Happy Saturday, everyone. There’s a very deep fantasy pool tonight with 10 games throughout the day. Let’s have a look around and see the prime contenders for your NHL Daily Fantasy starting six tonight.
C- Claude Giroux, PHI
Claude Giroux was a dominant force in the Flyers’ last game against the Boston Bruins. He and linemate Jakub Voracek both had three points a piece. It’s actually pretty funny to think that both Giroux and Voracek are on pace for 60 points, yet Philly would probably like even more out of their dynamic duo. They are both lethal scorers, yet they only average 17 goals between them on the season. Giroux hasn’t logged a point against the Rangers this season, but his upgraded play in his last few games makes him a definite candidate for your starting six tonight.
LW- J.T. Miller, NYR
Miller has gotten the shaft more often than not when it comes to getting Alain Vigneault’s benefit of the doubt. In the past two years, he had his work ethic openly questioned. He has been a healthy scratch for inferior players like Tanner Glass. He has had to scratch and claw his way into and up the depth chart, but it could be argued that J.T. Miller has been one of the Rangers’ best forwards this season. He has 8 goals and 12 assists on the year. He will be playing today on the Rangers’ top line with Mats Zuccarello and Derrick Brassard against the Flyers. If Miller can get a good amount of ice time with that unit without being juggled out, he’d be a good sleeper pick tonight on the wing.
RW- Ryan Johansen, NSH
Ryan Johansen has been consistently on a line with James Neal since arriving in Nashville, and the two have developed a good amount of chemistry. Johansen has six points in his four games in a Predators uniform. He had a three-point night against Winnipeg the other night. As the Predators go up against a struggling Wild team, Johansen will be looking for his third multi-point night in five games.
D- Drew Doughty, LAK
In a game that is most likely going to be dominated by the Kings as far as shot ratio goes, it stands to reason that one of the best possession players on the ice should get a fantasy start. Enter Drew Doughty. Doughty is a force of nature when it comes to shot suppression, and he is the leading scorer among Los Angeles defensemen. He and defensive partner Jake Muzzin have combined for 47 points this season. It’s actually hard to find a fantasy stat where Doughty does not excel. Six of his seven goals have come on the powerplay, he is a +16 in +/-, and it’s been a long time since he missed a game. Put the perennial Norris candidate in your lineup tonight.
D- Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJS
Vlaic got off to a slow start scoring-wise, but he has been on a tear since the start of December, he has been on a tear. Almost half of his points on the season have come within the last six weeks. The Sharks will be taking on the Dallas Stars tonight at home, and it should be a high-scoring game. Even though the Stars have been cold, their offense could erupt at any point. San Jose has scored 18 goals in their last four games, too. Expect Vlasic to be a key contributor tonight in a game that could easily be 5-4 either way.
G- Jonathan Quick, LAK
Jonathan Quick is 7-0-1 in his last eight starts. He has only allowed more than two goals since December 26th, with a shutout mixed in. The Kings have gotten back to stingy, possession-dominant hockey and it has made them an incredibly hard team to beat. The Kings will be going up against the Ottawa Senators tonight, who are one of the worst possession teams in hockey. The Sens are also 1-9 in their last 10 road games. This should be a decisive, clear-cut victory for the Kings, and a great night for Quick in net. With plenty of good goalies to choose from today, Quick is your best choice.
