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Three Stars of the Week: Nov. 9-15
Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
  Setoguchi has relapse with injury
Devin Setoguchi, RW SJ
News: The Sports Xchange reports Sharks RW Devin Setoguchi (lower-body injury) suffered a relapse in Chicago on Sunday of the leg injury that kept him out of seven games earlier. He will be out indefinitely. He missed a second straight game on Friday against the Flyers.
Analysis: All along the Sharks held this to be a minor ailment, but it has become a real nuisance for Setoguchi. It has cut into his production and ice time. Setoguchi can be a high-end Fantasy option when healthy since he plays on a line with Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton. However, he should be kept reserved in Fantasy until further notice.
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 D. Sedin expected back Sunday
Daniel Sedin, LW VAN
News: Vancouver LW Daniel Sedin, the team's leading goal scorer the last three seasons, is expected to return Sunday against Chicago. He has been out for 18 games due to a broken foot.
Analysis: Sedin's twin brother Henrik has been eager to see his brother return to the lineup, but we aren't sure why since Henrik has been great in his absence. But, the more scorers the better for the Canucks. Daniel is going to return to his spot as one of the Canucks' top offensive players and must-start Fantasy option. Get ready to activate him for Week 8 (Nov. 23-29).
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Liles has two assists in return
John-Michael Liles, D COL
News: The Colorado Avalanche activated rookie forward T.J. Galiardi and defenseman John-Michael Liles from the injured reserve list on Friday. Liles missed five games after injuring his shoulder Nov. 6 against Chicago. He played Friday against the Canucks and had two assists in 16:42 of ice time.
Analysis: Liles has been bothered by a shoulder injury for most of the young season. But when he has been healthy, he has produced seven points in 11 games. Liles is definitely a player worth starting in Fantasy when healthy. Get him back in lineups for Week 8 (Nov. 23-29).
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Stillman to 'be out a while'
Cory Stillman, LW FLA
News: Florida LW Cory Stillman had to be helped off the ice after taking a hit from Brad Stuart along the boards and didn't return on Friday against the Red Wings. "Stillman's got a knee injury and is going to be out a while," head coach Peter DeBoer said. Stillman had no points in 6:55 of ice time.
Analysis: Why does this always play out like this. Stillman is on a heck of a run with six goals and 10 points in his last nine games and finally garnering some Fantasy attention. Then, a nasty injury pops up and puts him on the back burner. DeBoer doesn't sound too positive about Stillman's injury, so keep him reserved in Fantasy until further notice.
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Osgood loses in return Friday
Chris Osgood, G DET
News: Red Wings G Chris Osgood returned to the lineup on Friday against the Panthers after missing three games with the flu. Osgood made 18 saves, but he lost the game as Bryan McCabe scored 40 seconds into overtime, lifting Florida to a 2-1 victory. McCabe beat Osgood with a one-timed shot from the right circle for his third of the season, converting Stephen Weiss' pass. "We just couldn't get the puck in, couldn't score," Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We battled hard. The puck just wouldn't go in."
Analysis: Osgood has lost his last two outings after winning three in a row. Still, he played well enough in his return to pick up a win. He didn't look slowed down by any lingering effects of the flu. It's safe to get Osgood back in the lineup for Week 8 (Nov. 23-29) as a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy goalie. The Red Wings TG is a high-end option.
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Burns held out with illness
Brent Burns, D MIN
News: Wild D Brent Burns missed Friday's game against the Islanders because of an undisclosed illness. He is day to day.
Analysis: The good news for Burns is that Minnesota is not back in action until Wednesday against Boston, so he has plenty of time to recover. Burns has been one of the Wild's best offensive blueliners with two goals and 10 points in 21 games. Coach Todd Richards has said Burns is the lifeline of the blue line and the team's success hinges a lot on what he does. Burns has the ability to be a high-end Fantasy option, but is more of a No. 4 or No. 5 defenseman until his numbers start to jump off the page.
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Gomez unable to finish Friday
Scott Gomez, C MON
News: Montreal center Scott Gomez sustained a lower body injury, and Travis Moen had an undisclosed injury during Friday's game against the Capitals. Head coach Jacques Martin said he had no word yet on either player, and that both would be evaluated Saturday. Gomez had no points in 15:17 of ice time, while Moen scored a goal and finished at plus-1 in 19:36 of ice time.
Analysis: This injury just mounts to the problems Gomez has had on the ice in November. He has no goals and two assists in eight games this month. His play has definitely tailed off and Gomez is looking like the same inconsistent center we saw in New York. Gomez can be a viable Fantasy forward when healthy, but he is more of a No. 4 or No. 5 option until he gets back on track.
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Zubrus (leg) out 4-6 weeks
Dainius Zubrus, C NJ
News: The Bergen Record reports that Devils C Dainius Zubrus is out 4-6 weeks with a leg injury he suffered on Thursday.
Analysis: Zubrus had a couple of nice Fantasy seasons a few years ago, but averaged just 39 points in his first two seasons with New Jersey. He is more of a low-end Fantasy option in deeper leagues when healthy, so don't hold on to him during this lay off if you can't afford to.
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Dorsett out for a few games
Derek Dorsett, RW CLB
News: The Blue Jackets' official Web site reports that RW Derek Dorsett will miss the final four games of Columbus' current road trip. Dorsett's head collided with the boards Thursday following a nasty check from Dallas' James Neal, who was suspended two games for the hit.
Analysis: Dorsett is usually the one throwing his weight around the ice, but sometimes even the enforcers get physically punished on occasion. Dorsett seemed temporarily dazed after the hit and then collapsed to the ice. Hopefully he doesn't suffer any long-lasting issues from this incident. Be sure to bench him in the deeper PIM-rewarding leagues that his value lies in.
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 Neal suspended two games for hit
James Neal, LW DAL
News: The NHL has suspended Stars LW James Neal two games for his hit on Blue Jackets RW Derek Dorsett.
Analysis: Neal has 22 points in 19 games this season, so his absence will certainly hurt a few Fantasy players in Week 7 (Nov. 16-22). Luckily, the Stars play four times in Fantasy Week 8 (Nov. 23-29), so Neal will still be worth using in all formats for the scoring period.
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Thornton breaks 600 career helpers
Joe Thornton, C SJ
News: Dany Heatley scored three times, Joe Thornton recorded his 600th NHL assist, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Friday. Thornton, who had points on each of Heatley's goals, earned four assists. He matched his franchise record, and has 30 points this season.
Analysis: Thornton has a league-best 24 assists. A lot his production has come thanks to Heatley, but it's not like we are complaining. Once Devin Setoguchi gets back from a leg injury, Thornton's numbers might even improve that much more. Continue to start Thornton in all Fantasy formats.
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Heatley has 9th career hat trick
Dany Heatley, LW SJ
News: Dany Heatley scored three times, Joe Thornton recorded his 600th NHL assist, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Friday. Heatley notched his second hat trick of the season, and the ninth of his career. Heatley helped create his first goal after picking up a loose puck along the boards and dishing it to Thornton before skating to the net. Thornton split two defenders and put the puck on Heatley's stick in front of an open net 50 seconds into the middle period. Heatley's short-handed goal 8:41 into the third period was a near duplicate. He completed his hat trick and gave the Sharks a 5-3 lead with a power-play goal with 7:16 left in the game.
Analysis: Heatley leads the NHL with 17 goals and has been a perfect fit for Todd McLellan's fast-paced system. Heatley does deserve some criticism for demanding a trade out of Ottawa, but he just didn't feel like a perfect fit for Cory Clouston's system. He is in a good place with San Jose and it shows in his numbers. Heatley remains a must-start Fantasy option.
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Nabokov earns another W over Flyers
Evgeni Nabokov, G SJ
News: Sharks G Evgeni Nabokov stopped 27 shots and improved to 6-0-2 against the Flyers during a 6-3 win on Friday. Nabokov was in a tightly-contested game until San Jose scored twice in the final eight minutes to seal the win. Nabokov is 4-0-3 in his last seven outings.
Analysis: Nabokov hasn't been able to put together a strong winning streak in November, but at least he hasn't gone into a slump. Coach Todd McLellan is trying to give Nabokov some nights off, so he doesn't wear down as the season progresses. There is a good chance Nabokov plays for Team Russia in the Olympics. He is still going to start plenty, so treat him as a No. 1 Fantasy goalie. The Sharks TG is also a high-end option.
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Emery gives up six goals in loss
Ray Emery, G PHI
News: Flyers G Ray Emery made 23 saves during a 6-3 loss to the Sharks on Friday. Emery was locked in a pretty good battle until San Jose broke open a 4-3 game with two goals in the final eight minutes. Emery has lost two of his last three starts.
Analysis: Emery hasn't had many poor nights in his return to the NHL. He has 11 wins for the Flyers and came into Friday with a 2.22 GAA. He has definitely established his role in net for Philly, but he remains more of a No. 2 Fantasy goalie. The Flyers TG pretty much goes as Emery does.
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Staubitz out with facial injury
Brad Staubitz, RW SJ
News: The Sports Xchange reports Sharks forward Brad Staubitz (facial injury) got hit by a puck below the right eye in practice on Monday and didn't play Tuesday in Nashville or Friday against the Flyers. His time away is undetermined.
Analysis: Staubitz has totaled three points in his first 15 games, but he is not on the ice for his offense. Staubitz is pretty much added muscle for San Jose and is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM when healthy.
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Anderson loses game in final frame
Craig Anderson, G COL
News: Avalanche G Craig Anderson suffered a second loss to the Canucks in his last three starts on Friday. Anderson, pulled after giving up four goals in last Saturday's loss to Vancouver, made 23 saves in a 5-2 loss as the Avalanche fell to 1-4-1 in their last six games. Colorado built a 2-0 lead after one period before Vancouver scored five unanswered goals, including four in the third period. Anderson allowed three power-play scores.
Analysis: After such a great start, it's tough to see Anderson struggling the way he has been. But then again, we shouldn't be shocked since Colorado was playing well above their potential. We figure Anderson is going to settle into being a No. 2 Fantasy goalie in the long run, as is the Avs TG.
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