On Friday we avoid the obvious temptation of picking on the Buffalo Sabres as they host the mighty Blackhawks of Chicago. While it would make sense to load up on Hawks it feels like a potential trap. We’ll take a flier on Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith but leave it at that.
Instead we have a good mix that focuses on picking on some of the worst defensive teams in the league.
Left Wing – Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens
Pacioretty is about the only offense that Les Glorieux has had with a team high 37 goals and 29 assists. Pacioretty has two goals and two assists in his last five games. Montreal is at New Jersey with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop.
Center – Joe Pavelski – San Jose Sharks
Pavelski has been one of the few bright spots on a San Jose team that has suffered a very disappointing season. Pavelski leads the Sharks with 36 goals and 31 assists on the season with a plus-nine. San Jose hosts a terrible Arizona team at 10 p.m. ET. Arizona ranks 28th in the NHL for both goals against and penalty killing.
Right Wing – T.J. Oshie – St. Louis Blues
St. Louis is at Dallas with puck drop at 8:30 p.m. ET. Dallas ranks 27th for goals against and 23rd for penalty killing. Oshie has been cold with just two assists in his last five games but has 19 goals and 33 assists on the season. We say Oshie is due.
Defenseman – Sami Vatanen – Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim hosts Colorado at 10 p.m. ET. Vatanen has quietly put together an impressive season with 12 goals and 35 assists with a plus-six. The Avalanche have slipped to 22nd for goals scored and 24th for goals against.
Defenseman – Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago is at Buffalo with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET. The woeful and tanking Sabres rank 30th for goal scoring and 29th for goals against. Keith has nine goals, 35 assists and a plus-12 on the season.
Goalie – Antti Niemi – San Jose Sharks
Niemi will be up against an Arizona team that ranks 29th in the NHL for goal scoring. Niemi has a .922 save percentage in three games this season against Arizona.
Sleeper – Francois Beauchemin – Anaheim Ducks
Beauchemin is an impressive defenseman that has 11 goals and 12 assists with a plus-20 and should get plenty of opportunity against Colorado.
