Plenty of NHL Daily Fantasy players to choose from tonight as there are eight games on the schedule. Let’s look around at some of the top candidates for your starting six:
C- Joe Thornton, SJS
Jumbo Joe is finally getting back into a groove. One of the most coveted NHL Daily Fantasy hockey players of our generation is picking up his play to a point where he is once again on pace for 60 points in a season. He has 7 points his last five games, including 4 assists on 12 goals scored the last two games for the Sharks. Thornton may be 36, but he still has one of the best eyes for assists in the game. Chalk it up to veteran wisdom. Pick him up for tonight’s game against the Jets.
LW- Brock Nelson, NYI
If the Islanders are to get their offense going, they need to get Brock Nelson on the scoresheet. Nelson is a staple on the Islanders’ powerplay, causing havoc down by the goaltender and using his terrific strength to put himself in great position for a deflection or rebound. He has 14 goals on the season, but only two have come on the powerplay thus far. He has a goal and an assist in his last three games, so perhaps the corner is going to be turned for the young Nelson. With Okposo reportedly still battling illness and John Taveras going through a rough patch scoring wise, it is all hands on deck for the Islanders. As they go up against a porous Blue Jackets defense, the offense could easily bust loose tonight. Nelson might be a good sleeper pick tonight.
RW- Patrick Kane, CHI
I am fully aware that this is a cop-out and a half. But come on. Kane has been unbelievable this season, especially during this win streak the Blackhawks are on. In Chicago’s seven wins, Kane has 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points. So, make that 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points. At the halfway point. Man alive. So as the Hawks take on the Predators, against whom #88 has scored twice this season in two games, do whatever it takes to get Kane in your lineup tonight.
D- Anton Stralman, TBL
Stralman is one of the most underrated defensemen in the National Hockey League. His puck control is a thing of beauty, and it has finally started to show on the stat sheet of late. The Swede has 6 points in his last five games- a goal and 5 assists. It brings his season total up to 4 goals and 16 assists, putting him on pace for a career-high 40 points. Stralman’s previous high was last season (30). The Stralman-Hedman pairing on Tampa Bay’s blueline is one of the best pairings in the league, and they are clicking at a level that made them Eastern Conference Champions last season. Be sure to put the Swedish God of Corsi in your starting six tonight.
D- Justin Faulk, CAR
Speaking of defenseman that deserve more recognition: Justin Faulk. Faulk doesn’t get much love as far as national attention, probably because his team is middle of the pack and his market is small. Faulk has quietly amassed 14 goals and 17 assists though this season. A whopping 12 of his goals have come on the powerplay. He’s a NHL Daily Fantasy owner’s dream, and yet he seems to fly under the radar for the most part. Though he’s been quiet of late, the Hurricanes will be looking to Faulk to lead them against the Penguins tonight.
G- Louis Domingue, ARI
Domingue has made the most of his shot since coming to the NHL. The Arizona Coyotes were probably interviewing the arena custodians to see if they could fill the goaltender position after watching Mike Smith and Anders Lindback stand in the crease the first few months. To paraphrase Harry Doyle from the movie “Major League,” Mike Smith has since gone down with an injury, eliminating a big hole at the goaltender position. Cold, yes. Accurate, very yes. The 23-year old Domingue is 6-0-2 in his last eight starts. He has a .936 save percentage on the year and a 2.08 goals against average. He even has two shutouts already under his belt. He’s been just another young standout on this upstart Arizona team. Going up against the Edmonton Oilers tonight, the ‘Yotes have a real good chance at getting Domingue another win. Put him in your starting six.
