There are six games slated for tonight, which makes for a decent field for your NHL daily fantasy team. Let’s take a look at some candidates for your starting six tonight:
C- Ryan O’Reilly, BUF “The Factor” is genuinely one of the more clever nicknames I’ve heard for a hockey player. O’Reilly has been exactly that this season for the Sabres. Even though they are a losing franchise, he is on pace for 70 points this season. He is a firm foundation to build on. He enters tonight’s game against the Bruins on a four-game point streak. O’Reilly was signed to a monster contract after being dealt to the Sabres from the Colorado Avalanche, and many were skeptical if he would live up to his price tag. He has been the Sabres’ points leader all year, and shows no sign of slowing down. Start him tonight against Boston, who may be in for a surprise competition-wise.
LW- Ondrej Palat, TBL
Palat had his first multi-point game of the season the other night in a 4-0 blowout of the Colorado Avalanche. The Bolts have only lost one game since Palat’s return to the lineup, and they look like a different team. His other worldly connection with guys like Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov will likely spark an impressive run that will see Tampa surge up the standings. They have been lying just below the playoff mark for essentially the entire season. With a full and healthy top six, they may get back to their Eastern Conference Champion form. No one can say for sure what their haul for Jonathan Drouin will be either. Another weapon may be on the way.
RW- Phil Kessel, PIT
Phil Kessel has not quite had the impact on the Pittsburgh Penguins he and the organization had hoped. Kessel is on pace for a measly 48 points, which is far off his usual pace. Mike Sullivan is going to be putting Kessel on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist, hoping to get him going again. They have been dying for him to make more of an impact on games, with just 12 goals this season. Both the Pens and Kessel need a turnaround. He has 3 points in his last five games, so give him a start tonight.
D- John Klingberg, DAL Klingberg should be in the running for the Norris Trophy this season. He has been an incredible asset for the Stars this season, moving the puck up the ice with ease and suppressing shots with the league’s elite. He has been a possession monster all year and a key cog in the most beastly offense of the league. Even when the Stars are not playing well he is one of their best players on the ice. Over their three game losing road trip around the East Coast.
D- Jaccob Slavin, CAR
If you’re looking for a key sleeper pick, look no further than Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes. Slavin has three points in his last four games and is a +5 over the course of the Canes’ winning streak. The 21-year old Slavin was an elite point scorer at Colorado College and was also a member of the 2014 United States World Junior team. He has a very smooth skating stride and very good vision of the ice for someone of his age. It has taken him about 20 games to get acclimated and comfortable to the NHL, but Slavin looks like a natural out on the ice. He’s a sneaky pick for your lineup tonight.
G- Robin Lehner, BUF
Robin Lehner will be making his very first start since opening night, October 8th. After spraining his ankle in his Sabres debut, Lehner will be returning to the crease at home against the Boston Bruins. Fortunately for Lehner, the Bruins have been banged up, frustrated and simply unable to win these past two weeks, which may mean that Lehner has a more winnable game than one might assume. There always is the X-factor that a team will try and play better for the goalie to earn their first win with a team. In his limited time on ice, Lehner stopped 11 of 12 shots. It will make for an interesting storyline to follow, so put Lehner in your starting six tonight. Robin Lehner will be making his very first start since opening night, October 8th. After spraining his ankle in his Sabres debut, Lehner will be returning to the crease at home against the Boston Bruins. Fortunately for Lehner, the Bruins have been banged up, frustrated and simply unable to win these past two weeks, which may mean that Lehner has a more winnable game than one might assume. There always is the X-factor that a team will try and play better for the goalie to earn their first win with a team. In his limited time on ice, Lehner stopped 11 of 12 shots. It will make for an interesting storyline to follow, so put Lehner in your starting six tonight.
