Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Brandon Saad nets goal on Tuesday

Brandon Saad scored a goal in Chicago's 3-1 win over the Canadians on Tuesday. He finished the night with a plus-1 rating and two blocked shots.

Fantasy Implications: Saad's return to Chicago after a two-year stint with the Blue Jackets has been nothing short of sensational. He has seven points (five goals and two assists) and a plus-7 rating through four games. The 24-year-old left wing has thus far been a key member of Chicago's formidable first line along with Jonathan Toews and Richard. His 18:51 average time on ice and 3:35 average power-play time on ice bodes well for a productive 2017-18 campaign. Fantasy owners should expect Saad to have no problem registering a fourth straight 50-plus point season.

Corey Crawford earns third straight win

Corey Crawford allowed only one goal on 42 shots in the Blackhawk's 3-1 win over Montreal on Tuesday.

Fantasy Implications: Crawford was outstanding as he outdueled Canadian's netminder Carey Price. Crawford slammed the door shut on Montreal after surrendering an early goal at 1:15 of the first period to Tomas Plekanec, and despite being outshot 42-to-15. The 32-year-old goalie has won each of his first three games to start the season, and sports a stellar 1.00 GAA and .971 save percentage. He now has a career 8-0-2 record against Montreal. 

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Brian Elliott pinned with loss

Brian Elliott surrendered six goals on 31 shots in the Flyers' 6-5 loss against Nashville on Tuesday.

Fantasy Implications: Elliott was staked with a 5-3 lead one-third of the way through the third period, but allowed three goals the rest of the way to take his first loss of the 2017 campaign. The 32-year-old goalie won his first two games, making 53 saves on 58 shots (.914 save percentage). The Flyers  have started the season with four games on the road, and will look forward to their home-opener on Saturday. Moose is considered the No. 1 netminder for the Flyers, but how he will split time with Michal Neuvirth has yet to be determined.

Guillermo Heredia udergoes right shoulder surgery

Guillermo Heredia underwent surgery on his right shoulder on Monday in Miami.  He should be ready for Spring Training in February.

Fantasy Implications: Heredia had surgery to repair a tear of his shoulder labrum that resulted in a chronic shoulder separation during the course of the 2017 campaign.  According to Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto, Heredia had to have the dislocated shoulder put back in place on at least four separate occasions during the course of the year, which likely effected his performance offensively. The 26-year-old Cuban outfielder finished the season with a .249/.315/.337 slash line with 43 runs, six homers and 24 RBIs in 386 at-bats. He is expected to compete for the starting center field role next season.

Trent Taylor with only one catch in Week 5

Trent Taylor hauled in one of the two passes thrown his way, gaining only six yards in the 49ers' 26-23 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Fantasy Implications: It was disappointing to fantasy owners to see Taylor play second fiddle to tight end George Kittle as Brian Hoyer's primary possession receiver in Week 5. Taylor had seen a gradual increase of utilization up until then. The 23-year-old Louisiana Tech alumnus was on the field for only 35 of his club's 70 offensive snaps, and targeted just twice. He will need to see more targets on a consistent basis to gain any sort of fantasy value. 

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Marquise Goodwin gains 116 yards in Week 5

Marquise Goodwin hauled in five of 11 targets for 116 yards in the 49ers' 26-23 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.  He did not score.

Fantasy Implications: Goodwin led the team in yardage, helped by a 51-yard reception from Brian Hoyer.  The 26-year-old speedster also tied Pierre Garcon for the team lead in targets. It was significantly Goodwin's most productive game of the season, and unexpected after he was limited in practice and listed as questionable this week because of a concussion suffered in last week's 18-15 loss to the Cardinals. His 11 targets easily surpassed the six-target maximum he saw in Weeks 1 and 2.  Fantasy owners should consider Goodwin a high-risk play until he can show more consistent production.    

Robbie Gould perfect again

Robbie Gould was a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra-point conversions in the 49ers' 26-23 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Fantasy Implications: Gould connected on field-goals of 28, 43 and 40 yards. He has now made 31 straight field-goal attempts going back to the 2015 season. The 34-year-older's consistency, combined with the 49ers' red zone struggles, make him a high-floor, low-ceiling kicking option for the 2017 campaign.