We pick on the slumping Detroit Redd Wings, the offensively challenged Florida Panthers, and have a Spoiler Alert sleeper pick for our Sunday Fantasy lineup.
Left Wing – Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Washington is at the Detroit Red Wings with coverage on NHLUS starting at 5 p.m. ET. Washington has won seven out of their last nine while Detroit has lost seven out of their last nine. Detroit ranks 16th in the NHL for goals against and 18th for penalty killing. It all adds up for a potentially big day for Ovechkin. The Great Eight is having perhaps his best season ever with 52 goals, 27 assists, and a plus-11 and has the hot hand with five goals and one assist in his last five games.
Center – Niklas Backstrom – Washington Capitals
Backstrom has cooled off with just two points in his last five games but should get his share of chances against the reeling Red Wings. Backstrom has had a quietly good year with 18 goals, 56 assists, and a plus-three.
Right Wing – Troy Brouwer – Washington Capitals
Brouwer has 20 goals, 19 assists, and is a plus-nine on the season with two goals, one assist and a plus-three in his last five games. Brouwer rates a solid chance to reach the scoresheet against the leaking Red Wings defense.
Defenseman – P.K. Subban – Montreal Canadiens
Montreal as at the Florida Panthers with faceoff time set for 5 p.m. ET. Subban has picked up his play with two goals and three assists in his last five games to add to an impressive season in which he has scored 15 goals, 42 assists with a plus 19. Subban is capable of dominating against the offensively challenged Cats.
Defenseman – John Carlson – Washington Capitals
Carlson has been a big part of the Capitals resurgence with four assists in his last five games to build on a strong year in which he has scored 11 goals, 40 assists, and with a plus-nine.
Goalie – Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Florida ranks 25th in the NHL for goal scoring and 27th for the power play which does not bode well when going up against the NHL’s top goaltender. Price has dipped with a .910 save percentage in his last five games which pales in comparison to his season mark of .935. Due.
Sleeper – Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto rallied for a 4-3 comeback overtime win against Ottawa on March 28 and that puts their matchup with the Sens on Spoiler Alert. Faceoff time is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Kessel has five assists in his last five games.
