New York Islanders-Rangers Fantasy Team

Jan 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) carries the puck out of the zone against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. New York defeated Columbus 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy Lineup

Forwards

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Betsided

1. Nash-Tavares-Okposo
2. Strome-Brassard-Zuccarello
3. Kreider-Stepan-Grabner
4. Martin-Moore-Hagelin

Defense

1. McDonagh-Boychuk
2. Leddy-Girardi
3. Yandle-Staal

Goalies

1. Lundqvist
2. Halak

Scratches

1. Hayes
2. Nielsen
3. de Haan

Coach

1. Alain Vigneault

PP Units

1. Okposo-Tavares-Nash-Boychuk-Yandle
2. Zuccarello-Brassard-Strome-Stepan-Leddy

PK Units

1. Moore-Hagelin-McDonagh-Boychuk
2. Stepan-Grabner-Leddy-Girardi
3. Martin-Nash-Yandle-Staal

Biggest Snubs

Feb 24, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) high fives the bench after scoring during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. New York Islanders won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis
2. Nelson
3. Talbot
4. Clutterbuck
5. Klein
6. Hamonic
7. Lee
8. Cizikas
9. Bailey

The goal in putting together this roster is not to take necessarily take the best players, it is to form the most complete team.

Of course bringing the best talent together is the goal, but for instance, guys like Matt Martin, Dominic Moore, Carl Hagelin and Michael Grabner must find their way onto the roster for what they bring towards the bottom of the lineup.

The top line was pretty easy. Tavres centering Kyle Okposo, who he’s very familiar with, and Nash, provides a nasty combination. Okposo serves as the dirty man while Tavares and Nash would put together too many highlights to keep track of.

The second line was the toughest to come up with. Three different centers were considered: Derrick Brassard, Derek Stepan and Frans Nielsen. Brassard is our choice though with his 52 points on the season (2nd on the team). Putting his familiar running mate in Mats Zuccarello next to him and a young finisher in Ryan Strome is beautiful.

Line three gives a great combination of offense and defense. Stepan and Michael Grabner forms a phenomenal defensive shutdown tandem, while Chris Kreider would represent a power winger on the left side.

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• Islanders Zach Parise Was Quiet in Return to Minnesota

The last line is all-star worthy when grinders are considered. Matt Martin is one of the more valuable members of the Islanders, as is Dominic Moore and Carl Hagelin. I don’t think anybody would ever score on that line – the combination of toughness with Martin and speed awareness with Hagelin is just downright nasty.

As far as the defensive parings are concerned, I tried to make an even 3-3 split between both teams, but just couldn’t do it.

Ryan McDonagh and Johnny Boychuk present a wicked top pairing. The only reason Nick Leddy finds himself on the second pairing is to even out the righties and lefties along the blueline.

Cam Talbot could be the biggest snub of the team with the way he’s played as of late. Can’t argue with taking Jaroslav Halak as the backup.

Marty St. Louis can’t crack the list. Although he’s scored 20 goals, watching him this year makes you realize the end is creeping up for the 39-year old.

Leaving off Travis Hamonic, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey was very difficult – as was scratching Frans Nielsen and the burgeoning stud that is Kevin Hayes.

Next: The Fantasy Draft