Ahead of our Week 13 fantasy hockey selections, let’s take a quick look back at Week 12 and see how we did in predicting success for your team:
Fantasy Hockey: Recapping Week 12 Studs, Duds, and Sleepers
Drake Batherson – Stud
Batherson continued to do what most players have not figured out how to do: be productive against the Boston Bruins league’s best defence. In total, he had four assists in three games thus far. His point streak continues as well, now sitting at 13 games. He added a power-play point and dished out ten hits. With a game still to play Sunday evening, the only thing he has not done is score a goal this week. Regardless of what happens in that game, Batherson did exactly what we thought he could do.
Self-grade: A
Zach Hyman – Stud
His four-game point streak ended yesterday in a loss to the Winnipeg Jets. That is the only negative mark for Hyman. He gave fantasy hockey owners two power-play goals, one power-play assist, and an even-strength helper. He did not shoot as much as he has been lately, but apparently, he did not need to. We also mentioned that he is not a player who will light up your banger categories. While it wasn’t much, the two hits and a block are just bonuses. Once again, Hyman did exactly what we thought he could and then some.
Self-grade: A+
Ville Husso – Dud
Husso gave fantasy hockey owners one game this week. If you are in a points league, he may have given you negative points. He was pulled in that start in the first period after surrendering four goals on twelve shots. That is now four straight games where he has allowed at least four goals. We let you know that there would be better goalie options for you. As it turns out, not starting anybody was a better option. He is currently out with an illness, so there is no telling if he gets any starts this coming week. But until he figures things out, you again will have better options, regardless.
Self-grade: A+
Filip Forsberg – Dud
Whoops. To be fair, we don’t think anybody saw this coming, not even himself. He went into the week with two goals in his last 14 games and only nine on the year. He added 50% to that total with five goals, two assists, and two of those points on the power play. The one opponent in the Anaheim Ducks we thought could be an outlier and perhaps pick up some points. We did not see him scoring four combined goals against top defending teams of the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. Perhaps this is the turning point for Forsberg.
Self-grade: F
Jordan Staal – Sleeper
The return of Sebastian Aho did lower the ice time for Staal, which we knew was going to happen. We thought the confidence would make Staal a continued fantasy hockey option. We also saw favourable matchups. None of that translated to anything overly valuable. In two games thus far, he picked up an assist but completely fell off in the banger categories. There is still one game for Staal on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, who he scored on last week. But unless he has a ridiculous game, it was a bad week for fantasy hockey value. This sleeper went back to sleep.
Self-grade: D (perhaps a B with a goal on Sunday)
Scott Laughton – Sleeper
The angle with Laughton was that he performs better on the road. He has also been a special teams darling for fantasy hockey owners. He just needed to slip in a bit more on even strength, and this could be a great depth option. He added his power-play goal, as we predicted. He then added two even-strength assists. Take a couple of extra banger category tallies as well, and this was one of the better-depth fantasy hockey skaters in the league last week. He is still widely available as well. This is your bonus pick for this coming week.
Self-grade: A
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