With just five goals scored in their last five games, the Nashville Predators aren’t exactly tearing up the fantasy hockey leagues right now (well, except for Pekka Rinne, who has played well of late). At this point in the season, however, it’s hard to pick quality performers off the waiver wire, so your lineup decisions provide most of your available maneuvering room.
So who’s worth starting and who needs to hit the fantasy bench for the Nashville Predators? Just follow after the jump…
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J.P.’s disappointing season continues as he’s working on a 6-game scoreless streak which has seen him put just 4 shots on goal. With all the offensive woes surrounding this team, it’s telling that he hasn’t gotten a chance to work on a top scoring line or power play unit by now. Status: Drop Him
He’s played 8 games now since returning to the lineup, but has just two goals and one assist over that time. His defensive responsibility means he’ll continue to get major ice time, but he remains maddeningly stubborn to drive the net and create scoring chances. But that’s just Marty being Marty, you should know that by now. Status: Good To Go
Another Pred whose scoring touch has left him (7 games now without a point), Franson took a stick to the throat and left Saturday night’s game against the Rangers, but was released from the hospital that evening and shouldn’t miss any time. Status: Good To Go
Having jumped two spots on the depth chart due to injury, Goc is getting more opportunity than he’s used to offensively, but keep an eye out for when David Legwand returns, which should reduce Goc’s ice time back to 15-16 minutes a night, rather than 20+ lately. Status: Short-Term Sleeper
Hornqvist owners must be getting frustrated at the lack of scoring here, but the bright side is that he’s continuing to put shots on net, with 31 over his last nine games, despite no goals. That kind of effort keeps him in the mix, so it’s entirely possible that he could resume lighting the lamp at any moment. Status: Good To Go
His “day-to-day” lower body injury has now lasted more than a week, and the team has put him on Injured Reserve. If you have him on your fantasy team, hopefully you can stash him on the DL until he’s proven that he’s back up to speed in a game or two. Status: Out Of The Lineup
I’ll just copy what I wrote last week:
No news is probably bad news for any hope of Lombo playing soon. We have yet to hear if he’s even been cleared to start exercising, as he gets re-examined each week. At this rate, I personally don’t expect to see him play for the rest of the calendar year. That’s not inside scoop here, just speculation based on how long he’s been out, and how long he’d need to get back in shape. Status: Out Of The Lineup
Another Nashville playmaker going through a drought (scoreless in his last five), O’Reilly is hurt by Hornqvist’s lack of puck-luck lately. He’s the best thing they have going up the middle, however, so he’ll get every chance to put some points up every night. Status: Good To Go
Pekka’s back on another streak of solid play, but the lack of run support is keeping him out of the Win column. If your league credits Saves and/or Save Percentage, he’s a solid contributor, and he has a decent shot at pitching a shutout occasionally. With a back-to-back coming up Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s possible he could yield a start to Anders Lindback, so keep an eye out on those days. Status: Good To Go
Should we be down on Sully’s 41-point pace, or thrilled that he’s the Preds’ leading goal scorer? With no significant scoring threats behind them, the Sullivan-O’Reilly-Hornqvist line is drawing maximum attention from opposing shutdown lines, and that’s dragging Sully’s numbers down just like his linemates. That said, he leads the Nashville forwards in average ice time and gets featured in every conceivable way offensively. Status: Good To Go
Suter is back in the lineup once again, and after a shaky game at Minnesota looked very solid against the Rangers on Saturday night. If he can restore the top defensive pairing to elite status, that could help the forwards out considerably. Status: Good To Go
Criticism is starting to come from around the league over Shea’s underwhelming start, but the reason for optimism here is that he’s got Ryan Suter back alongside him on the blueline. He is, of course, playing a ton in all situations and will hopefully get rolling soon. Status: Good To Go
Colin has teased lately with a goal and an assist in recent games, and has even seen a bump in ice time lately. That said, he is by no means a lock for a regular spot even on Nashville’s patchwork 2nd scoring line, or power play unit. Until we are assured that he’s earned a major role on this team, don’t rely upon him to contribute. Status: Caution (Ice Time)
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