This article is part of our The Man Advantage series.
February has just begun, and we're going to change things up a bit. We've taken a look at the top six power plays of January, and found one player to highlight from each team. So which teams have found success with the extra man to kick off 2017? And which of their players might be available to help your fantasy team? That's what we're here to find out.
Evander Kane, LW, BUF – After a slow, injury-impacted start, Kane has really picked up his play recently. Over the last 30 days, he notched 11 points, 48 shots on goal, and 20 PIM. However, this is about his power-play production. He only has six points with the extra man this season, but he's also only played in 38 games. Plus, he does have a power-play point in his last two contests. There are some other guys that have produced more, but you are less likely to be able to pick them up. Kane, on the other hand, will probably be available, and now that he's healthy and playing well, his power-play potential has increased.
Ryan Spooner, C, BOS – It's easy to overlook Spooner, but he's actually been a power-play producer for the Bruins for a few seasons. Last year, he tallied 17 power-play points while averaging 2:47 with the extra man. This season he's in the same fine form, as he's notched 11 power-play points in 53 games. In January, when the Bruins had the fifth best power
February has just begun, and we're going to change things up a bit. We've taken a look at the top six power plays of January, and found one player to highlight from each team. So which teams have found success with the extra man to kick off 2017? And which of their players might be available to help your fantasy team? That's what we're here to find out.
Evander Kane, LW, BUF – After a slow, injury-impacted start, Kane has really picked up his play recently. Over the last 30 days, he notched 11 points, 48 shots on goal, and 20 PIM. However, this is about his power-play production. He only has six points with the extra man this season, but he's also only played in 38 games. Plus, he does have a power-play point in his last two contests. There are some other guys that have produced more, but you are less likely to be able to pick them up. Kane, on the other hand, will probably be available, and now that he's healthy and playing well, his power-play potential has increased.
Ryan Spooner, C, BOS – It's easy to overlook Spooner, but he's actually been a power-play producer for the Bruins for a few seasons. Last year, he tallied 17 power-play points while averaging 2:47 with the extra man. This season he's in the same fine form, as he's notched 11 power-play points in 53 games. In January, when the Bruins had the fifth best power play, he picked up four power-play points in 14 games.
Mathew Dumba, D, MIN – Dumba's overall minutes are up this year, but he's still doing most of his damage with the extra man. Last season, 12 of his 26 points (and six of his 10 goals) came on the power play. This year, things haven't been quite as extreme, but he's notched eight of his 22 points with the man advantage. For what it's worth, he's also an impressive plus-22. The Wild have surprisingly been one of the best offenses in the league this season, and that extends to their power play, which bodes well for Dumba.
Dmitry Orlov, D, WAS – Orlov has already set a career high in power-play points, although that number is only six. Still, Orlov has the biggest power-play role of his career and his performance picked up in January (four PPP), and three have come in his last seven games. There's a little bit of upside potential here, provided his January performance is emblematic of what's to come.
Nazem Kadri, C, TOR – Kadri, like several of his teammates, had a January to remember. He tallied seven points with the extra man in 12 games to kick off 2017, which gives him 14 power-play points on the season. That's as many as he had last year, and he's only four points behind his career best. There are reasons to believe he can surpass his career high with ease, including a new, flashy and young supporting cast.
Alex Galchenyuk, C, MON – It was a big January for the Original Six teams from Canada, evidently. However, Galchenyuk wasn't a major part of it, which is partially why he's available in enough leagues to mention him here. He's been dealing with a knee injury, which limited him to only five games in January. Despite that, he still managed to pick up three power-play points in that limited action. Overall, he's tallied 11 points with the extra man in a mere 30 games. After his five-game return, Galchenyuk's knee flared up again, but he's expected to return soon. If he stays healthy, he won't be available for long -- now is the time to strike.
