Game 8 Fantasy Report: Rangers 4, Islanders 2

Fantasy Stars of the Game
1st Star: Richard Park (2 A, 1 SHA, +2, 1 BkS, 2 PIMs, 2 hits)
2nd Star: Mark Streit (1 G, 1 SHG, 2 SOG, 3 BkS, 6 hits)
3rd Star: Kyle Okposo (1 G, +1, 7 SOG)
4th Star: Mike Comrie (1 A, +1, 3 SOG, 1 BkS)
5th Star: Doug Weight (1 A, 1 SHA, 1 SOG, 2 PIMs, 1 hit)

Notes
1st PP Unit: Weight-Streit Guerin-Nielsen-Hunter
2nd PP Unit: Campoli-Hillen Tambellini-Comrie-Okposo

It will be interesting to see what Scott Gordon does at the point now that Hillen has been sent down. His spot could realistically be taken by Thomas Pock, Bruno Gervais, or even the returning Andy Sutton. Also watch to see if Nielsen retains that spot on the top unit.

Mitch Fritz has been recalled from Bridgeport and could make his debut tomorrow in Philadelphia. If you are in need of a quick PIMs fix, Fritz is someone you could look it. Sutton can also be a good source of PIMs but his contributions there might be compromised initially having just come off a hand injury. If Fritz does enter the lineup, a forward will have to sit. Thompson, Tambellini, and Bergenheim are your boys on the bubble. Bergenheim likely wouldn't sit out for more than a game, but if Fritz makes an impact, the others might need to pick it up quickly.

Chris Botta reported the following lines at practice today:
Bergenheim-Weight-Guerin
Tambellini-Comrie-Sim
Hunter-Nielsen-Okposo
Hilbert-Thompson-Park

Okposo's stock will probably start to rise soon. He broke through for his first goal Monday night, and of the young players called out to step up in my previous post, his play has been the most consistent and encouraging all along. It's too early to say if he will become a fantasy regular this year, but keep an eye on him.

Finally, with 3 goals and 4 assists in eight games, Streit is showing that he is perfectly capable of generating offense without being surrounded by a gifted cast. Don't hesitate to use him.