With six games on the docket tonight, let’s take a look at the top contenders for the starting six of your NHL daily fantasy team:
C- Aleksander Barkov, FLA
Aleksander Barkov has gotten right back on track after missing time with a concussion. He has seven points in seven games since returning, with four goals and three assists. He also has 19 shots on goal in that stretch and is back to his usual 18-20 minutes of ice time per night. Barkov is an essential piece to the Panthers’ lineup, rounding out the top line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr. He also runs the point on the top powerplay unit. Florida is going up against the Ottawa Senators tonight in a game where they will need to score in order to win. Roberto Luongo has been off in his last three starts, which heightens the already dire need for goal support up and down the Cats’ lineup. Look for Barkov to continue his success tonight.
LW- Jason Zucker, MIN
Jason Zucker is back in the Minnesota Wild’s lineup after spending time on the injured reserve with a concussion. In his first two games back, Zucker recorded six shots on goal in 20+ shifts. He was one of the more vocally supportive players when the Wild were granted two full days off from hockey activities, telling the team’s website that the break was “awesome.” The trap that the Wild will have to avoid falling into is coming out flat after the long break. It has happened before, considering they are 0-6 in their last six games with three or more days off in between. Zucker will be integral to sparking the Minnesota offense tonight against Edmonton, skating on the second line with Thomas Vanek and Mikael Granlund. Get him in your starting six tonight.
RW- Sven Andrighetto, MTL
Sven Andrighetto is the sleeper pick of the night. His ice time has seen a sharp increase, rising to about 19 minutes in his last couple of games from what was more a 12-15 minute range. He grabbed a pair of assists in Tuesday’s game against the Stars in 19:07. The 22-year-old Andrighetto is a smart pickup by virtue of his linemates, who have been hot of late. Max Pacioretty has a goal and three assists in his last two games with Andrighetto on his line, and Alex Galchenyuk has six goals and an assist in his last four games. The Habs’ top line has been their most effective, and they should be hungry tonight against the Sabres on home ice. Montreal has been a safe haven for the Canadiens this season. Put Andrighetto in your starting six tonight.
D- Brent Burns, SJS
Apparently the San Jose Sharks are having a fan vote for their goal song next season. Let me go on record and say that if “Jump Around” is not the winner, we as a society have failed. But I digress. Brent Burns has continued his dominant season with a five-game point streak with four goals and five assists. He is a whopping +10 in that span with 24 shots on goal. Tonight the Sharks will be at home against the New Jersey Devils. San Jose is the heavy favorite, with good reason. Keep an eye on Burns as he inches closer to his own franchise record for point streak by a defenseman.
D- Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF
Buffalo and Montreal will likely be locked in a high-scoring shootout tonight. Neither team has a particularly hot goaltender. What Buffalo does have in their arsenal is a gifted young puck-moving defenseman in Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen, only 21, is a smooth skating Finnish player with an eye for the net. He has nine goals and 28 assists in his second full season with the NHL club. He has a goal and an assist in his last four games with 15 shots on goal. He’s a fun player to watch, and is more often than not at the beating heart of the Sabres’ offensive attack.
G- Devan Dubnyk, MIN
Devan Dubnyk will be going up against his former franchise tonight as the Minnesota Wild host the Edmonton Oilers. Dubnyk’s time in Edmonton was less than stellar, and he has taken his frustration out on the Oilers before for it. The 29-year-old is 6-1-0 against Edmonton in his career with a ridiculous 1.28 goals-against average. He is 4-1 in his last five games overall with a .917 save percentage, though he was pulled from his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots. He will surely be much better tonight, as he always is when facing the Oilers. Put Dubnyk in the cage tonight for your daily fantasy team.
