Fantasy Hockey: Championship round tip sheet

Congratulations. You’ve made it to the championship round in your fantasy hockey league. It’s been a great season. Now you have to win the next two weeks and seal the deal.

Here are some tips/player advice to help guide you.

1. It’s All About the Games: If you are going to pick up free agents off the waiver wire, make sure you target players that have full schedules in the next two weeks.  Target players who teams have four or more games remaining on the schedule.

2. Plan for Injuries: It’s that time of year when you see the dreaded DTD next to a players name. Day to day could mean your player is literally day to day or he could be out for two weeks. Either way, monitor the player’s status and put replacements on your watch list. Remember, you are not competing with as many people on the waiver wire this time of year so getting players is easier.

3. Load Up on Forwards: Load up offensively. Don’t carry more than five defensemen. The more available forwards you have that you can match up, the better.

4. Play One Goalie If Possible: Don’t be greedy. Play one goalie. I know what you are thinking. Two goalies can get me more points. True but play one because two goalies could also cost you more points and points are at a premium this time of year.

5. Five Players to Target On the Wire (Based on ESPN ownership)

Joe Thornton, F, Sharks (Owned in 57.2% of leagues): Thornton has been terrific down the stretch for the Sharks. He has points in four of last his last five games and is starting to look like the imposing centerman he has been his entire career. Thornton is playing over 15 minutes a night.

Carl Soderberg, F, Avalanche (Owned in 36.9% of leagues): The Avalanche have struggled offensively since the all-star break. Soderberg has been the one constant for them. With points in four of his last six games, Soderberg is a worthy pick up because he plays 17 minutes a night and is on the Avalanche second power play unit. There are plenty of scoring opportunities for him.

J.T Miller, F, Lightning (Owned in 64% of leagues): Miller doesn’t get the attention his other teammates do but he has had a nice season offensively scoring 12 goals and dishing out 31 assists on the Lightning third line. Miller is a +9 which speaks to how effective an all around player he is.

Alex Edler, D, Canucks (Owned in 50.7 % of leagues): Edler has had a terrific season despite missing time with injuries. Edler has scored 10 goals and has 21 assists on the season. He plays over 24 minutes a night so you know the minutes are there for him to produce.

David Rittich, G, Flames (Owned in 50.7% of leagues): Rittich has a 26-8 record this season with a goals against average of 2.62. Rittich is still in half the leagues in ESPN and worthy add in the playoffs.

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