Rise and shine! There are only three games on the schedule for today with the first game starting at noon Eastern Standard Time, so make sure you get those daily fantasy lineups set early! Here are the top contenders for the starting six for your NHL daily fantasy team:
C- Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS
Evgeny Kuznetsov has been on an absolute tear, centering one of the most dominant possession lines in the East and peraps the league. Kuznetsov has Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams skating on his wing, and they have been connecting for plenty of opportunities. In his last five games, Kuznetsov has eight assists. Yesterday against the Devils, Kuznetsov beautifully made a blind pass to the front of the net while circling behind. Williams took the shot, and Burakovsky buried the rebound. Today the Capitals are taking on the Flyers. Make sure you have Kuznetsov in your lineup.
LW- Andre Burakovsky, WAS
Speaking of the Capitals’ second line. Andre Burakovsky has six goals in his last five games. He has been in the right place at the right time, and has been a stellar generator of offense. The chemistry he and Kuznetsov exemplify is nothing short of brilliant. Burakovsky has found a home on the Capitals’ second line after spending the first half of the season bouncing from the fourth and third lines. He even was promoted to the top unit while Alex Ovechkin served his All-Star suspension, where he registered a goal and a whopping 10 shots on goal. It’s a cop out to put two linemates together in your starting six, but with only three games to choose from, it’s worth it. Get Burakovsky in your starting six.
RW- Brendan Gallagher, MTL
Brendan Gallagher was one of the more impressive forwards for the Montreal Canadiens yesterday as they picked up their first win by multiple goals in seemingly forever. Montreal put the hurting on the Edmonton Oilers, blowing them out 5-1. Gallagher was a pest all night, utilizing his speed to force turnovers on the forecheck and creating transition offense. He finished the night with a powerplay goal and an assist, with two shots on goal and a +3. Gallagher’s hustle alone earns him a spot in your daily fantasy lineup as the Habs take on the Carolina Hurricanes. His kind of forechecking can force a lot of errors, much like what we saw on Tuesday with the Canes against the Calgary Flames.
D- Justin Faulk, CAR
Justin Faulk finally snapped his scoring drought Friday against the Jets, crashing the net to put home his 15th of the year. Twelve of his goals have come on the powerplay, which puts him at second in the league. Faulk has been getting himself in the right place at the right time, it’s simply the law of averages that has been bringing his shooting percentage down. If and when he finds his rhythm again, he will be a fun fantasy play. As the Canes take on the Canadiens tonight in what could be a high-scoring back-and-forth game, Justin Faulk deserves to be in your lineup.
D- Nick Leddy, NYI
Nick Leddy has to be ecstatic that so much of the pressure of the Islanders’ blueline is off him. Johnny Boychuk’s return means that the lineup becomes much deeper and Leddy does not have to be leaned on for 25 minutes a night. His ice time dipped down to just over 18 minutes yesterday. All the same, Leddy has a goal and two assists in his last five games as one of the more effective puck-movers on the Island this season. He has three goals and 17 assists on the year, with 12 of his 20 points coming on the man advantage. The Islanders are looking to beat up on the Oilers tonight. Leddy is sure to pick up a point or two in the process.
G- Braden Holtby, WAS
Is it a cop out to recommend that the winningest goalie in the league be in your daily fantasy lineup? Perhaps. But Holtby genuinely has a tough game ahead of him as the Caps take on the Flyers, so Holtby should see a lot of action. The Holtbeast is back on his whole “no regulation losses” kick, as he is 4-0-1 in his last five starts. He’s been allowing two or more goals in each of those five starts, but Washington always finds a way to win. It’s just what Washington does. Both the Flyers and Capitals are coming off shootouts in the previous day, so they will likely be a little gassed. Holtby is used to starting every game at this point. Look for Holtby to get win number 33 today.
