This weeks honorable mention goes to Alex Kovalev of the Ottawa Senators. Last week Kovalev scored 3 goals and had 4 assists for 7 points with 3 of those points coming while on the power play. He also had zero penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-2, had 14 shots on goal and one game winning goal. Alex got off to a terrible start to say the least, has bouned around from team-to-team via waivers in my one league quite a few times, but has 11 points in his last 10 games and is a big reason for the Sens recent success.

Lets take a look at the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars for Week 19.

3rd Star – Chris Mason (G), St.Louis Blues

Despite the arrival of Ty Conklin in St.Louis this past offseason Chris Mason has remained the team’s #1 goaltender has been playing solid so far. Last week Mason collected 3 wins while posting a 1.90 GAA, .943 SAV%, made 100 saves and one shutout. Although the Blues haven’t been playing as well as some people thought they would so far this season Chris is still putting up solid numbers with 20 wins, .912 SAV%, 2.53 GAA and two shutouts.

2nd Star – Marty Turco (G), Dallas Stars

Just like the Blues, the Stars haven’t had as much success as originally thought, but unlike Chris Mason, some of the blame for Dallas’ failures can be put on the shoulders of Marty Turco. Last week Turco collected two wins while posting a 1.30 GAA, .965 SAV%, made 110 saves and one shutout. As mentioned Marty has struggled so far this season and there are rumours that the Stars are looking to trade him before the trade deadline after the Olympics finish. If he is traded, consider picking him up/trading for him as it might act as a resurrection for Turco ala Jean-Sebastien Giguere in Toronto.

1st Star – Steven Stamkos (C), Tampa Bay Lightning

Someone forgot to tell Steven Stamkos that you’re supposed to flourish in your rookie season then suffer the “Sophomore Slump” the next, because Steven seems to be doing the opposite. Last week Stamkos scored 3 goals and added 6 assists for 9 points with 3 of those points coming while on the power play. He also had zero penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-4, had 10 shots on goal and won 29 faceoffs. With 70 points (35 goals & 35 assists) already heading into the Olympic break Stamkos looks poised for 90+ points this season which is quite the feat considering he had just 46 points in his rookie season last year. I think it’s pretty obvious, but I’ll say it anyways, this guy is a stud!

Remember to check back in next week to see who the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars will be for Week 20.

This weeks honorable mention goes to Chris Mason of the St.Louis Blues. Last week Mason collected two wins while posting a 1.50 GAA, .950 SAV%, zero shutouts and also made 57 saves. Last year Chris established himself as a legit fantasy goaltender and while he hasn’t had the great start to the season he is still a decent option in net with a young Blues team infront of him that’s due to start climbing up the standings soon.

Lets take a look at the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars for Week 8.

3rd Star – Carey Price (G), Montreal Canadiens

After coming back from his injury last year Carey Price didn’t seem like the same goaltender that won over the
hearts of Habs fans everywhere his first season in the league taking over from Cristobal Huet. Carey seems to be
regaining that rookie season form after collecting two wins while posting a 1.90 GAA, .940SAV%, zero shutouts and
making 94 saves. Even though he had a good start to the season Price ended up in the doghouse for a couple of games
which seems to have woken him up as he’s now played solid for the last two weeks. He isn’t out of the woods just
yet but appears headed in the right direction. If you’re looking for some goaltending help or depth, consider Price
as a low risk high reward option as you probably wont have to give up a lot to get him.

2nd Star – Kristian Huselius (LW), Columbus Blue Jackets

After two strong 60+ point seasons in Calgary Kristian Huselius struggled a bit in his first season in Columbus
totaling 56 points with just 14 power play points. However, he’s looking good so far this season as he scored two
goals and added 3 assists for 5 points with four of those points coming on the power play. Kristian also had zero
penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-1, 12 shots on goal and one game winning goal. Huselius isn’t a sexy
name that jumps out at you but he has been a solid fantasy option in the past and with 16 points in 17 games so far
this season seems to be on pace for another underrated solid season. If you’re struggling at the LW position
consider trying to trade for him to give you some nice depth.

1st Star – Joe Thornton (C), San Jose Sharks

Jumbo Joe Thornton has quietly gotten off to a great start so far this year as he’s really seemed to click with
his new linemate Dany Heatley. Last week Thornton potted two goals with 6 helpers for 8 points with 2 of those
points coming while on the power play. He also had two penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-3, 11 shots on
goal, one game winning goal and won 30 faceoffs. Althoug he had a sub-par year for his stanards last season, Joe
still averaged over a point a game and is well on pace for another 100+ point season this year. Just a pure fantasy
stud, plain and simple.

Remember to check back in next week to see who the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars will be for Week 9.

This week’s honorable mention goes to Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last week Rick netted 2 goals and had 5 helpers for 7 points with 3 of those points coming while on the power play. He also registered 18 shots on goal and a plus/minus rating of plus-3. Nash is a top 10 fantasy LW and at the young age of 24 could easily become a top 5 in the next 2-3 years.

Lets take a look at the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars for Week 25.

3rd Star – Henrik Sedin (C), Vancouver Canucks

Since the lockout the Sedin twins have proven that they are true 1st line forwards and Henrik Sedin has become a great setup man and playmaker. Last week Henrik netted 3 goals and added 6 assists for 9 points with 2 of those points coming on the power play. He also registered 9 shots on goal, 2 penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-7 and one game winning goal.

2nd Star – Daniel Sedin (LW), Vancouver Canucks

As mentioned above Henrik Sedin has become a great playmaker and the player who’s benefited the most…surprise surprise, his brother Daniel Sedin. Last week Daniel posted 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points with 3 of those points coming while on the power play. He also registered 12 shots on goal, 4 penalty minutes, a plus/minus rating of plus-5 and two game winning goals. The Sedins have had a great season and should continue that trend next season no matter where they end up signing in the summer.

1st Star – Chris Mason (G), St.Louis Blues

Even though he wont get any consideration for the Hart Trophy, Chris Mason has definitely been the Blues’ MVP this season and is the main reason why they’re right in the middle of the playoff race in the West. Last week Chris recorded 4 wins while posting a 1.72 GAA, .930 SAV%, and 1 shutout. Mason has been a pleasant surprise this year and should get some serious consideration come fantasy draft time for the 2009-10 season. Be careful and don’t take him too high however as he was beaten out by Dan Ellis in Nashville, who is now the backup for the Predators, and was only handed the #1 job in St.Louis because of Manny Legace‘s poor play.

Remember to check back in next week to see who the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars will be for Week 26.

This week’s honorable mention goes to Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Malkin posted 8 points (3 goals & 5 assists) to go along with a plus-7, 4 PIM and 9 shots on goal. Malkin shows no signs of slowing down after a great season last year when he was a finalist for the Hart Trophy.

Lets take a look at the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars for Week 8.

3rd Star – Chris Mason (G), St. Louis Blues

After losing his starting job in the playoffs to Dan Ellis and not receiving a lot of interest from teams looking for goaltending it seemed like Chris Mason’s days as a #1 were over. Well after a couple of solid starts it looks like that might not be true. Mason had a solid week winning 2 games while posting a 0.96 GAA, .974 SAV% and one shutout. If his play continues expect Mason to become the team’s new #1 or at least getting the bulk of the starts as a 1A in a rotation with Legace.

2nd Star – Jonas Hiller (G), Anaheim Ducks

Jonas Hiller never played horrible in his first season in the NHL last year, but he has looked a lot more comfortable this year and is arguably the best backup in the league. Hiller won two games last week while posting a 0.87 GAA, .972 SAV% and one shutout. Now I don’t expect him to take over Giguere as the Ducks #1, but he should start to get some more starts and would be a good goalie to have if you’re in a deep fantasy league.

1st Star – Sidney Crosby (C), Pittsburgh Penguins

If it wasn’t obvious before it is now, Sidney Crosby is back and in full force. Crosby had a slow start to the season but has picked it up lately. Sid put up 9 points (6 goals & 3 assists) with a plus-8, 1 power play point and 16 shots on goal. I wonder if Alexander Semin has an answer to the question he posed a few weeks ago.

Remember to check back in next week to see who the NHL Fantasy 3 Stars will be for Week 9.

5. St. Louis Blues

Like Columbus, I’m a fan of what the Blues have done to rebuild the team and adding Doug Armstrong to the front office makes the future look that much brighter in St. Louis.  However, like the Blue Jackets, the Blues defence will be their achillies heels.  Their forward group is one of the most underrated in the NHL with Brad Boyes, Andy McDonald, David Backes, Lee Stempniak, Paul Kariya, Patrik Berglund and a personal favourite David Perron. 

However, as I mentioned their defence isn’t as solid as it should be.  Erik Johnson is done for the season and Jeff Woywitka is already having injury issues as well.  Jay McKee is a great physical defenceman but he as well has a problem with the injury bug.  Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman are dependable on the back end but it then drops off significantly with Roman Polak and Steve Wagner.  Alex Pietrangelo will be a great defenceman in the league one day, but not this season.

Manny Legace and Chris Mason have them sitting pretty in net, although Mason is currently injured and Legace has some concerns as well coming off of offseason surgery.

They don’t have a terrible team, but their injury concerns combined with their lack of depth will have them on the outside looking in once again this season.