It was a busy week in the National Hockey League as high-scoring games and lengthy point streaks took center stage (Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Evgeni Malkin has a chance to break Mario Lemieux’s team record 14-game consecutive points streak).
Saturday night was special for a couple of players. Washington Capitals sophomore Nicklas Backstrom exploded for a five-point performance against the New Jersey Devils while Vancouver Canucks Kyle Wellwood quietly scored his seventh goal of the season despite clearing waivers twice earlier this season.
In todays’s Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack, I look at the top three fantasy performances of the week, and the top three bummers of the week.
Top Three Fantasy Performances of the Week
1. G Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks- Stops 63 of 66 shots in two games against Colorado (2-1 shootout loss) and Toronto (4-2 victory) as he improves his record to 4-0-1 (0.59 GAA, .979 Save Percentage) over the team’s last five games.
2. F Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals- As mentioned above, 5 pts. versus Devils on Saturday
3. F Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks- 3 assists during Friday night’s 4-3 loss to Nashville Predators
Top Three Bummers of the Week
1. Tampa Bay Lightning Team- Lose 3-2 to Carolina (SO) in first game after the firing of Barry Melrose.
2. G Cristobal Huet, Chicago Blackhawks- Gives up six goals on 31 shots to high-octane Sharks. Hawks lose despite scoring five goals.
3. D Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks- The Ducks’ minute-munching defenseman gets horrible news as he suffers a season-ending left knee injury in a game against the Nashville Predators.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.
