DAILY PRIME - JANUARY 31, 2013: UPDATES & IN THE SLOT

UPDATES: INJURIES-Ottawa Senator Jason Spezza will miss at least 2 months as he will have surgery on his back...Calgary Flames Sven Baertschi is considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury...

 

***IN THE SLOT*** FANTASY RECAP OF THE NHL NIGHT IN ACTION

 

MONTREAL1  @ OTTAWA 5

40-year old Daniel Alfredsson continues to defy Father Time by scoring the game-winning goal, his first of the season, in the 5-1 rout of Montreal. With Jason Spezza missing time, “Alfie” has even more fantasy value as he has been promoted to the top line alongside Kyle Turris and Milan Michalek.  He could make for a great short-term pickup if Spezza is out an extended period of time.. Goalie Craig Anderson saved 31 of 32 shots to keep his GAA under a goal a game after 6 starts. Ride him until he falters. He could also make for a great “sell-high” candidate. He could fetch you a great return in a trade, so keep that option open. His hot streak will not last forever.

 

CHICAGO 2 @ MINNESOTA 3

Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was the fantasy star of the game, after saving all 28 shots in relief of Josh Harding. His numbers now stand at 3-1-1 with a 2.40 GAA and a .910 SP. Considering that Minnesota looks like the real deal, Backstrom is a borderline top-ten fantasy option, but always flies under the radar. He could be a reasonable trade target, but explore your options now before the word gets out.. SLEEPER ALERT.. defenseman Tom Gilbert has six points in seven games and has outscored the more heralded Ryan Suter. Watch this guy. For more on Gilbert and other fantasy defenseman moving up the charts, make sure you read IN STEVE’S DEFENSE tonight.

 

EDMONTON 2 @ PHOENIX 1 OT

Rookie Nail Yakupov continues to make noise for Edmonton, scoring his 4th goal of the season and his 2nd OT game-winner. While fellow Oiler rookie Justin Schultz was generating all the early headlines, do not discount Yakupov in the Calder Trophy conversation.. Keep your eye on goalie Devan Dubnyk. After another outstanding performance against Phoenix, he has allowed only two goals in the last two games. His overall stats read 4-2 with a 2.75 GAA, so not very impressive yet. If somehow he is still available in your pool, get him ASAP. The Oilers are looking more and more legit..

 

COLORADO 0 @ VANCOUVER 3

The goaltending controversy stiffens in Vancouver, as Roberto Luongo turns in another masterful effort by stopping all 24 Colorado shots in a 3-0 shutout victory. Luongo now is 1-0-2 with a 1.61 GAA and a 9.38 SP. Very frustrating situation for both Luongo and Cory Schneider owners, as the timeshare will continue in the crease until Schneider turns his game around. Only then will Luongo possibly be traded.