Blue Line Buzz: Final Week Top 50

To borrow a phrase from America's pastime: you can't predict ball.

If not for the dangerous cross-check to the back of J.T. Miller's neck, Dustin Byfuglien would've had the chance to match Erik Karlsson as the only defenseman in the league to score 20 goals in back-to-back seasons, something even guys like Shea Weber, Kris Letang and P.K. Subban can't claim.

Okay, there's a chance that Byfuglien scores two goals upon his return in Game 82 against Calgary, but with the way the Flames defend it won't be an easy task, though there's some comfort in knowing that Byfuglien's had two multi-goal games this season.

Byfuglien missed out on a nine-goal bonanza against Vancouver and in this week's top-50 falls out of the chart because he'll play just one game. Victor Hedman is also absent due to a lower-body injury, while Kris Letang remains sidelined with a concussion. Last week's top-10 played a total of 27 games and scored 25 points, but by far the best performers were Dennis Wideman with two power-play goals and five points in four games (ranked 28th), John Carlson (30th) and Ryan McDonagh (NR) each had five assists, while dark horse rookie Rasmus Ristolainen (36th) had four points in three games.

With the regular season ending April 11, this will be the last Blue Line Buzz of the regular season. Next week will be a primer for those in playoff pools looking to gain an edge on the blue line, with emphasis made on traditional categories (goals and assists), since peripheral stats are rarely part of the playoff pool set-up.

Here's this week's top-50.

1. Erik Karlsson
Last week: 4 GP, 1-3-4, minus-1, 17 SOG, 2 PIM, 3 PPP, 5 HIT, 2 BLK
This week: vs. PIT, @NYR, @PHI
Karlsson was a monster, scoring his 300th career point in his 393rd game, the fastest to do so since Borje Salming did it in 388 games, and the Sens won three games. The NHL's top scoring defenseman is a must-play every week.

2. Brent Burns
Last week: 3 GP, 0-3-3, plus-1, 7 SOG, 2 PIM, 2 HIT, 2 BLK
This week: vs. DAL, @EDM, @LA
Burns didn't score a goal despite playing the Coyotes twice, but he will have two games this week against poor defensive teams.

3. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Last week: 3 GP, 2-1-3, minus-1, 7 SOG, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 4 HIT, 7 BLK
This week: @CGY, @VAN, vs. ANA
Strangely enough all of OEL's points came against the Sharks in the second half of a back-to-back. Because the Coyotes don't have many quality forwards, his assist total remains low, but his 23 goals is a good enough reason alone to play him.

4. Drew Doughty
Last week: 3 GP, 1-1-2, plus-5, 4 SOG, 1 PPP, 8 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: @VAN, @EDM, @CGY, vs. SJ
An 8-2 drubbing of Edmonton yielded two points, and there's no reason to think Doughty won't do it again this week. The Kings have a tough road trip but have a good chance of winning all of those games, and Doughty will be featured prominently.

5. Keith Yandle
Last week: 3 GP, 1-2-3, plus-2, 8 SOG, 1 PPP, 1 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. CBJ, @NJ, vs. OTT, @WSH
Alain Vigneault once played Henrik Sedin for a single shift before resting him for the playoffs just to keep Sedin's iron man streak alive, so the matchups-genius may spread his ice time around a little more to give his defensemen a break. Yandle played just 14:43 against Winnipeg and 18:25 against Minnesota, and with the Metropolitan division and home-ice advantage locked up, the Presidents' Trophy may be not as alluring. Vigneault already has two of those with Vancouver, after all.

6. Justin Faulk
Last week: 3 GP, 0-1-1, minus-2, 8 SOG, 1 PPP, 3 HIT, 10 BLK
This week: @BUF, @DET, @PHI, vs. DET
Faulk didn't score against the Flyers last week but still played a great game with a plus-2 rating and eight blocked shots. The 'Canes are one of the few teams to have four games on the slate in the final week, which is good news for the team's best defenseman.

7. Kevin Shattenkirk
Last week: 4 GP, 0-3-3, plus-3, 11 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 4 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. WPG, vs. CHI, vs. MIN
Shattenkirk's ice time in his past five games is below his season average of 22:42, which suggests head coach Ken Hitchcock is still easing his power-play quarterback into the lineup, though it looks like Shatty is starting to get the hang of things again with three points in his past two games. The Blues have three strong opponents ahead but are also on a three-game win streak of their own.

8. Dennis Wideman
Last week: 3 GP, 2-3-5, plus-4, 6 SOG, 2 PPP, 5 HIT, 11 BLK
This week: vs. ARI, vs. LA, @WPG
Wideman was a monster for the Flames and should provide lots of value down the stretch. Bob Hartley will be leaning heavily on his veterans to clinch a playoff spot, and games against Arizona and Winnipeg should see Wideman pick up a few points.

9. Alex Pietrangelo
Last week: 4 GP, 1-2-3, plus-5, 7 SOG, 2 PIM, 4 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. WPG, vs. CHI, vs. MIN
Despite predicting that Shattenkirk would fare slightly better with his offensive abilities, Pietrangelo matched his three points last week. The Blues are a very deep team and score by committee outside of Vladimir Tarasenko, so with Pietrangelo logging 23-25 minutes each night, he always has a chance to pick up a point here and there.

10. P.K. Subban
Last week: 4 GP, 2-3-5, even, 14 SOG, 2 PPP, 5 HIT, 8 BLK
This week: vs. DET, @TOR
Just two games left for Montreal, but Subban has been on a hot streak as the Habs try to clinch the division title. The Maple Leafs have allowed just four goals in past two games, however, and the Wings have a potential goalie controversy with Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek alternating starts.

11. Tyler Myers
Last week: 2 GP, 0-1-1, plus-2, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: @MIN, @STL, @COL, vs. CGY
Myers played 27:06 in Byfuglien's absence, and expect that to continue with the Jets fighting for a playoff spot. If it hasn't been apparent yet, the 6-foot-8 giant has re-established himself as one of the league's best defensemen, temporarily supplanting Jacob Trouba for the title. Make no mistake, Myers is elite. The only problem is that the remaining games are crushing.

12. Shea Weber
Last week: 1 GP, 0-0-0, even, 5 SOG, 2 HIT, 1 BLK
This week: @COL, vs. MIN, @DAL
Weber was quite effective in his return from a lower-body injury against Dallas, and he should be healthy for the remaining three games. The Wild defend well but not their other two opponents.

13. Roman Josi
Last week: 2 GP, 0-0-0, plus-1, 6 SOG, 3 BLK
This week: @COL, vs. MIN, @DAL
Josi was held without a point in both of the Preds' one-goal losses last week but should be in the hunt to finish 3-0 this week as Peter Laviolette's squad tries to claim the division title and avoid a first-round matchup against the Blues or Blackhawks.

14. Jack Johnson
Last week: 3 GP, 2-0-2, even, 11 SOG, 2 PIM, 7 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: @NYR, vs. TOR, vs. BUF, @NYI
There's two juicy matchups bookended by two tougher teams, but the BJ's have had no fear since the return of Sergei Bobrovsky. As far as the rest of the season goes, the BJ's should be one of the league's top teams (11 wins in March, 2-0 in April), and it's no coincidence that Johnson and everyone else are really piling up the stats.

15. Mark Streit
Last week: 3 GP, 0-3-3, plus-2, 6 SOG, 2 PIM, 3 PPP, 7 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. NYI, vs. CAR, vs. OTT
Streit did all of his damage on the power play, and with the way the Flyers play, they're bound to draw some penalties (and take a few as well). All three games are juicy matchups and the fear of the Hamburgler is no more, so Streit should be a good play down the stretch.

16. Jake Muzzin
Last week: 3 GP, 1-1-2, plus-4, 7 SOG, 4 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: @VAN, @EDM, @CGY, vs. SJ
The Kings are pushing for a playoff spot, so unlike the other teams who have clinched, their key players are likely to play more minutes. As far as the Kings are concerned, every game is must-win. Muzzin will be licking his chops for another match against the Oilers and all the Kings are good assets to start this week.

17. Mike Green
Last week: 4 GP, 3-2-5, plus-3, 8 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 3 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. BOS, vs. NYR
Green had a big week and should finish off on a strong note, but he only has two games left to play. The Caps have already clinched, so head coach Barry Trotz may elect to rest a few players, though it doesn't take much for Green to score. He notched two points against Detroit playing just 15:34.

18. John Klingberg
Last week: 3 GP, 0-1-1, minus-3, 9 SOG, 1 PPP, 2 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: @SJ, @ANA, vs. NSH
That ugly minus-3 rating came against Calgary, and though he was held without a shot against Nashville, he still managed a point. With Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn firing on all cylinders it's good news for Klingberg. No defense should be able to keep the Stars off the board.

19. Duncan Keith
Last week: 4 GP, 2-0-2, even, 11 SOG, 1 PPP, 1 HIT, 7 BLK
This week: vs. MIN, @STL, @COL
Keith has just one assist in five games, giving him 35 on the year, a far cry from what he achieved the previous season, though it would've been difficult to match anyway. He does have 10 goals, however, but only Colorado seems to be the favorable matchup.

20. Michael Del Zotto
Last week: 3 GP, 1-2-3, minus-1, 4 SOG, 2 PPP, 11 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. NYI, vs. CAR, vs. OTT
The Flyers have already been eliminated from playoff contention but MDZ is playing for a big raise next season. The next three games will provide some points and he's in line to grab the majority of them.

21. Travis Hamonic
Last week: 2 GP, 0-2-2, plus-1, 10 SOG, 4 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: @PHI, @PIT, vs. CBJ
Hamonic's on a three-game point streak and has also scored six points in his past seven games. Though Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk have led the way with the Isles' turnaround, Hamonic has really grown into his own as a dependable two-way player as well.

22. John Carlson
Last week: 4 GP, 0-5-5, plus-1, 5 SOG, 2 PIM, 3 PPP, 3 HIT, 8 BLK
This week: vs. BOS, vs. NYR
Carlson feasted on the Habs and Sens with five points against them. With a playoff spot clinched and just two games to go, there's a chance Barry Trotz may elect to cut Carlson' ice time back a few minutes, so his upside isn't very good this week.

23. Niklas Kronwall
Last week: 4 GP, 0-1-1, even, 5 SOG, 4 PIM, 1 PPP, 4 HIT, 2 BLK
This week: vs. CAR, @MTL, @CAR
The Wings need to figure out that goaltending situation but with two games against Carolina, it shouldn't be a problem for this team to score. Kronwall has three points in eight career games against Carolina. He's just one shy of notching 10 goals but has fired only 99 SOG this season.

24. Tyson Barrie
Last week: 4 GP, 0-2-2, minus-3, 3 SOG, 1 PPP, 4 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: vs. NSH, vs. WPG, vs. CHI
Barrie didn't have a good week, save for a two-assist effort against Anaheim. The good news is that the Avs' remaining games are all at home, but the bad news is that they're against very strong squads. He's not a particularly strong play down the stretch.

25. Torey Krug
Last week: 3 GP, 0-0-0, plus-2, 5 SOG, 3 SOG, 2 BLK
This week: @WSH, @FLA, @TB
The Caps and Lightning have clinched, which may mean easier matchups, but the Bruins, winners of five straight, are squeaking by their opponents and haven't scored more than three goals in four straight games. The Bruins are never going to be an offensive juggernaut without Tyler Seguin, so be wary of Krug's potentially low production the rest of the way.

26. David Savard
Last week: 3 GP, 0-3-3, even, 5 SOG, 11 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: @NYR, vs. TOR, vs. BUF, @NYI
I think it's been mentioned enough times that the Jackets are red-hot and the defense has been really active on defense with Bobrovsky watching the net. Like Jack Johnson, Savard's a really strong play down the stretch given how easily things have come for the team recently.

27. Ryan McDonagh
Last week: 3 GP, 0-5-5, plus-3, 4 SOG, 2 PPP, 1 SHP, 1 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. CBJ, @NJ, vs. OTT, @WSH
Well, that came out of nowhere. Despite not registering a single shot in two of his past three games, McDonagh still collected a week-high five assists. Vigneault brings out the best of his players offensively, and clearly McDonagh isn't an exception. He's a fine play given his hot streak.

28. Alexander Edler
Last week: 4 GP, 0-1-1, minus-1, 11 SOG, 4 PIM, 1 PPP, 8 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: vs. LA, vs. ARI, vs. EDM
Edler has just seven goals and 24 points on the season, but it's more indicative of how the Canucks tend to score by committee with its forwards while the defense is more concerned with getting the puck out of the zone. He's been logging big minutes and it looks like that big multi-point game won't come at all, but the final two games should provide some value.

29. Ryan Suter
Last week: 2 GP, 0-1-1, minus-1, 5 SOG, 4 PIM, 1 PPP, 1 BLK
This week: vs. WPG, @CHI, @NSH, @STL
Suter's been his usual self – steady, reliable and really not that sexy of a fantasy asset. With four games on the slate, including three against the top-three seeds in their division on the road, Suter's going to have a pretty tough time.

30. Kris Russell
Last week: 3 GP, 0-2-2, plus-5, 5 SOG, 1 PPP, 2 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. ARI, vs. LA, @WPG
Russell's omission last week was a mea culpa, but the shot-blocking machine won't be forgotten this week with a game against Arizona. He doesn't score much, but he's certainly stepped up in Mark Giordano's absence. Even if Russell doesn't score, he's a beast with peripheral stats.

31. Alex Goligoski
Last week: 3 GP, 0-1-1, minus-3, 5 SOG, 6 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: @SJ, @ANA, vs. NSH
The good news is Goligoski has points in four of his past eight games. The bad news is Goligoski has finished with a minus rating in four of his past eight. Like the Ducks, the Stars have four guys who can score, which makes it difficult to decide, but the veteran Goligoski is the most dependable option. But, what the hell, you're trying to win your league, right? Roll with Goligoski only if Klingberg isn't available.

32. Simon Despres
Last week: 2 GP, 1-0-1, plus-1, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 6 HIT, 2 BLK
This week: vs. DAL, @ARI
Despres has been doing it all for the Ducks, even though he gets less ice time than he should playing on his less-preferred side since arriving from Pittsburgh. With two potentially high-scoring games, Ducks defensemen may be good plays, but who scores is anyone's guess.

33. Anton Stralman
Last week: 4 GP, 2-1-3, plus-2, 12 SOG, 2 PPP, 8 HIT, 6 BLK
This week: vs. NJ, vs. BOS
His play has been quite understated all year long (and even before that), but with 39 points on the season and a plus-23 rating, Stralman is more like a rock than lightning in a bottle. With two games remaining, though, he doesn't offer as much value.

34. Nick Leddy
Last week: 2 GP, 0-2-2, plus-2, 2 SOG, 1 HIT, 2 BLK
This week: @PHI, @PIT, vs. CBJ
Leddy has 33 points and will cap off his most productive season to date, but still doesn't offer much elite offense… yet. Leddy should still be the top option among Islanders defensemen, but not a top option across the league.

35. Andrei Markov
Last week: 3 GP, 0-3-3, even, 3 SOG, 2 PPP, 1 SHP, 3 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: vs. DET, @TOR
Head coach Michel Therrien rested Markov in the second half of a back-to-back against New Jersey but there's a chance he may rest Markov for another game, especially if the game is meaningless. It should be noted that Markov is on a five-game points streak.

36. Jacob Trouba
Last week: 2 GP, 0-1-1, even, 3 SOG, 2 PIM, 2 HIT, 1 BLK
This week: @MIN, @STL, @COL, vs. CGY
Trouba's ice time has taken a noticeable dip even without Byfuglien, mostly due to Myers. That hurts Trouba's value down the stretch, but he should still considered a good option with four games this week given his undeniable talent.

37. Jeff Petry
Last week: 4 GP, 3-1-4, plus-3, 6 SOG, 6 PIM, 9 HIT, 5 BLK
This week: vs. DET, @TOR
Finally! After getting rid of the shackles that is the Edmonton Oilers, Petry has delivered on a promise to provide some offense, and after an atrocious minus-4 game against Winnipeg, Petry's been on a tear. The Habs should try and give him more minutes to ride the hot streak and get him even more acclimated to pressure situations.

38. Marek Zidlicky
Last week: 4 GP, 0-1-1, even, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 2 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: vs. CAR, @MTL, @CAR
Consider the hype for Zidlicky in Detroit officially over. After starting off with a bang, Zidlicky and the Detroit defense have fizzled of late. Still, there's two games against Carolina that are quite intriguing, but the recommendation is softer than before.

39. Johnny Boychuk
Last week: 2 GP, 0-1-1, plus-2, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 HIT, 1 BLK
This week: @PHI, @PIT, vs. CBJ
Boychuk has just two points in his past 10 games, but that's quite normal for a shutdown defenseman. What's been very surprising this year is that Boychuk only has 12 PIM, after collecting more than 40 in four of his five seasons with Boston. With three games to play, he's an intriguing option, but certainly not a top one.

40. James Wisniewski
Last week: 2 GP, 0-0-0, even, 3 SOG, 4 PIM, 4 HIT, 1 BLK
This week: vs. DAL, @ARI
Forget about Bruce Boudreau's weird decision to make him a healthy scratch, Wisniewski and Simon Despres are the two Ducks worth owning for the final two games. None of the Ducks are really dependable, but if one of them will have a hand on offense, it's Wisniewski.

41. Hampus Lindholm
Last week: 2 GP, 0-1-1, plus-3, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 2 BLK
This week: vs. DAL, @ARI
Of the 50 players on this list, four of them are Ducks, which shows the relative strength of their team but also the inconsistency and variability on defense each night. None of them are reliable but all can pitch in.

42. Sami Vatanan
Last week: 2 GP, 0-0-0, minus-1, 6 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 HIT, 1 BLK
This week: vs. DAL, @ARI
It's hard to recommend any Ducks defenseman because there's so many of them, and even Vatanen, arguably the most polished offensively of them all, hasn't scored since his return. The Ducks are certainly the weakest among the division winners.

43. Zach Bogosian
Last week: 4 GP, 0-0-0, minus-2, 14 SOG, 4 PIM, 14 HIT, 9 BLK
This week: vs. CAR, @CBJ, vs. PIT
No points last week but check out those crazy peripherals. The Sabres minutes-muncher is still a good bet to collect a few points this week, but even if he doesn't, he gets plenty of ice time and is quite productive with it.

44. Morgan Rielly
Last week: 4 GP, 1-1-2, plus-2, 10 SOG, 2 PIM, 5 HIT, 4 BLK
This week: @CBJ, vs. MTL
Shocker! Leafs defenseman ends week with a positive plus-minus rating! Jokes aside, Rielly is a very good player on a really dysfunctional team and should be considered the top Leafs defensemen down the stretch and going forward once Dion Phaneuf leaves, whenever that is.

45. Rasmus Ristolainen
Last week: 3 GP, 1-3-4, plus-1, 5 SOG, 1 PPP, 1 HIT, 11 BLK
This week: vs. CAR, @CBJ, vs. PIT
Buffalo's franchise defenseman is looking to end his year on a strong note and couldn't have gotten hot at a better time. Though just 20 years old, he's been averaging well over 21 minutes per game for the Sabres, and certainly not by default.

46. Yannick Weber
Last week: 4 GP, 0-0-0, even, 11 SOG, 5 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. LA, vs. ARI, vs. EDM
Weber has very little value outside the power play, and other than firing eight shots against Chicago, he has done very little. The Canucks have a three-game home stand, two of which will come against the two worst teams in the conference, so there's still some hope. The Canucks, however, have a knack for losing to teams they're supposed to beat.

47. Justin Schultz
Last week: 4 GP, 1-1-2, minus-3, 6 SOG, 1 PPP, 2 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. LA, vs. SJ, @VAN
The good news is that Schultz's bottom line didn't get destroyed by the Kings when they pounded the Oilers 8-2, but the bad news is that it might happen again, and there's a strong chance the Oilers lose all three remaining games. Schultz is a good option if you're desperate for points, but not much else.

48. Adam Larsson
Last week: 3 GP, 0-2-2, even, 4 SOG, 2 PIM, 1 SHP, 8 HIT, 5 BLK
This week: vs. NYR, @TB, @FLA
Larsson played over 24 minutes in two of his past three games and still remains a good play despite playing on a poor team and with two games on the road. He's not exactly a bottom-of-the-barrel option either, as his prospects for next season already look quite good.

49. Aaron Ekblad
Last week: 4 GP, 1-1-2, even, 5 SOG, 1 PPP, 6 HIT, 3 BLK
This week: vs. BOS, vs. NJ
Ekblad would be nice to have for next season as a potential keeper, but there's little value in scoring with games against Tuukka Rask and Cory Schneider. There are better options available despite the draw of Ekblad's name.

50. Derrick Pouliot
Last week: 3 GP, 0-0-0, minus-3, 10 SOG, 1 HIT
This week: @OTT, vs. NYI, @BUF
Kris Letang (concussion) is unlikely to return for the rest of the season, and Pouliot's the big beneficiary. Marshall Johnston was Pouliot's coach during their days with the offensive juggernaut Portland Winterhawks, and a key reason why the Pens have steadfastly refused to deal Pouliot despite parting with Despres, Roberto Bortuzzo and Phillip Samuelsson. Pouliot's a great high-reward player down the stretch.