There are only four games tonight, so it’s slim pickings for your NHL Daily Fantasy team. Let’s take a look at some candidates for your starting six tonight:
C- Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA
Huberdeau is one of those players who scores in bunches, racking up multi-point games. It’s a trait shared by fellow Floridian player Steven Stamkos from a fantasy owner’s perspective. Huberdeau has 5 points in his last 3 games. Five of his last 6 games with a registered point have been multi-point games. The former first rounder has taken tremendous strides forward this year for the Panthers, which has helped them greatly over this 12-game tear they’re on. He’s on pace to set career highs in assists, points and shots on goal. The most telling change in Huberdeau’s game is the confidence he exhibits when entering the zone. The quality of the team he’s on likely has a lot to do with that, but he has taken his role with a newfound fury this year. As he takes on a Canucks team that probably won’t be able to keep up with his speed, put him in your starting six tonight.
LW- Rick Nash, NYR
Rick Nash is one of the most valuable fantasy assets a person can have. His time spent in all three zones for the Rangers makes him a threat at all times. Nash has five points in his last five games. This is including a three-assist night against Dallas that was one of his best games all season. Since center Derek Stepan’s return from injury (and return to relevance), Nash has generated more opportunities shorthanded, which has become a trademark of his time in New York. Nash has become much more potent these past few games. This is not to say he’s been playing poorly, because he hasn’t. He’s just finally starting to get the breaks. He’s being sprung for more odd-man rushes and breakaways. He’s getting more bounces. He’s finally allowed to touch the puck on the man advantage instead of just being planted in the crease. Nash’s shooting percentage was at 3% not long ago. It is now at 9.9%. When he gets hot, Rick Nash gets very hot.
RW- Jimmy Hayes, BOS
Jimmy Hayes is really starting to pick up his play for the Boston Bruins in David Krecji’s absence. Weird that Hayes is the one replacing Krecji’s prodction seeing as they are very different players, but nonetheless, the Bruins need goals badly. Hayes grabbed his first career hat trick just before the dawn of 2016 against the Senators. Since then he has a goal and an assist in four games. More importantly though, he saw a significant bump in ice time last game against the Sens. In his previous few games, Hayes averaged about 13 minutes. Against Ottawa he was used for over 18. Increased time on the attack could be bad news for the New York Rangers, who can be bullied down low. Hayes does a tremendous job of getting to the net and using his big frame. And if there is one thing the Rangers have struggled at this season (note: there are many), it is clearing bodies in front. Give Hayes a start against his brother Kevin tonight.
D- Brent Burns, SJS
Burns may just deserve a start because his gorgeous goal last game against the Jets. But if you want to examine him on a larger body of work, Burns has 9 points in his last 6 games. Five of those points are goals, giving him 17 on the year. He is one of the best shooters at the defense position. So much so that most of the past few years have been devoted to deciding whether he’s too good for the blueline and play right wing instead. Burns loves to create his own shot, and his wrist shot is positively lethal. Give #88 a start tonight. He should be starting every night.
D- Keith Yandle, NYR
Though his name is all over the league in trade deadline rumors, Keith Yandle has easily been the New York Rangers’ best defenseman this season hands down. Yandle has 2 goals and 20 assists on the season. Despite his incredible playmaking ability, he still is only on the second powerplay unit and will be saddled with possession black hole Dan Girardi on the third pairing tonight against Boston. Even while only getting bottom-pairing minutes, Yandle is on pace to be the highest-scoring Rangers’ defenseman in a decade (Tom Poti, anyone?). When Alain Vigneault inevitably mixes up the pairings mid-game to get Yandle some time with McDonagh and/or Boyle, look for Yandle to come alive. Get him in your starting six.
G- Roberto Luongo, FLA
Roberto Luongo (19-11-3) will be going for win number 11 in a row personally. His team will be going for the baker’s dozen. They will be going up against the Vancouver Canucks, a subpar possession team at best. They sit at 23rd in the league with a 47.6% corsi rating at 5v5, and their powerplay isn’t scary enough for that stat to be remotely justified. Luongo will assuredly be motivated by playing in his former city, too. He’s got a very relaxed sense of humor peppered with self-deprecation, but when push comes to shove, Lu is one of the most competitive goalies in the league. There will be a little extra fire between the pipes tonight for the Cats.
