Fantasy Hockey Week 2: Top 10 Performers

This week’s top fantasy performers are scoring points in bunches with a slick Swiss scorer leading the way.

1. Thomas Vanek - Buffalo Sabres (LW)

Vanek managed 9 points in his first four games, missed some time due to injury, then promptly came back to score 10 points in the last 7 days, including a hat-trick against the rival Boston Bruins, which also included two assists and some highlight reel plays. When he's healthy, he's a top gun without a doubt.

2. Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins (C)

Sid The Kid managed eight points in four games this past week, including back-to-back three point nights. Obviously being in the top of the fantasy world is expected for Crosby and he's back in familiar territory. It looks like the Pens' top producers have awoken, with Crosby playing catalyst.

3. Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning (C)

As Stamkos goes, so go the Lightning. Tampa's one of the best teams in the league this year and easily the biggest surprise. The not so surprising part is that the league's most prolific goal scorer is on pace for another stellar season. He's a legitimate threat to score 100 points in 48 games right now with points in each of Tampa's eight games this year. That's just scary!

4. Roberto Luongo - Vancouver Canucks (G)

Can someone say goalie controversy. Though I'm sure the team's managers don't care, Bobby has fantasy owners who drafted Cory Schnieder tearing their hair out right now. Luongo has won all three of his starts this year, which included a shutout. He's allowed just three goals against this season and looks to have earned the lion's share of the starts in the immediate future.

5. Henrik Zetterberg - Detroit Red Wings (C, LW)

King Henrik started got off to a slow start last season but don't tell him that. The Swede notched a five-point night against the division rival St. Louis Blues last Friday. He has points in all but two games this season.

6. Chris Kunitz (LW)

Kunitz notched his first hat-trick in over two years against the Capitals recently and has six points in his last two games. He gets regular power-play with two guys named Malkin and Crosby, so while he might not be considered a top flight winger in general, you have to be happy with his results lately if you own him.

7. Johan Hedberg - New Jersey Devils (G)

While The Moose is no longer a starting goalie, he did stop a combined 49 of 50 shots in two starts recently, including a shutout against the New York Islanders. He'll spell the legendary Martin Brodeur regularly so although he's not a starter, getting the kind of numbers he's put up filling in is quite the bonus.

8. Tomas Vokoun - Pittsburgh Penguins (G)

He's appeared in three games since January 29^th and notched his first shutout as a Penguin against the star studded New York Rangers. His 1.29 goals against average over that stretch has Marc-Andre Fleury and his fantasy owners peering over their collective shoulders.

9. Mike Smith - Phoenix Coyotes (G)

The backbone of the ‘Yotes posted a solid .937 save percentage to go with two victories and a shutout in the past week. Though he missed sometime after taking a hard shot off the pads recently, he's back and feeling good. He's the main reason Phoenix made it deep into the playoffs last year and he's certainly considered a top flight goalie in your fantasy league.

10. Jamie McGinn - Colorado Avalanche (LW)

McGinn managed to string together a three game point streak this past week including his first goal of the season against the Edmonton Oilers. Although his career-high of 37 points last year doesn't exactly make him a premier option at the wing position, he has 19 points in 26 career regular season games with the Avs, which can be attributed to the fact he's on a younger team where he can be a leader in Colorado, which is not a benefit he was afforded in San Jose. That makes him a player worth watching going forward.

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