Hertl was forced from Saturday's game with a head injury, but appears as if he'll be able to play tonight. The rookie sensation currently leads the NHL in goals, so if he plays, he should be in your lineup.
As soon as Smith was moved to a line with Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson he recorded an assist on his first shift. He had just nine points in 37 games with the Stars last season, so he might not become a fantasy option. However, he is worth keeping an eye on him when he is playing with players as skilled as Eriksson and Bergeron.
Hertl, who leads the NHL in goals with seven, received a blow to the shoulder/head area from Ottawa’s Clarke MacArthur with 2:14 to go in the second period. He skated immediately to the dressing room, did not play in the third period, and missed practice on Sunday.
The Senators have a back-to-back tonight and tomorrow so Lehner was going to start one of the two, and the Sens have opted to play him vs. San Jose. He has yet to see any action this season but was 5-3-4 with a 2.20 GAA and .936 SV% last season. If the first four games were any indication, Lehner could be in for a long night vs. the Sharks.
Buy, buy, buy. I'm not expecting Patrick Kane circa-2007-08 season rookie scoring numbers but Hertl is providing the flair and energy that the Sharks haven't seen in years. He's worth a roster spot in everyday leagues to ride while he's hot.
The 17th overall pick in 2012 showed in the preseason that he’s skilled enough to play at an NHL level, scoring three goals and an assist in four games, and his big six-foot-two, 210-pound frame should help him better withstand the rigors of an NHL schedule. “Tomas being my linemate, it’s been a lot of fun,” Thornton said. “Me and Burnzie have been smiling a lot, just enjoying his company out there. I think with getting some young guys in here, it adds a little bit more enthusiasm in the room.” This is a great opportunity for the 19 year old and is worthy of a roster spot in deep leagues.
Since being traded to the Maple Leafs, Kessel has scored 119 goals in four seasons. He has had three 30-goal seasons and 20 goals in the shortened season (on pace for 34). He is a one dimensional player, but it is hard to find a consistent 30-goal scorer so Kessel will remain the centrepiece of the Maple Leafs roster for the next eight years. In seven NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, he has 185 goals and 379 points in 504 games.
At 6-foot-2 and 210 lbs., Hertl is a great skater who is not afraid to go to the dirty areas and put the puck in the net. Skating on a line with Joe Thornton and Brent Burns all preseason Hertl has scored three goals with one assist and is a plus-3 in three games. Should he make the roster and stick in the San Jose top-six, he will become fantasy relevant. Keep his name in mind towards the end of your draft.
Kessel was suspended for the multiple slashes he landed on Sabres toughguy John Scott in Sunday's line brawl. This is great news for Maple Leafs fans and Kessel owners.
Theodore was the 26th overall pick in the NHL draft last June. He has one assist in his first three preseason games with Anaheim during training camp. He played more than 22 minutes Sunday against Colorado, leading all Ducks in ice time. Theodore scored 50 points in 71 games with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds last season. He also played for Canada at the under-18 world championships.
The 25-year-old landed a pair of two-handed slashes on Scott after he dropped his gloves to initiate a fight in the third period of Sunday’s exhibition.
“I’m a born winger,” Saad said. He struggled in the faceoff circle going 9 for 38 in his two games at center, so he was back on the wing on Sunday. Saad likely will play on the third line, where he spent most of the playoffs. “He’s playing on your top two [lines], then all of a sudden if he plays on your third line, that line is a very dangerous line offensively,” Quenneville said.
Pietrangelo, 23, dressed in 47 games last season, leading the Blues’ defense with 24 points (five goals and 19 assists) while ranking 13th in ice time per game (25:06) among all National Hockey League (NHL) defensemen. Since his first full season in 2010, Pietrangelo is tied for sixth among all defensemen in points (118), ranks 10th in goals (28), tied for ninth in assists (90) and slots 15th in plus/minus (+34) while he became the youngest defenseman in Blues history to record back-to-back 40-plus point seasons in 2010-11 (43) and 2011-12 (51).
Smith does not expect to have any fantasy significance.
Senators coach Paul MacLean wanted a bigger body around the opposing net -- something the 6-foot-2, 188-pound Stone can provide. Due to his previous experience with Spezza, Stone is expected to flank the veteran center on the right, with Milan Michalek skating on the left. The move has made Cory Conacher the odd-man out. Stone had 38 points in 54 games in the AHL this season.
It will be Lehner's first start since April 11th when he allowed just one tally in a win over the Flyers. The Sens will take on the Penguins in the first round if they can't beat the Bruins tonight. If they win they will move to seventh and take on Montreal. Lehner could make for an OK start.
It was not previously reported but Saad will also be out of the lineup tonight.
Anderson starts Saturday against the Flyers
