With ten games or less to play for all NHL teams, the pressure is reaching unbearable levels in NHL locker rooms and at millions of cubicles worldwide, as NHL fantasy owners spend more and more "company" time perfecting their fantasy lineups.  With that in mind, I've done more work than Jenna Jameson's plastic surgeon in an effort to find you three sleepers to make sure you have to wait at least three months for all your friends to pay you the fantasy championship money you'll be owed.  On that note, if you need any help collecting scratch, I'm more efficient than Anton Chigurh at persuading people to fulfill their obligations. 

Matt Pettinger | LW
Vancouver Canucks

Considering the 28 year old Edmonton native's never had more than 38 points in a season, and has only 11 points this year, you may be wondering why I'm recommending him?

Well, let me assure you it has nothing to do with Pettinger himself.  Just like a decent looking girl always looks borderline hot if she's wise enough to roll around with sexy ass friends; Matt is a sleeper thanks to his new mates. 

Recently, Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault formed a new line of Pettinger, Marcus Nasland and Brendan Morrison.  Matt's production should exponentially increase thanks to the switch. 

And I'm no doctor, but I think the treatment worked, as the trio put up three goals and six assists their first game together. 

"We wanted to try something to see if it couldn't kick-start our offense," Vigneault said. "Matt gives the line good speed. Mo (Morrison) and Nasly (Naslund) are really finding themselves."

Consider Pettinger the equivalent of that decent looking female you're not thrilled to be waking up next to the next morning, but you take satisfaction in the fact she's not a utter ghoul. 

Joe Corvo | D
Carolina Hurricanes

For this sleeper pick I may be extrapolating from one dominating performance a little too much, but it was quite a dominating performance.

Playing against his former team Sunday, Corvo had a hat trick in a 5-1 stomping of the Ottawa Senators. 

Commenting on the player he recently dealt Bryan Murray was impressed by Corvo,

"Obviously Joe got three goals, he had lots of opportunities," Murray said.  "Obviously (the power play) is his role. He didn't do that for us, but we probably didn't get that many power plays in a game when he was here."

Considering it takes time to gel with new teammates, especially on something as chemistry intensive as a power play unit, I feel this is a sign of things to come for Corvo, as opposed to just one excellent game. 

I will admit, odds are against him ever getting a hat trick for you, but he should be a solid producer for the season's remainder. 

Dan Ellis | G
Nashville Predators

It's been quite a year for the 27 year old Ellis.  After years toiling around in the minors in Crash Davis-esque obscurity, Ellis' play this year has earned him an extended stay at "the show."

Despite officially being the backup to the more popular Chris Mason, Ellis has better numbers: a 2.40 GAA to Mason's 2.94 and a .920 save percentage to Chris' .899. 

The only stat they're tied in is shutouts at four, but Ellis got his in just 36 starts, as opposed to 47 for the "starter."

It could have just been some fluke early season games that got Dan these numbers, but he's only gotten better as the kitchen's gotten hotter.  After Sunday's eye catching performance Sunday against the best team in the league, Ellis has only allowed two goals or less in four of his past six starts. 

Suffice it to say, Ellis would unquestionably be Annie Savoy's pick to sacrifice herself too, if she were cool enough to be a hockey groupie.   

Count on Dan getting the majority of the starts down the stretch as the Preds try to steal the final playoff spot in the West. 

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Écrit près Charlie Danoff -- Homepage