtby will have to improve if they want to dominate down the stretch and into the playoffs. The netminder has posted a sub-.900 save percentage on the season, and he's allowed four or more goals in six of his last 10 games.
2. Boston Bruins (31-10-12)
Previous rank: 5
It's been a frustrating campaign for Charlie McAvoy after he signed a three-year extension in September. The young blue-liner still hasn't scored in 2019-20 and is on pace for a career-low 26 points. That output would be especially disappointing considering injuries significantly shortened his two previous seasons.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (32-15-5)
Previous rank: 4
Ryan McDonagh's underlying numbers are solid thanks in large part to the Lightning rounding into form as a team. However, he's simply not producing on the score sheet, managing only 12 points in 46 games after racking up a career-high 46 points across 82 contests in 2018-19.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (33-14-5)
Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 2
Matt Murray's struggles are well-documented, but as long as Tristan Jarry continues to perform, Alex Galchenyuk will remain the Penguins' primary concern. Much was expected of the forward after he was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes for Phil Kessel, but to label him a disappointment would be an understatement.
5. St. Louis Blues (31-14-8)
Previous rank: 3
Jordan Binnington has been fine this season, but fine isn't good enough for a team aiming to defend a championship. The Blues goaltender has a .911 save percentage in 2019-20, but he's authored a mere .879 mark over his last 10 games, surrendering at least four goals in five of those contests.
6. Vancouver Canucks (30-18-5)
Previous rank: 7
Loui Eriksson still hasn't fully found his game. That hasn't stopped the Canucks from leading the Pacific Division, but the $6-million man was acquired in 2016 to score goals, and while he's shown some life lately, he has to give Vancouver more than the five markers and 10 points he's accumulated in 33 contests so far.
7. Toronto Maple Leafs (28-17-7)
Previous rank: 13
Much like Binnington, Frederik Andersen has underachieved in the crease, as the Maple Leafs' starting netminder has produced a less-than-stellar .910 save percentage in 2019-20. Worse yet, he's at just .893 since the calendar flipped to the new year.
8. New York Islanders (29-15-6)
Previous rank: 8
Jordan Eberle has just eight goals so far this season, although five have come in his last nine games. The Islanders will hope Eberle can build on his recent performances in the second half after the winger signed a five-year, $27.5-million contract in the summer.
9. Columbus Blue Jackets (28-16-9)
Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 10
The Blue Jackets have certainly exceeded expectations this season, but Nick Foligno's play has noticeably declined. While he's not typically an elite offensive contributor, the 32-year-old captain has managed only six goals and 22 points in 50 contests, including just two markers and nine points in his last 25 appearances.
10. Colorado Avalanche (28-16-6)
Previous rank: 9
Gabriel Landeskog missed 16 games with an injury earlier this season, so matching his career-high output of 34 goals and 75 points from 2018-19 was always unlikely. However, at his current rate of production - despite showing some life recently - he'd produce only 53 points over 82 contests in 2019-20.
11. Philadelphia Flyers (28-17-7)
Previous rank: 18
Claude Giroux's output dropped to 85 points in 2018-19 after his career-best 34-goal, 102-point explosion two seasons ago, but it's taken a nosedive in 2019-20. The Flyers captain hasn't scored in 11 games and has buried only one goal since the calendar flipped to 2020. He's on pace for just 55 points.
12. Dallas Stars (29-18-4)
Previous rank: 6
One could argue nearly every player outside of the Stars' crease needs to pick his game up, but perhaps no one is more guilty than $78-million pivot Tyler Seguin. The 28-year-old hasn't found the net in 12 games, and with 37 points on the season, he sits tied for 77th in league scoring.
13. Edmonton Oilers (28-18-6)
Previous rank: 14
Nobody expects Alex Chiasson to light the league on fire, but the Oilers are in dire need of depth scoring down the stretch. Chiasson has seen reduced ice time compared to his 22-goal campaign in 2018-19, but the winger is still averaging around two minutes on the power play per game and has the offensive tools to make a difference.
14. Florida Panthers (28-17-5)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 12
Imagine how difficult it would be to beat the Panthers if Sergei Bobrovsky was playing remotely close to his potential. It hasn't quite panned out for the goalie midway through his first season in Sunrise, and for the Panthers to make any serious noise down the stretch, he'll need to get his game on track.
15. Vegas Golden Knights (27-20-7)
Previous rank: 16
Alex Tuch has yet to return to form after missing the first 17 games of the season to injury. With just seven goals through 39 contests, the 6-foot-4 winger must find his rhythm and become the dynamic talent the Golden Knights know him to be.
16. Carolina Hurricanes (30-19-3)
Previous rank: 11
Jake Gardiner hasn't lived up to the four-year, $16.2-million deal he inked with the Hurricanes last summer. The offensive defenseman has only 13 points through 51 games and is a team-worst minus-20. With the long-term absence of Dougie Hamilton, Carolina will need Gardiner to be what they paid him to be.
17. Calgary Flames (27-20-6)
Previous rank: 17
The Flames are desperate for Johnny Gaudreau to get back to his dominant self. Calgary has dropped four of its last six outings, and Gaudreau has contributed just three assists over those games. The 26-year-old has shown flashes of promise, but the consistency just hasn't been there this season.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (25-21-6)
Previous rank: 19
It's hard to believe Alex DeBrincat has only 12 goals through 52 games after netting 41 last season. With the Blackhawks back in the playoff picture, now is the time for the talented winger to rediscover his scoring touch.
19. Arizona Coyotes (26-21-7)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 15
Has anyone seen Phil Kessel? The Coyotes' marquee offseason addition has just one point in his last five games and two goals over his previous 12 as the club continues to slide. The Coyotes appear to be all-in this season after acquiring Taylor Hall, and they'll need Kessel to step up and deliver down the stretch to avoid disaster.
20. Winnipeg Jets (26-23-4)
Previous rank: 20
The Jets' glaring hole on the back end is catching up to them. It's tough to single out one player, so we're going to cheat and say the entire blue line has to improve if the club wants to remain in the playoff race. Winnipeg is allowing the most high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
21. Nashville Predators (24-20-7)
Previous rank: 23
Unfortunately for the Predators, there are many players to choose from. Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene, and Kyle Turris have all drastically underachieved up front. However, the player most capable of sparking a miraculous second-half turnaround is goaltender Pekka Rinne, who is currently posting a career-worst .898 save percentage.
22. New York Rangers (25-21-4)
Previous rank: 21
It's hard to ask for a lot from a teenager at the NHL level, but 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko has been a major disappointment in his rookie season, tallying just 16 points in 46 games. A strong finish would give the 2019 No. 2 pick some much-needed confidence going into the summer.
23. Montreal Canadiens (24-23-7)
Previous rank: 26
Jesperi Kotkaniemi would've been an easy answer for the Canadiens, but the 19-year-old sophomore was sent down to the AHL on Saturday. Another youngster Montreal was counting on, Ryan Poehling, has struggled in his rookie campaign. Poehling scored a hat trick in his NHL debut last season but has managed just one goal in 25 games this year.
24. Buffalo Sabres (23-22-7)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 22
The Sabres are rife with underachievers, but none have disappointed more than Jeff Skinner. He turned a 40-goal 2018-19 season into an eight-year, $72-million contract but has just 11 goals to show for this year.
25. Minnesota Wild (23-22-6)
Previous rank: 25
Matt Dumba must find a way to boost his 2.4 shooting percentage and start finding the net. The talented defenseman showed he can fill the score sheet with 14 goals and 50 points two seasons ago, but Dumba has struggled to return to form after an injury-shortened 2018-19.
26. Anaheim Ducks (21-26-5)
Previous rank: 29
John Gibson was considered one of the league's top goalies entering the 2019-20 campaign. However, he owns a very pedestrian .904 save percentage and his goals saved above average sits at minus-6.
27. San Jose Sharks (22-27-4)
Previous rank: 24
San Jose's season is already a wash, but a big second half from Kevin Labanc would be a positive development moving forward. He's on pace for 16 fewer points than he totaled last year despite seeing a two-minute increase in his average ice time.
28. Ottawa Senators (18-24-10)
Previous rank: 30
The Senators were hoping to see some growth out of 2015 first-round selection Colin White in his second full NHL campaign. White is on pace for just 25 points this season, which would be a 16-point drop-off from one year ago. The 23-year-old needs to step up and prove he's worth the six-year, $28.5-million deal he signed over the summer.
29. New Jersey Devils (18-24-9)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Previous rank: 27
P.K. Subban was brought into New Jersey to lead the defense corps, but he's on pace for a career-low 18 points despite being the league's third-highest paid blue-liner.
30. Los Angeles Kings (19-29-5)
Previous rank: 28
Jonathan Quick is struggling for a second straight season, but strong play down the stretch could potentially make the Kings goaltender tradeable this summer.
31. Detroit Red Wings (12-37-4)
Previous rank: 31
With a record this bad, everyone needs to step up but perhaps none more so than Andreas Athanasiou. The speedster has just five goals in 36 games after potting 30 a year ago.
The Battle of Alberta gifted hockey fans with one of the most exciting occurrences in the sport on Saturday: a goalie fight!
Calgary Flames netminder Cam Talbot and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith highlighted another great chapter in the provincial rivalry with a heated bout that's inspired us to revisit some of the most memorable goalie fights in NHL history.
Felix Potvin vs. Ron Hextall - Nov. 10, 1996
A wild affair between the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs, which included three separate player fights and a fiery altercation between captains Doug Gilmour and Rod Brind'Amour, ended with one of the most spirited goalie bouts ever.
All hell broke loose as time expired in the game, and Hextall immediately joined in on the action. The Flyers netminder skated full-tilt down the ice to engage with Potvin, and the two exchanged a series of heavy blows for a solid 30 seconds before succumbing to exhaustion.
Ray Emery vs. Martin Biron and Andrew Peters: Feb. 22, 2007
One of hockey's ultimate gladiators between the pipes, Ray Emery was never one to back down from a fight. The Ottawa Senators netminder took on all comers on this night in Buffalo.
Midway through the second period, the Buffalo Sabres matched their fourth line with the Senators' top unit. After Andrew Peters went after Ottawa star Dany Heatley, a line brawl erupted, and Emery fled from his crease to take on both Martin Biron and Peters with a grin from ear-to-ear.
Emery's competitive spirit and love of the game will live on forever. R.I.P., Razor.
Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon: March 26, 1997
It's one of the most famous regular-season games in NHL history. The fierce rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche reached its tipping point in late March of 1997, with each netminder taking center stage in a full-out line brawl.
After Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan flew through the air to greet Roy at center ice, the Avalanche puck-stopper got his hands on Mike Vernon, and the goalies squared off in Roy's first tilt with a Detroit counterpart.
Patrick Roy vs. Chris Osgood: April 1, 1998
Roy was at it again just over one year later, but this time with Red Wings netminder Chris Osgood. Similar to the incident a season prior, a line brawl erupted, and Roy jumped at the chance to embrace the chaos.
After exchanging pleasantries with a dog pile of players, Roy noticed Osgood waiting for him at center ice and the rest was history.
Brent Johnson vs. Rick DiPietro: Feb. 2, 2011
The hockey world learned an important lesson on this night in Pittsburgh: Don't mess with Brent Johnson.
The Penguins netminder skated down the ice to greet Islanders' Rick DiPietro with a thunderous left hook that ended what might be the quickest goalie fight in NHL history. Kudos to Johnson for checking in on his fallen opponent after delivering what he knew was a direct blow. Class act.
Jonathan Bernier vs. Ryan Miller: Sept. 22, 2013
Who says preseason hockey is boring? An unlikely spat between then-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel and (All-Star) John Scott, which turned the former into Paul Bunyan, ignited an unforgettable line brawl that ended with Jonathan Bernier and Ryan Miller taking center stage.
Fast forward to Saturday, after the Oilers cranked the Flames 8-3 in a highly emotional game that featured a goalie fight, Draisaitl decided to share his honest opinion about the stick flip.
"It's just disrespectful," he told TSN's Ryan Rishaug postgame. "We hit two posts and he's acting like they just won the Stanley Cup."
Draisaitl got the last laugh, as Rittich was pulled Saturday after allowing four goals, but was forced to re-enter the contest after Cam Talbot was ejected following his scrap with Mike Smith. Rittich proceeded to allow two more goals in the losing effort, while Draisaitl extended his league-leading point total with four assists.
Smith spent the last two seasons as Rittich's teammate in Calgary. He acknowledged that the two have a relationship, but admitted Rittich takes things too far.
Unfortunately, the next installment of the Battle of Alberta won't take place until April 4, the last game of the regular season for each club. Mark your calendars.
