There are only three games tonight with the Wednesday Night Rivalry lull. It certainly does not help that some of the coldest teams in the NHL are going tonight. Selectivity is key. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders for the starting six of your NHL daily fantasy team:
C- Artem Anisimov, CHI
Artem Anisimov has surpassed all expectations as the center of the Chicago Blackhawks’ potent second line. The Anisimov-Panarin-Kane line has been one of the best lines in hockey for obvious reasons, with Kane running away with the Art Ross trophy. Anisimov had an assist amidst the rout of the Maple Leafs Monday. He grabs almost 20 minutes of ice time per night, which puts him on par with fellow center Jonathan Toews. Chicago’s second line could be seeing a lot of time against Ryan McDonagh tonight when he is not at full strength. Put Anisimov in your daily fantasy lineup. That line could explode on any given night.
LW- Chris Kreider, NYR
The Rangers have expected more from Chris Kreider this season. There’s reason to believe that the cavalry is coming. Kreider will be on the Rangers’ top line with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello, and on the top powerplay unit with Stepan and Yandle running the blueline. Derick Brassard and Zuccarello will be the forward line. The biggest knock against Kreider this season is his inconsistency. His shot totals have varied greatly, and he has not been able to string together a slew of games with notched points. Kreider will have to be on his game tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks. Get him in your starting six tonight.
RW- Charlie Coyle, MIN
Charlie Coyle played over 40 games under John Torchetti in the American Hockey League. A Bostonian just like his new coach, Coyle feels a kinship with Torchetti, and he will be a player to watch in Minnesota’s new system. He has said that he loves Torchetti’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense coaching style. It fits with Coyle’s grinding style of play. Coyle had a goal in Torchetti’s debut behind the bench as the Wild looked to have a fire lit under them. He has 16 goals and 13 assists on the year, on the wing with Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu.
D- Duncan Keith, CHI
Duncan Keith is the obvious choice of the day for your daily fantasy team. Keith has five points in his last three games, including a goal and four assists. Four of those five points have come on the man advantage. Chicago’s powerplay could really ramp up the pressure on the New York Rangers, who have had plenty of coverage issues on the penalty kill. Even though Marian Hossa will be out of the lineup for Chicago tonight, the Hawks still have plenty of weapons, Keith being one of them. He opens up Royal Road, making him one of the best fantasy defensemen in the league. Make the obvious choice tonight and get Keith in your lineup tonight.
D- Ryan Suter, MIN
Ryan Suter is another player like Coyle who could be liberated under John Torchelli. Mike Yeo’s powerplay system was a mess year after year. Suter, who should be one of the better powerplay defensemen in the Central, has not reached his full potential. In his first game with a new head coach, Suter had a pair of assists, one on the man advantage. The Wild could be a night-and-day different team with a new coach. When a more reserved, conservative coach gets replaced by a guy like Torchelli, the newfound energy could be a breath of fresh air for even the grittiest of veterans. It will be interesting to see how Suter grows and flourishes with a new coach. Put him in your starting six and find out.
G- Henrik Lundqvist, NYR
Henrik Lundqvist will have a little help on the way today, as Ryan McDonagh will be returning from a concussion tonight. The Rangers defense, while still not up to their lofty standards by any way, shape or form, has been getting better. Dan Girardi has improved to breaking even possession-wise his last seven games. Keith Yandle has been nothing but solid with his increased ice time. Lundqvist has been a wall at home, with an 18-3-2 record and a 2.12 goals-against average. Against Chicago, Lundqvist is 6-1-2 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. He may be going up against one of the top offenses in the league, but the Rangers have been stingy at home.
