Fantasy Hockey Starts, Sits: Analyzing Tough Decisions On Second-Tier Players

Editor?s Note: This fantasy hockey feature will run each Monday on NESN.com. It will showcase which players fantasy owners should sit and start on their team. We also will post a weekly fantasy recap each Sunday highlighting the stars, duds and best waiver wire pickups.

One of the keys to winning your fantasy hockey league is finding the second-tier of players who receive top-six minutes (or top-four for defensemen), power-play ice time and have talented linemates who will increase their scoring production.

Quality depth is just as important in fantasy hockey as it is in real life. Let?s take a look at some second-tier players to start and sit this week.

Starts
Elias Lindholm, Center, Carolina Hurricanes: After an average rookie campaign, the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft now is a trustworthy option for fantasy owners. Lindholm has eight points (six goals, two assists) in his last nine games. He also has two favorable matchups this week against the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.

Marcus Johansson, Center, Washington Capitals: Johansson is a good second-tier center for fantasy owners looking to add more goal scoring to their lineup. The veteran center has scored eight goals with four assists in 17 games, and his scoring production should continue to impress with favorable matchups against the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres this week.

Jussi Jokinen, Center, Florida Panthers: Jokinen is playing a top-six role and receiving power-play ice time on a Panthers team with emerging young talent. He also has a three-game point streak with five assists in that span. Jokinen should be started by fantasy owners who need assists, a good plus/minus and a better faceoff percentage.

Brad Marchand, Left Wing, Boston Bruins: Marchand wasn’t a good fantasy option early in the season, but he’s improved over the last eight games with eight points (four goals, four assists) in that span. He’s also receiving consistent power-play ice time and his linemates Patrice Bergeron and Reilly Smith also are starting to raise their performances.

Other Players To Start This Week: Cam Atkinson (CBJ), Nick Bjugstad (FLA), Shane Doan (PHX), Jonathan Drouin (TBL), Pascal Dupuis (PIT), Jeff Skinner (CAR), Aaron Ekblad (FLA), David Savard (CBJ), Ondrej Pavelec (WPG), Braden Holtby (WSH)

Sits
Thomas Vanek, Right Wing, Minnesota Wild: Vanek has a seven-game goalless drought with only two assists and a minus-5 rating in that span. His nine assists are a good number for fantasy owners, but the veteran forward’s lack of goal scoring (one goal in 17 games) and power-play production (one point) is a real concern. Fantasy owners should look for more reliable forwards to start this week.

Dustin Byfuglien, Winger/Defenseman, Winnipeg Jets: Byfuglien has scored just two goals with four assists this season. He also has a 13-game goalless drought with only three assists in that span. Byfuglien’s lineup versatility makes him a valuable option in fantasy leagues, but he needs to show more consistency offensively before owners should start him regularly.

Jacob Trouba, Defenseman, Winnipeg Jets: Trouba was the best all-around defenseman among rookies last season, but he’s struggled to provide fantasy owners with enough offensive production in 2014-15. He’s posted three points in 19 games and has scored just one goal with a single assist in his last 10 contests. Trouba should not be started by fantasy owners lacking scoring from the defensemen spots in their lineup. With that said, he should not be dropped to the waiver wire (especially in keeper/dynasty leagues).

Mike Smith, Goaltender, Arizona Coyotes: Smith has struggled this season with a 4-9-0 record, a .889 save percentage and a 3.43 goals against average. He’s lost his last two starts and gave up a combined nine goals in those games (seven at even strength). Smith is not a trustworthy option for fantasy owners right now.

Other Players To Sit This Week: Valeri Nichushkin (DAL), Milan Lucic (BOS), Alexander Semin (CAR), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Kari Lehtonen (DAL)

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images