Fantasy Hockey Three Stars — No Goaltenders Here?

Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane
Apr 23 2014 Chicago IL USA Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane second from right celebrates with teammates Johnny Oduya 27 Jonathan Toews 19 and Patrick Sharp 10 after scoring a goal against the St Louis Blues during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center Jerry Lai USA TODAY Sports

Goaltending was all over the place on Wednesday night with some solid performances and some meltdowns — we even had a goalie pulled. Let’s get to work and try to pick the three best fantasy hockey players from Wednesday night. Did we get the right ones or were we a bit off? Let’s find out.

Fantasy Hockey Three Stars

Third Star — Brandon Dubinsky — Columbus Blue Jackets

The fact that Dubinsky has kept Sidney Crosby pretty much in check is impressive. The fact he had a goal and an assist Wednesday night is even more impressive. Five shots on goal, three scoring chances and going 12-for-26 on draws are just some of the reasons he is our third star. It is poetic that Dubinsky scored the tying goal that gave Columbus life. The Blue Jackets were down 3-0 a little more than 11 minutes into the first period. Columbus would quickly win it in overtime and just like that their series is even at two. Talk about one crazy series folks!

Second Star — Vladimir Tarasenko — St. Louis Blues

The winger is only 22-years-old. That is not a misprint. It even looked like his second goal of the night might be the game winner before Chicago rallied. Tarasenko also had a power play goal. The Russian sniper now has four goals on the series for St. Louis. He has created several scoring chances in each game and Chicago seems to have few answers for him. He is going to be a marked man the rest of the way from a Chicago perspective but Tarasenko is a guy who can rise above it.

First Star — Patrick Kane — Chicago Blackhawks

Early in the game, you heard that Kane was not 100 percent. By the end of the night, it did not matter. All Kane did was score two goals, add an assist and fire four shots on net. He played nearly 22 minutes on a bum knee and netted the game winner midway into overtime. There were times where it looked like Kane could barely skate but heroes just find a way to get it done. Simply, Kane did it again and he is one of the main reasons why Chicago is going back to St. Louis tied at two. It has been a hell of a series and the now best of three is headed for what is likely to be an incredible conclusion.

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Chris Wassel
Chris Wassel writes for XN Sports, The Hockey Writers, Dobberhockey, and many others. He is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. He has never turned a question away in 10+ years of writing so ask away @ChrisWasselTHW.