Before we start, I want to just take a moment to brag. Yesterday’s NHL daily fantasy lineup, to my estimation, might have had the best night production of the year. The five skaters (Couture, Eaves, Lucic, Gostisbehere and Vatanen) combined for five goals and four assists. Steve Mason stopped 33 of 34 shots for the win.
So the law of averages says no one will score tonight, clearly. But we’re going to give it a go anyway. Here are the prime contenders for your NHL daily fantasy team’s starting six:
C- Vincent Trocheck, FLA
Vincent Trocheck has been the centerman for the Panthers’ hottest line. Depth scoring has been a need for Florida even with their success, and their middle lines have been picking up the slack. The Trocheck-Jokinen-Smith line combined for three goals and five assists in their 7-4 win over Buffalo. Trocheck in particular has 11 points in his last seven games. He has three goals and five assists on 13 shots in his last five games in particular. The Panthers will be taking on the St. Louis Blues tonight in what is sure to be a tight contest. Trocheck’s playmaking ability coupled with the speed and puck movement of Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith will be integral to their success tonight.
LW- Calle Jarnkrok, NSH
Calle Jarnkrok’s promotion to the top line has helped his scoring pace along. He is on a three-game point streak, with two goals and an assist. Jarnkrok is part of a trio with Ryan Johansen and James Neal. While the Preds’ top line has been operating at a successful rate since the addition of Johansen, the bounces have been going their way for the most part. Jarnkrok’s two goals were born out of a rebound chance on the rush and a fortunate bounce off the glove of Martin Jones, respectively. Most importantly, Jarnkrok’s success lengthens Nashville’s lineup, as it allows Filip Forsberg and Mike Ribeiro to work under less pressure on the second line. Nashville will be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Jarnkrok will be a nice under-the-radar pick to grab a point or two.
RW- Dustin Brown, LAK
The Kings have had a lot of difficulty stringing together multiple wins in a row. After a 9-2 rout of the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles was taken to the woodshed early by the Islanders, falling 5-2. If history is any indication, the Kings should rebound tonight. The Kings and Rangers split last year’s two meetings, with the Kings owning possession all game. The latter match, a 4-2 Kings victory, was not nearly as close as the score indicates. Anze Kopitar had three points in the two games. Dustin Brown had two. The Kings’ ability to dominate puck play, led by their top line, will cause fits for the Rangers. New York will be without Henrik Lundqvist tonight as well, giving him the night off for Antti Raanta. The Kings will light the lamp tonight, and Brown will be a key factor. Brown has three goals and two assists on 13 shots on goal his last four games.
D- T.J. Brodie, CGY
T.J. Brodie is one of the more talented young puckmovers in the Western Conference. He has 26 assists on the year, five in his last four games. Brodie’s talent is very similar to that of Keith Yandle on the New York Rangers- he has the innate ability to see a play develop two passes in advance. He does a great job at making the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the goal. The Calgary Flames are taking on the Arizona Coyotes tonight. The Yotes have allowed 23 goals in their last five games, going 0-4-1 in that stretch. Arizona’s defense has disappeared, with their most noticeable fault being allowing far too much time and space at the top of the zone. Brodie should thrive on that tonight.
D- P.K. Subban, MTL
It’s abbreviation day on your daily fantasy blueline. P.K. Subban has been the leader of the Canadiens’ resurgence. He is on a seven-game point streak and has been an absolute bear on the puck. His footwork has been nothing short of ridiculous, and he should skate rings around the Sabres tonight. In his point streak, Subban has two goals and eight assists. He has been incredibly fun to watch. He’s an easy pick for your starting six tonight.
G- Petr Mrazek, DET
Petr Mrazek, much like Shayne Gostisbehere, is a staple in my daily fantasy lineup for good reason. Mrazzle Dazzle is the owner of the best save percentage (.934) and the best goals against average (1.94) in the National Hockey League. He has a 21-10-4 record. He has allowed just two goals in his last three starts, all wins. Neither goal was scored at even strength. In fact, he has just three even-strength goals allowed in his last six starts. That is insanity. While Braden Holtby is grabbing all the attention for his potentially historic season racking up wins, Mrazek deserves a lot of credit and at least a finalist spot in the Vezina voting if he can keep it up. The Red Wings are taking on the slumping Avalanche at home tonight. Make sure you give Mrazek the start.
