There are four games to choose your starting six from tonight. There’s potential for some high-scoring tonight, so let’s break down the top candidates for your NHL daily fantasy team tonight:
C- Ryan Getzlaf, ANA
Ryan Getzlaf has stepped up in a big way for the surging Anaheim Ducks. They have now won five straight, with Getzlaf contributing a goal and five assists along the way. Their success has put them back in the playoff picture, jockeying with their opponent tonight, the Arizona Coyotes. Getzlaf has had a lot of difficulty finding the back of the net this season, tallying just his fourth goal of the season last night against the Los Angeles Kings. He has thrived even despite being apart from Corey Perry. David Perron and Chris Stewart now flank Getzlaf. One of the most dominant centermen in the league is finally starting to hit his stride. Make sure he’s in your daily fantasy lineup on his way up.
LW- Chris Kunitz, PIT
The Penguins’ top lines have been realizing their full potential- just in time for Evgeni Malkin to miss the next two games against Tampa Bay and Florida. Now the pressure is on the 14-87-72 connection to deliver some goals, which is exactly what they have done. Kunitz had a goal and two assists Tuesday night against Ottawa. Sidney Crosby netted a hat trick. Kunitz is looking to extend his point streak to four games, having six points in his last three games. When it rains it pours for Kunitz, especially since much of his success depends on how hot his partner-in-crime Sidney Crosby is. Since Crosby is doing just fine for himself, Kunitz will too. Get him in your starting six as the Pens take on the Bolts tonight.
RW- Nikita Kucherov, TBL
I’m just going to say this so it is on the record: Nikita Kucherov is a monster. Kucherov already has tallied 21 goals and 22 assists on the year. The prospect of him only getting better as he gets older is pretty scary. He is only 22-years old. I touched on it in my daily breakdown, but Kucherov’s work on the powerplay has been stellar. He wired a beautiful pass to Tyler Johnson for a goal in classic Lightning fashion. He received the puck at the left point, took a few steps in to the top of the circle, and fired a slap-pass right to Johnson’s stick. It’s a play that is broken out when Victor Hedman is running the point as well. Kucherov has three goals and three assists total in his last five games. The Lightning are set to get into an offensive shootout with the Penguins tonight. Be sure to have Kucherov in your daily fantasy lineup.
D- Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
Big Buff is going to be hearing his name a lot this month as his name is sure to be kicked around in trade negotiations. If he is open to be moved, he certainly is doing wonders for his trade value. Byfuglien has four goals and an assist in his last three games, including an absolute bomb dropped from the point against Dallas. Byfuglien is good for other stats as well in the fantasy realm, namely penalty minutes, hits, and shots on goal. He contributes in so many categories, it’s hard to leave him off your roster.
D- Ryan Murray, CBJ
Ryan Murray is not exactly a big scorer, but he’s been playing well enough to where it’s worth at least considering. Murray is in his third season, second full one, with the Blue Jackets. He has four goals and 13 assists on the year. He picked up an assist last night in the Jackets’ shootout win over the Canucks. Murray is similar to Byfuglien in that he contributes several complimentary stats that make him worth a look. He sees so much ice time a night, he’s bound to register at least a couple shots on goal, he averages two penalty minutes per game his last five games, and his +/- is not too shabby either considering how bad of a team he’s on. I’m anticipating the Jackets to pull out a victory tonight, so I’m expecting Murray to contribute in at least some way on the scoresheet. Take him as your sleeper pick tonight.
G- Connor Hellebuyck, WPG
Hellebuyck has shown that he is human in his last few games. But even this early in his career, he deserves the benefit of the doubt since the whole team is struggling. He is 1-4 in his last five starts, while the Jets are 1-4 in their last five games at home. The Jets played much better in their loss against Dallas Tuesday night, and they are going up against a Hurricanes team that looked rough around the edges Wednesday. Winnipeg came back from the break looking much sharper, and that could easily translate to a 3-1 or 4-1 victory tonight. Look for Hellebuyck to get the W tonight.
