Who Should I Start in Fantasy Hockey? A Beginner's Guide

Hello there, hockey enthusiasts! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on who to start in fantasy hockey. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy sports player or a rookie looking to dive into the world of fantasy hockey, this article is here to help you make informed decisions and kickstart your league with confidence. So, grab a cup of coffee (or a beer, we won't judge), and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who should i start fantasy hockey.

Understanding Fantasy Hockey

Before we dive into who to start, let's ensure you understand the basics of fantasy hockey. Fantasy hockey is a game where you draft a virtual team of real-life NHL players and compete against other managers in your league based on statistical categories. These categories can include goals, assists, points, plus/minus, power-play points, and even penalty minutes, depending on your league's settings.

Your team's performance in these categories determines your team's standing in the league, and ultimately, the winner. It's a thrilling blend of strategy, knowledge, and a bit of luck. Now that we've got the basics down, let's talk about who you should start in your fantasy hockey league.

The Importance of Starting the Right Players

Starting the right players is crucial in fantasy hockey. It's not just about having the best team on paper; it's about fielding the best lineup week in and week out. The players you start have a direct impact on your team's performance, and thus, your league standing. So, who should you start? Let's break it down.

Understanding Your League Settings

The first step in determining who to start is understanding your league's settings. Different leagues have different scoring categories and roster sizes. Some leagues may count goalies as separate positions, while others might not. Some leagues might reward hits and blocked shots, while others might not.

Familiarize yourself with your league's settings and make sure your lineup decisions align with them. For example, if your league rewards hits, you might want to start a player who's known for his physicality, like Tom Wilson or Ryan Reaves.

Know Your Players

The next step is knowing your players. This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many fantasy managers draft players they know nothing about. Do your research. Know your players' strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This will help you make informed decisions when it comes to starting them.

For instance, if you have a player who's known for his power-play prowess, like John Tavares or Connor McDavid, you might want to start him on nights when his team has multiple power-play opportunities.

Matchups Matter

Pay attention to your players' matchups. Some players perform better against certain teams or in specific game situations. For example, if you have a player who's known for his ability to score goals against weak defensive teams, you might want to start him when his team plays a weak defensive team.

Similarly, pay attention to goaltending matchups. If your goalie is facing a team that struggles to score, you might want to start him. Conversely, if your goalie is facing a team that scores a lot, you might want to bench him or stream a better option.

Injuries and Line Combinations

Injuries and line combinations can significantly impact a player's performance. If a key player on your team is injured, you might need to start a backup player in his place. Similarly, changes in line combinations can affect a player's production. If a player is moved to a scoring line, you might want to start him. If he's moved to a checking line, you might want to bench him.

Who to Start in Specific Positions

Now that we've covered the basics let's talk about who to start in specific positions.

Centers

Centers are typically the most valuable players in fantasy hockey. They play the most minutes and are usually involved in the most scoring plays. When deciding who to start at center, consider the following:

- Points Production: Look for centers who can put up points. Players like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews are consistently among the league leaders in points. - Faceoff Winning Percentage: Centers who win a lot of faceoffs can give your team an advantage in possession and scoring opportunities. - Power-Play Production: Centers who play on the power play can provide a significant boost to your team's scoring.

Some centers to consider starting include:

- Connor McDavid (EDM): The reigning Art Ross Trophy winner is a point-per-game player and a consistent fantasy force. - Auston Matthews (TOR): Matthews has been one of the league's most prolific goal scorers since entering the league in 2016. - Nathan MacKinnon (COL): MacKinnon is a dynamic, two-way center who can put up points and win faceoffs.

Wings

Wings can provide significant scoring punch to your fantasy team. When deciding who to start on the wings, consider the following:

- Goals and Assists: Look for wings who can contribute in both goals and assists. Players like Alexander Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, and Leon Draisaitl fit this mold. - Power-Play Production: Wings who play on the power play can provide a significant boost to your team's scoring. - Ice Time: Wings who play a lot of minutes and are used in all situations tend to be more valuable in fantasy hockey.

Some wings to consider starting include:

- Alexander Ovechkin (WSH): The Great Eight is one of the league's most prolific goal scorers and a consistent fantasy force. - Patrick Kane (CHI): Kane is a dynamic offensive player who can put up points from anywhere on the ice. - Leon Draisaitl (EDM): Draisaitl has emerged as one of the league's top scorers and is a consistent fantasy producer.

Defensemen

Defensemen can provide a significant boost to your fantasy team in several categories, including points, plus/minus, and power-play production. When deciding who to start on defense, consider the following:

- Points Production: Look for defensemen who can put up points. Players like Roman Josi, John Carlson, and Victor Hedman are consistently among the league leaders in points among defensemen. - Plus/Minus: Defensemen who play on good teams and can stay out of the penalty box can provide a significant boost to your team's plus/minus category. - Power-Play Production: Defensemen who play on the power play can provide a significant boost to your team's scoring.

Some defensemen to consider starting include:

- Roman Josi (NSH): Josi has emerged as one of the league's top offensive defensemen and is a consistent fantasy producer. - John Carlson (WSH): Carlson is a dynamic offensive defenseman who can put up points and provide a significant boost to your team's power-play production. - Victor Hedman (TBL): Hedman is a two-way defenseman who can put up points and provide a significant boost to your team's plus/minus category.

Goalies

Goalies can make or break your fantasy team. When deciding who to start in net, consider the following:

- Save Percentage and Goals-Against Average: Look for goalies with high save percentages and low goals-against averages. These are the most reliable indicators of a goalie's performance. - Team Defense: Goalies on good defensive teams tend to perform better than goalies on bad defensive teams. - Workload: Goalies who play a lot of games tend to have more consistent fantasy performances.

Some goalies to consider starting include:

- Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL): Vasilevskiy is one of the league's top goalies and is a consistent fantasy producer. - Connor Hellebuyck (WPG): Hellebuyck has emerged as one of the league's top goalies and is a consistent fantasy producer. - Frederik Andersen (TOR): Andersen is a reliable starting goalie who can provide consistent fantasy production.

Streaming Goalies and Other Strategies

Starting the right players is crucial in fantasy hockey, but it's not the only strategy you should employ. Here are a few more strategies to help you succeed in your fantasy league:

- Streaming Goalies: Due to the unpredictable nature of goaltending, streaming goalies (i.e., starting different goalies each week based on favorable matchups) can be a valuable strategy. This allows you to capitalize on favorable matchups and avoid poor performances. - Playing the Hot Hand: Sometimes, it's worth starting a player who's on a hot streak, even if he's not one of your best players. Hot streaks can be unpredictable, and starting a player on a hot streak can provide a significant boost to your team's performance. - Burying the Dead: Conversely, it's sometimes worth benching a player who's in a slump, even if he's one of your best players. There's no sense in starting a player who's not producing.

Conclusion

Starting the right players is crucial in fantasy hockey. It's not just about having the best team on paper; it's about fielding the best lineup week in and week out. By understanding your league's settings, knowing your players, paying attention to matchups, and employing strategic lineup decisions, you can give your fantasy hockey team the best chance to succeed.

So, there you have it, folks! Our comprehensive guide on who to start in fantasy hockey. We hope this article has helped you make informed decisions and given you the confidence you need to dominate your league. Now, go out there and win that championship!