landsharkhockey

36 Years Old • Male

Fantasy Planner - Week 12

Welcome to week 12 of the Fantasy Planner, getting you ready for next week's fantasy hockey action. (12/21 through 12/27).

Week 12 Matchups
Teams with 4 Games: Buffalo, Chicago, NY Isles, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Toronto
Teams with 2 Games: Calgary, Detroit, NJ, Washington
Teams with 1 Game: LA

L.A. is enjoying a nice Christmas break next week, with just one away game to speak of, so you may want to pull back on your Kings this week.

The most favorable matchups belong to the Islanders (4 games / 3 home) and Toronto (4 games / 2 home).

Who's Hot

The Sedins (F - VAN) - Henrik and Daniel are in full force right now, averaging 2 points a game each over the past 2 weeks. Henrik is even challenging for the lead in scoring for the first time in his career.

Joni Pitkanen (D - CAR) - Pitkanen is all over the board this year, and throughout his career for that matter. He's on a hot streak right now with 8 points in his last 6 games. He may be available in your league, given his injury problems and cold streak in November.

Brian Elliot (G - OTT) - Elliot is getting hot just when Leclaire is threatening to take his job back. Should make for an interesting debate in Ottawa when Leclaire is cleared to play this week. Elliot's won 4 of his last 6 starts, with 2 shutouts. May be worth playing him for one more week and see what happens.

Who's Cold

Milan Michalek (F - OTT) - Michalek is becoming one of the hardest fantasy players to predict. He was on first in mid November, but he's been the coldest player north of the border in December. He has just one lousy point in the last 8 games, and is a -8 over that span. Time to look for better options.

Brooks Laich (F - WAS) - Really, Laich was playing above his level earlier in the season when he was up among the league leaders. He's returned to the real world lately, as he has gone pointless in 5 contests.

Brett Clark (D - COL) - Clark surprised many with his strong start to the season. He's without a point in December, and his streak actually goes back 11 games. If you're still holding on to him, please write a 3 page essay explaining why. I'll need that on my desk by morning.

Waiver Watch
Here are a few other names who may be available in your league and are worth a look:

Ray Whitney (F - CAR) - Because of his (and all of Carolina's) miserable start, many GMs dropped Whitney in the past month. Well, the team is starting to turn things around, as is the Wizard. He as 4 goals and 7 points in 5 games this month, as he's been united with Mr. Staal. If he's out there, make him yours.

Francois Beauchemin (D - TOR) - Beauchemin isn't known as a scoring machine, but his numbers in December may start to change that perception. He has 8 points in 9 games this month and is the go-to guy for the Leafs on defense right now.

Andrei Kostitsyn (F - MON)
I generally don't recommend picking up Canadiens this season, but it's hard to ignore what this Kostitsyn is doing lately. He's carrying the load for Montreal, and has 15 points in his last 13 games, playing on the big line with Cammalleri.

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