New York Rangers February Fantasy Hockey Roundup

Blue Line Station continues its monthly series on how New York Rangers players are performing in fantasy hockey leagues.

During the month of February, the New York Rangers saw a six-game winning streak, improved goaltending, and a return to health across the deep forward group.

Many of the fantasy-relevant Rangers are still there, but most saw pretty big swings in fortune. Most of this consideration will be given to stats used in standard Yahoo fantasy hockey leagues, with special reference given to players who excel in hits and PIMs leagues.

More from Blue Line Station

• Blake Wheeler’s Broadway Calling: Why He Chose the Rangers
• Rangers’ Playoff Redemption Recipe: Grit and Fresh Hopes
• Rangers’ Roster Chatter: Who’s Making the Cut and Who’s in the Penalty Box?
• Jacque Plante Trade Tree Between the Rangers and Canadiens
• These Rangers must learn Peter Laviolette’s ropes before they can fly

Rick Nash: Nash had a decent February, but nothing spectacular. He had 3 goals, 2 assists, 2 power play points (PPP) and an impressive 34 shots on goal. He now has 17 goals and 10 assists on the season, to go with his 140 shots on goal.

Derek Stepan: Stepan’s February was a bit of a disappointment. As of 2/25, he’s only registered 4 assists in 10 games, only one of which came on the power play. The Rangers general struggles with the man-advantage hit him especially hard. His 22 shots on goal over that span are helpful, though.

Mats Zuccarello: Like Nash, Zuccarello had a middling month, with 3 goals and 2 assists, only one of which came on the power play. He’s put 21 shots on goal since February 2nd against the Buffalo Sabres.

Chris Kreider: The 3G, 2A stat line was common for the Rangers in February, as Kreider joins Zuccarello and Nash with those same numbers. His 19 shots on goal are a bit disappointing, but as always, Kreider is extremely valuable in leagues that count hits and PIM. He recorded 8 PIM and 18 hits from February 2 to 25.

Of note is the fact that Kreider is officially having a career season: his 22 goals are a new best.

Related Story: Report Cards: Forwards, Round Two

Kevin Hayes: Hayes missed the first couple games of February, but since he returned to the lineup, he’s been a monster. His February stat line: 8 GP, 2 goals, 6 assists, +4, 2 PIM, and 17 shots on goal.

Hayes is now two points away from his career high of 45, in 24 fewer games. He’s available in 50% of Yahoo leagues, and that number is way too low. Check out the waiver wire in your league if you need to give your team a boost for the stretch run and into the playoffs.

J.T. Miller: As I mentioned in last month’s fantasy overview, Miller has been enjoying his time playing on Hayes’ wing. His February was no different.

Miller has been playing at better than a point-per-game pace, with 3 goals and 8 assists in 10 February games. He has an impressive +8 rating over that span, with 20 shots on goal and 4 PIM.

Miller’s line with Hayes and Michael Grabner continues to be the Rangers’ most effective.

Michael Grabner: Anyone who was expecting Grabner to drop off is still waiting. With 4 more goals to with 2 assists in February, Grabner just refuses to go away. He’s now up to 26 goals on the season, so reaching 30 is almost an afterthought at this point.

Grabner’s ownership has gone up 2%, to 53% of Yahoo leagues, but that number is still small for a guy who leads one of the best teams in the NHL in goals.

Mika Zibanejad: Zibanejad’s season is looking more and more like a disappointment. Since missing two months with a broken leg, the numbers just haven’t been there for the young center.

In February, Zibanejad has 0 goals and only 4 assists (though he did score a goal that was subsequently called back on a coach’s challenge).

Zibanejad is worth keeping an eye on, but his 34% ownership at this point is justified. If the Rangers shake up their struggling power play and Zibanejad finds a groove with more PP time, he might still be worth snagging.

Related Story: Zibanejad Key to Solving Power Play Woes

Pavel Buchnevich: Like Zibanejad, Buchnevich’s return to the Rangers after his back injury has been disappointing. He’s been stapled to the fourth line when he plays, and even worse, he’s been a common healthy scratch.

It might be time to write off Buchnevich for the season, but keep him in mind as a sleeper pick for next year.

McDonagh has been one of the Rangers’ best players for the past month. His 1 goal and 5 assists continue to pile onto his season totals (3-31—34), and he shoots the puck a ton for a defenseman.

Henrik Lundqvist: No player on the Rangers has been under the microscope as much as Lundqvist this season. As of our last fantasy update, Lundqvist was sitting on a .907 save percentage and 2.73 GAA.

But Hank is Hank, so of course he flipped the switch. The King is 7-1-1 in 9 February games, with a sparkling .943 save percentage and 1.85 GAA. If you bought low on him with a trade in January, you’re sitting pretty.

Next: New York Rangers: Five Thoughts Through 60 Games

Honorable mention: Rookie Jimmy Vesey has overcome his mid-season lapse, and getting promoted to the first line with Stepan and Nash was a big part of that. Since reuniting with that line, Vesey has scored 3 goals and chipped in an assist.