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The goal of Rinkotology is to provide everyone, regardless of your level of hockey knowledge, the opportunity to take part in the fun and excitement of fantasy hockey.
Good morning and greetings from the land of pollen, err New Jersey. Rinko Turkeys will take the ugliness of nights by players and magnify them by 100x. We are sorry if we offend anyone or their Rinko teams but this is just a way of spotlighting some of the guys that may have dropped your team like a lead weight.
Now we will be doing this more frequently during the week with a usual special Monday or Tuesday edition that spotlights the weekend. There is one glaring candidate this morning and a few less obvious ones. First it is time to welcome the turkeys!
Flying nuts abound!!!!
Rinko Turkeys Issue 1
Alexander Ovechkin (LW) -- Washington Capitals
We all know just about everyone has the x3 multiplier on him. Well last night you hit a whammy of sorts with no shots on goal and no points. Basically Ovechkin was a great pile of nothing last night with only three hits and little if anything else. When you get down to it...this is Alexander The Great and when you do not see at least some scoring, you worry. About the only good thing was the fact that he was Even on the night but less than a point from Ovechkin in your Rinko league? Ouch babe! So Captain Ovechkin was a very rare super dud last night.
The Green Men -- Vancouver Canucks
This may not have necessary Rinko value but these guys are turkeys in the truest sense.They taunt the poor opponent in the penalty box and most times the opponent does not even look over. But they did get Justin Williams of the Kings off his game after a third period penalty. You could clearly see him not quite as present on the ice after that penalty. Maybe those "green turkeys" around the penalty box really had something to do with it. Vancouver eventually went on to win in overtime and some say it was because of these crazy "green turkeys".
Roberto Luongo -- Vancouver Canucks
This is going to sound crazy but hear me out. He was not the better goalie and if not for a few breaks, the Kings take Game 1. He did make 25 saves and give up 2 GA only. But your best penalty killer is your netminder and if two goals go in on three chances, then that means something is a bit off. I know it was Game 1 and maybe there was some rust but I can see why at least a few pundits think that maybe Jonathan Quick (Kings goaltender) may be the better guy between the pipes in this series. Now for those scoring at home, Luongo did get you 7.1 points which is good quite honestly but the turkey is still lurking and maybe it comes in Game 2. Stay tuned. *** Also remember that Luongo is not a captain in Rinko.
Come Tuesday we will have more turkeys to choose from. We will take a look at some by game and some overall. It gives a unique comparison and a fun baseline to see which Rinko players are pulling their weight.
The developers at Anteepa are brilliant people. The realtime updates are done manually, and they've made it so literally anyone with half a brain can update the statistics.
Considering that all of us at the Rinko Blog are usually around our computers on game nights, these stat updates are gonna be on the ball.
Expect stat updates periodically during games. And take that statement literally: It will be done between the periods.
Divisional layouts and "follow" and "search" features are being finely tuned. Thank you for your patience.
Good day Rinkotology maniacs! Brian Metzer here... I am finally making my official debut here at the Rink-O blog! Thanks go out to the boys for having me, I am sure we will all have a blast over the next two months no matter which teams advance!
Though I will most likely be covering a wide range of topics during my time here, this particular blog will be the first of a (mostly) daily series – “Metzer’s Rink-O-All-Stars.” It will be a (mostly) daily look at the top performers from the previous night’s games.
I will name a team of all-stars that features 3 forwards, 2 defensemen, and 1 goaltender. I will also be giving you 3 unsung heroes - who would only be on your Rink-o roster if you were a super fan of the given player, and 3 boobs – players who were probably picked to be big contributors and just didn’t get it done.
So without further adieu, let’s get to the first installment of Metzer’s Rink-O-All-Stars!
Tonight’s team has a couple surprises on it and a couple not so surprising members…
F – Evgeni Malkin
Though his Penguins lost to the Senators, Malkin had a great night for his team and for his Rink-O owners. Geno Machino posted 3 points (2G-1A), 4 shots on goal, and two power play goals. The evening earned him a whopping 10.4 Rink-o-tology points and more if you had him assigned as one of your captains.
F – Chris Kelly
Kelly was praised for his work against the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby last night, but he made some great offensive contributions in the Senators’ victory. Kelly posted 3 points (1G-2A), a plus +2, 3 shots on goal, a power play goal and a blocked shot. His contributions on the ice would have gotten your Rink-O team 8.4 points.
F – Mike Richards
We all know that Richards oozes leadership and that was on display on Wednesday evening as he led his team past the Atlantic Division Champions. Not only did Richards play his usual strong defensive game, but he contributed offensively. Richards picked up 2 points (1G-1A), 2 shots on goal, the game winning goal and 1 hit. His night would have provided 7.3 points for your Rink-O squad.
D – Derek Morris and Keith Yandle
I am putting both of these Phoenix blue liners on the All-Star squad for the evening.
Morris was traded back to the Phoenix Coyotes during this season’s trade deadline and he has looked like the player he was back during his first stint in the desert. Morris has provided veteran leadership to a the youngsters on the Phoenix blue line and has contributed in many ways… his contributions last night led his ‘yotes to a huge win over the Red Wings. Morris posted 3 points (1G-2A), 3 shots on goal, 1 hit, 1 blocked shot, a power play goal and a game winning goal.
Yandle built upon the great regular season that he posted this year and joined Derek Morris as one of the three stars of last night’s game. Yandle picked up 2 points (1G-1A), 3 shots on goal and a power play goal to post 6.3 Rink-O points for your squad.
G – Ilya Bryzgalov
If I had a vote for this year’s Vezina Trophy, it would be going to Bryz…and my first vote for Metz Rink-O All-Star goaltender goes to the same man. Bryzgalov might be benefiting from the fact that Dave Tippett has implemented his disciplined defensive style of play, but he has still had to make a ton of saves. Last night Bryz picked up the win, made 38 saves and didn’t break under the immense pressure that the Wings put on him last night. If Bryz was your starter, he got you 5.8 points last night.
Unsung Heroes – these guys wouldn’t be on any team but their mother’s, but they are making mom happy!
F – Chris Neil
Neil is known more for his jackassery than his offensive contributions, but last night he looked like a Rocket Richard contender in floating down the wing and picking the short side corner on Marc Andre Fleury last night. Neil was a very effective player last night and contributed on both sides of the puck. He finished the evening with 2 points (1G-1A), +2, 2 shots on goal, and 5 hits. His mom got 6.7 points for her Rink-O squad.
D – Erik Karlsson
First of all, there is a chance that Karlsson might have made his way onto a couple of your teams. However, he isn’t an obvious pick from the Senators roster, which is why he is on this list. Karlsson had a great night, especially when you consider how young he is. He looked like a seasoned pro in collecting a second period rebound, going backhand to forehand before firing the puck past a quick moving Marc Andre Fleury. Had anyone taken a chance on an “unknown” kid, a la Travis in the movie Clueless, they would have gotten a great skateboarding boyfriend and 5.3 Rink-O points.
G – Brian Boucher
I am wondering if Boucher also has a 2015 Sports Almanac on him, because he is clearly capable of some McFly like time travel. Boucher hit the ice last night and looked a lot like the guy who took the Philadelphia Flyers on a magical run back in 1999-00. That kind of play is going to be needed if the Flyers are to knock off the Devils in their best of seven series. Boucher posted a victory and 23 saves for his Great Aunt Tess’s squad and got her 4.8 Rink-O points…
The Three Boobs – these guys are probably key contributors to your Rink-O teams, maybe even captains, and they pulled an “el foldo.”
F – Daniel Alfredsson
I convinced myself that Alfie would be a man possessed in these playoffs. I mean, he is no spring chicken and these Stanley Cup opportunities aren’t going to be there forever. Unfortunately for my prognostication skills and Alfie’s Rink-O owners, he picked up a lowly secondary assist and 1 hit. The hit could have come as he accidentally fell out of bed and rolled through a couple Penguins, because I didn’t see it. His Rink-O total was a lowly 2.1.
F – Matt Duchene
Ok, so maybe I am being a bit hard on the kid, but he has been a key contributor to the ‘Lanche all season long. He very well could have made his way onto your roster and left you wanting far more in the aftermath. This Calder candidate posted 1 assist, -1, 1 hit and 1 blocked shot for a grand total of 1.7.
G – Marc Andre Fleury
I am sure that many of you took Fleury hoping that he would be the guy to carry you to Rink-O oblivion, only to watch him surrender 5 goals and play one of his more lackluster playoff games over the last three years. I get it…he isn’t solely to blame for last night’s game, however tell that to the Rink-O owners who are scanning town for a supped up Lamborghini! Though he will redeem himself, last night’s 5.10 gaa, and underwhelming .808 save percentage get him the dubious distinction of third boob. He finished the evening with a hearty - .4 points on the night!
There is just about officially 24 hours left to join the Rinkotology pool. So why haven't you done so yet? Now we are not going to tell you how to construct your team. This is just a mere friendly suggestion or 26. Here are some of the things you should absolutely not do. Keep in mind some of these are to lighten the mood. Yes I acknowledge that this is a contest where you could make some pretty good coin for your investment but at the same time, it is not worth it to go cuckoo for cocoa puffs over.
Again, here are some of our suggestions.
Do not pick enforcers like P3L or Chris Neil.
Do not forget the multipliers for Captains and Alternates
Do not ignore our injury list on the blog page.
Do not pick the goalie with the checkered past.
Do not accidentally lock your roster and forgetfully choose the wrong player(s).
Do not second guess your picks.
Do not look at what your friends are doing.
Do not misplace your credit card or debit card to pay the $10 for 1 team or up to 3 for $24.
Do not make a video where you trash talk all the rest of the Rinkos.
Do not drink heavily while creating your team.
Do not pick all players from 1 or 2 teams please!!!
Do not trash talk without backing at least some of it up.
Do not have dreams of world domination while creating your team.
Do not conjure up spirits like Harry Potter.
Lastly do not make a movie like this for a preview.......
Actually its not that bad at all....
On behalf of the bloggers from Rinkotology, we wish you the best of luck. We will keep you updated with the latest, spot some trends, throw some cool numbers at you, and most importantly make this experience a fun and maybe profitable one for you, the player.
(Injury sources include The Hockey News, Rotoworld, AP wire)
Pittsburgh
Orpik, Cooke, Kunitz.. should all suit up for Game One
It’s the playoffs, who would want to miss a game?!
Ottawa
Alexei Kovalev-W (knee - Out for the season) Bad for the Sens.. good for everyone else..
Filip Kuba-D (back - Late April) underwent surgery.. out until further notice, could be back sometime in Late April/Early May at the earliest
Buffalo
Drew Stafford-W (concussion - Day-to-Day) Probable for Game One of the playoffs. Game time decision
Jochen Hecht-C (upper body - Day-to-day)might play in Game One on Thursday.. Game time decision
Tim Connolly-C (foot - Day-to-Day)Hopeful to beplaying in Game One on Thursday.. but the guy can’t stay healthy for more than a period of hockey it seems.. your call on that one
Boston
Dennis Seidenberg-D (wrist - Early June)Out eight weeks after surgery on wrist
Mark Stuart-D (hand - Mid April) will likely miss the first two games of the post-season
Andrew Ference-D (groin - Day-to-Day) probable for Game One on Thursday.
Marc Savard-C (concussion – Indefinitely) unable to even start working out.. OUT for season
New Jersey
None of any significance
Philadelphia
All of their goalies are on the IR..
Other than that.. whatev
Washington
Nicklas Backstrom-C (undisclosed/possible illness) “questionable but probable” according to Boudreau.Backstrom didn’t skate in the morning practice on Tuesday as he was injured at some point during Sunday’s game against the Bruins.
Montreal
Glen Metropolit-C (shoulder - Out for season) Steer clear kids..
Paul Mara-D (upper body - Day-to-day) hasn't played since January 22nd.. No dice..
Phoenix
None of any significance
Detroit
None of any significance
Vancouver
None of any major concern for Rinko
Unless you were planning on running the gambit with Willie Mitchell as your stud on the blue line.. in which case, you should be on the golf course with Olli Jokinen.
Los Angeles
None of any significance
Chicago
Brian Campbell-D (fractured clavicle and rib – Indefinitely) light skating.. could return in early May
Nashville
Patric Hornqvist-C (upper body - Day-to-Day) Should be good to go for game one of Friday
San Jose
None of any significance
Colorado
Matt Duchene-C (middle body - Day-to-Day) skated in practice on Monday with no setbacks and should be ready for game action come Wednesday night.
Peter Mueller-C (concussion - Indefinitely) Suffered a concussion on April 4th.. off-ice workouts.. Doubtful for Wednesday’s playoff opener.
David Jones-W (knee - Day-to-day) Knee surgery in late November.. Currently skating but will not dress come Wednesday.
Goalie Situations
(All goalies that are listed as ‘starters’ were either named the starter, or we assume that they will be the starting goalie when game one rolls around.)
Buffalo Sabres
Ryan Miller
2009-10 season: 41-18-8, 5 SO, 2.22 GAA, .929 SV%
Playoff Experience: 20-14-0, 1 SO, 2.22 GAA, .922 SV%
(Backup: Patrick Lalime)
New Jersey Devils
Martin Brodeur
2009-10 season: 45-25-6, 9 SO, 2.24 GAA, .916 SV%
Playoff Experience: 98-78-0, 23 SO, 1.98 GAA, .920 SV%
(Backup: Yann Danis)
Phoenix Coyotes
Ilya Bryzgalov
2009-10 season: 42-20-6, 8 SO, 2.29 GAA, .920 SV%
Playoff Experience: 9-5-0, 3 SO, 2.25 GAA, 9.22 SV%
(Backup: Jason LaBarbera)
Vancouver Canucks
Roberto Luongo
2009-10 season: 40-22-4, 4 SO, 2.57 GAA, .913 SV%
Playoff Experience: 11-11-0, 1 SO, 2.09 GAA, .930 SV%
(Backup: Andrea Raycroft)
San Jose Sharks
Evgeni Nabokov
2009-10 season: 44-16-10, 3 SO 2.43 GAA, .922 SV%
Playoff Experience: 32-31-0, 6 SO, 2.23 GAA, .915 SV%
(Backup: Thomas Greiss)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Marc-Andre Fleury
2009-10 season: 37-21-6, 1 SO, 2.65 GAA, .905 SV%
Playoff Experience: 31-18-0, 3 SO, 2.45 GAA, .908 SV%
(Backup: Brent Johnson)
Colorado Avalance
Craig Anderson
2009-10 season: 38-25-7, 2.64 GAA, .917 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Peter Budaj)
Washington Captials
Jose Theodore
2009-10 season: 30-7-7, 1 SO, 2.81 GAA, .911 SV%
Playoff Experience: 19-27-0, 1 SO, 2.79 GAA, .912 SV%
(Backup: Semyon Varlamov)
Detroit Red Wings
Jimmy Howard
2009-10 season: 37-15-10.3 SO, 2.26 GAA, .924 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Chris Osgood)
Boston Bruins
Tuukka Rask
2009-10 season: 22-12-5, 5 SO, 1.97 GAA, .931 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Tim Thomas)
Nashville Predators
Pekka Rinne
2009-10 season: 32-16-5. 7 SO, 2.53 GAA, .911 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Dan Ellis)
Montreal Canadiens
Jaroslav Halak
2009-10 season: 26-13-5, 5 SO, 2.40 GAA, .924 SV%
Playoff Experience: 0-1-0, 0 SO, 1.85 GAA, .906 SV%
(Backup: Carey Price)
Chicago Blackhawks
Anti Niemi
2009-10 season: 26-7-4, 7 SO, 2.25 GAA, .912 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Cristobal Huet)
Los Angeles King
Jonathan Quick
2009-10 season: 39-34-7, 4 SO, 2.54 GAA, .907 SV%
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Erik Ersberg)
Ottawa Senators
Brian Elliott
2009-10 season: 29-18-4, 5 SO, 2.57 GAA, .909 SV %
Playoff Experience: None
(Backup: Pascal Leclaire)
Philadelphia Flyer
Brian Boucher
2009-10 season: 9-18-3, 1 SO, 2.76 GAA, .899 SV%
Playoff Experience: 11-8-0, 1 SO, 2.06 GAA, .916 SV%
(Backup: Caron/Backlund)
Now.. It may pay off to take a backup in a few different scenarios if you feel confident that the ‘starter’ will collapse and give way to the ‘backup’.
Take Fitz for example:
The kid’s got chutzpah… what else can we say, but that scenario could play out and end up bringing home some cash money...
24 hours left to get your rinkotology rosters set...
First off, a HUGE thanks goes out to Adam J. for compiling stats for each player on each team in the playoffs and putting into neatly organized spreadsheets. He made our job a heck of a lot easier and we were able to make these fancy graphs for you guys to use as cheat sheets when trying to decide on your roster for Rinko. (Who doesn't like to look at a picture instead of reading?!)
Basically, Adam took each playoff team's top 15-18 players, their total points from the regular season (using Rinkotology scoring, but not including the GWG, series clinching goal, cup winning goal, hat trick and game 7 goal bonuses for forwards and d-men) and came up with their Rinko points per game average which you can see below in the charts.
The totals may not be EXACTLY correct as some errors may have been present given the crazy amount of stats that come into play for this version of Rinko. But this should give everyone a better idea as to how each player stacks up in the Rinkotology world.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
WESTERN CONFERENCE
NOW.. Don't let this information be your SOLE factor for when you finalize your roster, certain players tend to show up more in the playoffs than over the entire regular season. Take a Gary Roberts type of player for example, he may not lead the league in many stat categories during the regular season, BUT... put him into a key role on an NHL playoff team, and he'll give you a couple HUGE goals.. some shots.. hits.. and maybe a GWG.. Now THAT can make for an interesting dark horse for your Rinko squad. And then give that guy the "C" or make him your alternate captain.. and he may just carry you to the promised land where you'll be makin' it rain while wearing the championship belt...
woooooooo
(Look for a new post sometime late Tuesday, touching upon each teams' goalie situation as well as injuries that could play a factor this post season)
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