Rinne backstops the DF Fantasy Team of the Week

Here is the third installment of the DailyFaceoff Fantasy Team of the Week. It was an exciting week of hockey including some awesome games on Hockey Day in America. Remember this team will be based off of the usual fantasy scoring categories and players that excelled across the board. Skaters – (G, A, +/-, SOG, GWG, SHG, PPP) Goalies – (W, GAA, SV%, SO)

C – John Tavares – New York Islanders 

Tavares had 81 points in 82 games last season and is on pace to have an evenn better season this year. Following Saturday’s game Tavares has scored a goal in 5 straight contests. This week he and his line-mates Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes played ver well. Tavares notched 5 G, 2 A including 1 game-winning goal, a hat-trick and 5 power-play points. Johnny T also threw a fantastic 16 shots on target in only 3 games (5.33 AVG per game). The only negative about his week was his -1 , but that just comes with the territory when you draft an Islander.

LW – Jiri Tlusty – Carolina Hurricanes

Tlusty is a former first round draft pick but has never really lived up to his potential. However this week alongside Eric Staal and Alexander Semin, Tlusty played spectacularly. He recorded 4 G including a game-winner, 2 A and an awesome +6. He had one power-play point and registered 8 shots on goal in three games. Tlusty started the week owned in only 0.4% of ESPN leagues but is now owned in 79.7%. If he is available in your league he could be a good addition as a C and LW (ESPN). As long as he is playing with Staal and Semin he will be given plenty of chances to produce.

RW – Martin St. Louis – Tampa Bay Lightning

The 37 year-old is showing no signs of slowing down and is currently tied with Sidney Crosby for the league lead in assists (17) and is tied for third in the NHL in scoring with 21 points in 14 games. The Lightning shuffled their lines a bit this week after a rough stretch. St. Louis who is now playing alongside Vincent Lecavalier and Benoit Pouliot scored once on 8 shots on goal to go along with 4 A. He was also a +3 with 2 power-play points in Tampa’s 3 games.

D – Christian Ehrhoff – Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres have been terrible defensively this season but for fantasy purposes they have been helpful. Vanek is one of fantasy’s best forwards this season and Ehrhoff is near the top in defenceman scoring. This week Ehrhoff had 1 G, 3 A, +1 with a game-winning goal and a power-play point. He has always been a good offensive-defenceman so there is no reason why he should slow down, he is a great fantasy option.

D – Joe Corvo – Carolina Hurricanes

Corvo has been in and out of the Hurricanes lineup this season including a recent three game stretch where he was a healthy scratch. It appears as if sitting out those three games has got Corvo back-on-track. Corvo is getting chances to produce as he averaged 18:54 in three games this season and is on Carolina’s second PP-unit. He had a goal and two assists (2 PPP) to go along with a +4 in 3 games this week.

G – Pekka Rinne – Nashville Predators

The goalie for this week’s team was a tough decision so I have to give Viktor Fasth an honorable mention who still has yet to lose this season. However I ultimately went with Rinne who posted two shutouts in a row to start the week. He finished with a 2-0-1 record and an outstanding 0.64 GAA and .970 SV%. Rinne has been the best goalie in the league this season and is rewarding his fantasy owners with some amazing numbers right now.