game against Kansas State last Saturday with six sto

There was a natural progression for fantasy hockey writers taking in Auston Matthews NHL debut on Wednesday:Goal No. 1 [with heavy sarcasm]: Of course he scores in his first game. That should help the hype train slow down.Goal No. 2: Wow. I mean. ... Just wow. He made Erik Karlsson look like a goof. Maybe he was underrated a touch coming into this season. After all, no one has ever followed his development path before. Having a skilled player forego junior hockey and play in the professional ranks in Europe for his draft year is a path forged by Matthews. This is technically all new. Perhaps we should reassess his value.Goal No. 3: Sweet. Now we get to make a nice Fabian Brunnstrom reference in reminding owners not to overreact too much. Matthews is most definitely in need of a value boost for fantasy purposes, but the kid cant score 246 goals in a season, so the pace will slow down. Ill just a write a little bit about Brunnstrom, boost Matthews in the rankings next week and everything will go back to normal soon.Goal No. 4: Matthews will score 300 goals this season. He is a fantasy hockey titan and has caused my brain to forget how Connor McSomethings name ends. This is entirely unreasonable. Why does the NHL not stock Matthews jerseys in their online shop yet?There has been nothing like this for fantasy hockey purposes before. The player tabbed as the next best thing stepped onto the ice and blew everyones most optimistic expectations out of the water. Of course, we do have to be reasonable in a few ways:1. This Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators game was a fast and loose affair and it didnt look like anyone for Ottawa was playing defense. In 2,460 NHL games last season, only 23 times did a team have a game with more shot attempts than the Maple Leafs had against the Senators on Wednesday.2. Matthews wont catch anyone else off guard. Who was on the Leafs top line coming into this game? Of course we knew the projected lines, but which one was the top one? It could have been any of the top three, as coach Mike Babcock has taken a balanced approach to his deployment this season. Now everyone knows the top line to defend against is whichever one Matthews is on.3. Does this really change everyones overall projections? Does one four-goal game change the opinion that Matthews is going to score 25 goals and 50-some-odd points? A little, but not a lot. Does it feel more natural to say 30 goals and 60-plus points after watching him play in an NHL game? Yes. But if thats true, his remaining 26 goals and 56 points will be spread out over the next 81 games. There will be valleys to counter this ultimate peak.Of course, all of this caution goes out the window when Matthews scores four more on Saturday.Fantasy Forecaster: Oct. 17-23As youre already aware by the title, the Fantasy Forecaster is back for another season of NHL action.We apologize for being a week late, but from here on out this will be your one-stop shop for planning your transactions based on the coming slate of games. Teams can range from the rare white whale of the NHL schedule -- when a team plays five games in a week -- to the equally rare (but despicable) one-game week. It happens as the schedule for NHL teams ebbs and flows with travel and days off, and its something that can be a major factor in your league.While the most obvious use for the Fantasy Forecaster is for those owners playing in weekly leagues of some kind, whether that is weekly roster deadlines or weekly waiver periods. But dont overlook the usefulness of a quick capsule review of the schedule for more active fantasy leagues, too. Those in daily lineup leagues or DFS can still take a glimpse at the forecaster grid and our recommendations to help decide on moves.The annual reminder for the start of the season still applies: Take the ratings with a grain of salt until there is enough data for the Fantasy Forecaster to really start chewing on it. The offensive and defensive game ratings are based on goals, shots, special teams and shot attempts for each team, weighted with a home and road split for each club. Obviously, until some statistics from the current season start accumulating, these numbers will largely be based on last season. And as we know, a lot has changed since then.Access the downloadable forecaster chart PDF hereTeam notesArizona Coyotes: While we know very little about how NHL defenses will fare this season, we know the Senators didnt look very solid in that department on Wednesday. The Coyotes have four road games next week, but including the Sens on that docket helps us -- at least for now -- view this as a favorable road trip. The early part of the season leaves you with many question marks for how players might contribute in new roles, but Radim Vrbata is, technically speaking, returning to an old role. It appears as though Vrbata will open the campaign on the top line with his former linemate Martin Hanzal as well as dynamic sophomore Max Domi. Owned in only eight percent of ESPN leagues, Vrbata is worth a look here. His 35-goal season in 2011-12 came while skating on a line with Hanzal and Ray Whitney.Calgary Flames: The Flames get to hang around in Calgary to play three home games next week, and none of them are back-to-back couplets. It should be a nice week to get to know each other, especially since two of the players on the top line on Wednesday didnt skate an inch together in training camp. Johnny Gaudreaus late re-signing and Kris Versteegs last-minute addition to the team showed clearly on Wednesday, as the Oilers thumped the Flames 7-4. Even though he snuck in to steal the top-line role, Versteeg isnt the only name of interest. Troy Brouwer still joined Gaudreau and Sean Monahan for the Flames first power-play unit, and is getting time on the second line at even strength. Hell be worth keeping a close eye on. Also of note for the Flames is that T.J. Brodie was not paired with Mark Giordano at even strength, as new coach Glen Gulutzan appears to favor balance. Without the role next to Giordano, Brodies chances of value as a No. 4 fantasy defenseman are greatly reduced.Anaheim Ducks: Despite some indications otherwise, coach Randy Carlyle isnt going to mess with what works -- at least to start the season. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were back on a line together to lead the Ducks on Thursday. With Rickard Rakell just re-signing on Friday afternoon, youngster Nick Ritchie is getting an extended look on the top line with Getzlaf and Perry. Cory Schneider is always an imposing opponent, but the Ducks also play the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks next week.Goalie notesThe Los Angeles Kings will be turning to Jeff Zatkoff in the short term, and fantasy owners should follow their lead. The success of goaltenders in the L.A. system comes naturally, as the team plays some of the best defense in the NHL. The Kings were first in the NHL for fewest shot attempts allowed last season, and second in the category in 2014-15. The team makes things as easy as possible for its netminder, regardless of the name on the jersey. Jonathan Quicks status is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, so ride Zatkoff while you can. The same logic applies to Peter Budaj if the team ends up looking his way for more starts over the inexperienced Zatkoff.Everyone is expecting Connor Hellebuyck to take the goaltending job for the Winnipeg Jets and run with it. Sure, that seems like the most likely scenario and the one you should plan for in your fantasy hockey strategy. But those who like to hedge their bets a little might want to at least consider the appeal of Michael Hutchinson. Coach Paul Maurice is going to have a short leash on his goalies this season, and any signs of struggle will mean he switches to the other one. Hutchinson, while nothing special last season when this team was a three-headed monster in the crease, had a sterling season in 2014-15 between the pipes. And three of the four goals against Hellebuyck on Thursday could be described as softies.Chicago Blackhawks backup goaltender Scott Darling will likely draw either the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Columbus Blue Jackets in a set of back-to-back games for the club later next week. Either is a quality matchup for a backup if you are able to stash him for a single use.It would be easy to dismiss Sergei Bobrovsky after allowing five goals to the Bruins on Thursday, but dont be so hasty. For four of the five goals against him, Bobrovsky had zero chance to save the puck. Those goals are on his teammates, and if the Blue Jackets, who are a very young team, can close some of the gaps in their coverage as the season continues, Bobrovsky will still have plenty of chances to shine. Of course, if they cant make those fixes, its going to be a long season for Bobrovsky.Player notesEvander Kane looks to be joining Jack Eichel and Kyle Okposo on the sidelines for the Buffalo Sabres, and its a horrible case of the team missing arguably their three most dynamic forwards. In the meantime, the Sabres will have to stack their depth chart as best they can, which will leave an opportunity for Zemgus Girgensons to carve out an offensive role. Its been a couple of seasons since he was a meaningful contributor, but there is some history of production there to offer hope while he skates with Ryan OReilly and Sam Reinhart.While it would be more fun to focus here on the Bourque Squared line for the Avalanche -- with Gabriel Bourque and Rene Bourque (unrelated) apparently set to open the campaign on the flanks of the third line -- the sneaky fantasy value more likely rests on the second line with Mikhail Grigorenko. A potential post-hype breakout, Grigorenko looked terrific in the preseason, tying for the league lead with four goals. Hell play with Matt Duchene and Carl Soderberg to open the season Saturday.Remember Devin Setoguchi? He scored 31 goals and 65 points for the San Jose Sharks in 2008-09, but has been a fantasy afterthought since he left the Sharks in 2011. However, the Kings lined him up next to Anze Kopitar to start the season, which earns an eyebrow raise. His last NHL point came in March 2014, but Setoguchi managed 24 points in 30 games playing with HC Davos in the Swiss league last season. Anybody playing with Kopitar should at least be on your radar.Rounding out the Montreal Canadiens top six to start the season is 21-year-old Finnish prospect Artturi Lehkonen. Playing with Alexander Radulov and Tomas Plekanec, Lehkonen fired five shots on goal in his debut on Thursday.For now, David Perron is filling in on the St. Louis Blues top line with Vladimir Tarasenko as Jaden Schwartz misses the first month of the campaign with an elbow injury. But keep an eye on what coach Ken Hitchcock does with Nail Yakupov. The former first-overall draft pick earned two points on Thursday in a third-line role. There are still plenty of games for him to make a move before Schwartz returns.The biggest winner in the Jacob Trouba saga so far has definitely been Josh Morrissey. Opening the regular season as Dustin Byfugliens defensive partner, Morrissey has high-end potential for his offensive game, having scored at a strong pace throughout his junior career.Buy NHL Jerseys 2020 . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Wholesale NHL Jerseys 2020 . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. https://www.nhljerseys2020.com/ . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. NHL Jerseys 2020 Store . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Fake NHL Jerseys 2020 . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time.In a Big 12 Conference becoming known more and more for its wacky video-game-like scores, No. 20 West Virginia is off to a 4-0 start thanks to, gasp, defense.The Mountaineers certainly wont be confused with the 1986 Chicago Bears on that side of the ball, but they gave up just a combined 27 points in wins over Missouri (26-11) and Kansas State (17-16). They rank third in the Big 12 in scoring defense (20 points per game), pass defense (227.2 yards per game) and total defense (418.5 yards per game).But now comes the stiffest test of the season for West Virginia (4-0, 1-0) as it travels to Texas Tech (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday (noon ET, FS1).The Red Raiders lead the nation in passing yards per game (544) and are second to only Louisville in both scoring (55.2 points per game) and total offense (649.8 yards per game).Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the nation in passing yards per game (454.8) and total offense (487.2 yards per game). Despite being bothered by a sore shoulder, he has completed 166 of 228 passes for 2,274 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions.Whew! Good thing the Mountaineers had an extra week to get ready for this one. In their past nine games at Jones Stadium, the Red Raiders have averaged 60.1 points and 668.1 yards.Theyre so unique with what theyre doing, Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen said. Its not really a secret what theyre doing, its just that Mahomes is so good at keeping things alive. They play so fast and score so many points that its challenging.Since Mahomes took over the starting job last year, Texas Tech has scored at least 52 points and gained at least 607 yards in every home game.The best defense for West Virginia could be a prolific offense. The Mountaineers have shown they can make big plays at times in the first four games, but they really havent had that open-your-eyes outing, the game in which they go for a half-hundred or more.This will have to be that game, because it is unrealistic to count on the defense to hold down Mahomes. West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard might not have to outplay him, but he has to come close to matching him and avoid the mistakes that would give the Red Raiders extra possessions.When you get into these games like Texas Tech, you better score more, so that probably means you need to take a few more chances, maybe go for it on fourth down more and try and get touchddowns instead of field goals, Holgorsen said.ddddddddddddOne way for the Mountaineers to reduce the impact that Texas Techs offense could have is to run the ball often and well. Junior college transfer Justin Crawford has become the teams leading rusher as senior Rushel Shell has managed just 35 yards in each of the past two games. The Red Raiders are allowing 179.4 rushing yards per game, so opponent can run on them, and if West Virginias veteran offensive line can execute, Crawford and Shell could put up good numbers.Howard is quietly ninth in FBS in total offense through four games with 344.5 yards per game, yet there is a feeling he can probably be more efficient.Howard has tossed an interception in each game this year, but it hasnt come back to haunt the Mountaineers yet. This will be a good week for Howard to eliminate turnovers because if he can, the Texas Tech defense is pliable enough that West Virginia should post some healthy numbers.Wide receiver Shelton Gibson has been Howards top target, averaging 24.1 yards per catch. Gibson has caught 19 passes, and his average of 114.5 yards per game ranks third in the Big 12 and ninth in FBS. He will be going against a Red Raiders defense that is yielding more than 265 passing yards per game.Safety Kyzir White has been a nice addition to the Mountaineers defense, collecting 24 tackles in his first four games. White had an impactful game against Kansas State last Saturday with six stops, a sack and a pass breakup. He figures to have plenty of action this week against Texas Techs pass-happy attack, which will come at West Virginia from every imaginable angle.Mahomes was questionable last week due to a sore shoulder, then started and threw for 504 yards in a 44-38 loss at Kansas State. He also surrendered a pick-six, and the team struggled to pick up yardage in key spots late in the game.Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said that Mahomes appeared to be bothered again by his injured shoulder late in that contest but doesnt expect that to be a factor on Saturday.I think he pushed it to be out there this past week. A lot of guys would not have played in that game, Kingsbury said. He wanted to play, and threw it really well. So it will just continue to get better and better. ' ' '