The Mighty Ducks are in the midst of a playoff charge, and for all intents and purposes, it has been beyond successful. 

Anaheim has won 11 of their last 14 games, and despite beginning the season winning just eight of their first 23, they find themselves quite secure in a playoff spot. 

Much of their success can be attributed to the resurgence of Teemu Selanne and his chemistry with Andy McDonald, plus the heart and soul of the team Scott Niedermayer finally adjusting to the new system. All three of the aforementioned players began the season a little slowly, but really stepped things up at the quarter pole. 

McDonald had 10 points in his first 20 games, but 59 in 53 since. Selanne had 26 in 34 to start, but 52 in 37 since then. Niedermayer had 17 points in 28 games to kick off the season, but has really come on with 41 points in the last 45 games. 

The last piece of the puzzle fell into place a couple of weeks ago, when Francois Beauchemin was replaced on the point on the powerplay as Niedermayer's partner. His replacement? Hotshot rookie Ryan Getzlaf, whose wicked and deadly-accurate right-handed slapshot meshes perfectly with Niedermayer's left. 

The 20-year-old 19th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft is still getting the same six or seven minutes of even strength ice time that he has been getting all season long, but suddenly his ATOI with the man advantage has shot up from a minute or two to six or seven minutes. This has translated into a ten points in six games run. 

Although the Ducks PP has stumbled over the past few games, it is a temporary blip that will right itself in a game or two. In the meantime, the future for Getzlaf looks bright, and his fantasy value in the playoffs just increased from near-zero to a decent late round pick in most formats.

Meanwhile...

...Steven Reinprecht has been scoring in droves lately with his new team in Phoenix. The 29-year-old center has 14 points in his last seven games...

...When Nashville's Marek Zidlicky returns from his shoulder injury early this week, his powerplay partner Kimmo Timonen should break out of his slump that has seen him go pointless in his last six games. With the next four games being against either Chicago or St. Louis, the Preds have an opportunity to score some goals.

Mar. 27, 2006 - Bang For Your Buck
Mar. 20, 2006 - Deadline 2006 – Fantasy Fallout, Part 2
Mar. 13, 2006 - Deadline 2006 – Fantasy Fallout, Part 1
Mar. 06, 2006 - Trade Deadline Looms II
Feb. 27, 2006 - Break Over, Deadline Looms
Feb. 06, 2006 - Risky Picks
Jan. 30, 2006 - The Future of Boston
Jan. 23, 2006 - High-Flying Canucks
Jan. 16, 2006 - Home Sweet Home
Jan. 09, 2006 - He's Baaack!
Jan. 02, 2006 - Young Pens Get Their Shot
Dec. 19, 2005 - The 'New' Sabres
Dec. 12, 2005 - Shark Outlook Upgraded to 'Buy'
Dec. 05, 2005 - Rejoice Over Recent Movement
Nov. 28, 2005 - The Most Underrated Fantasy Player
Nov. 21, 2005 - Chemistry in Chicago
Nov. 14, 2005 - Thrashers the Net
Nov. 07, 2005 - King of the L.A. blueline
Oct. 31, 2005 - October's Best and Worst Fantasy Players
Oct. 24, 2005 - Wild About Scoring
Oct. 17, 2005 - Striking Gold – Thanks to Linemates
Oct. 10, 2005 - A Surprise Fantasy Asset
Oct. 03, 2005 - Last of the Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 26, 2005 - More Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 19, 2005 - Late Picks to Make or Break Your Pool Team

Dobber's Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com