With eight games slotted for tonight, some of the biggest stars in the league will be available for your NHL daily fantasy lineup. Let’s go around the league and see who belongs in your starting six tonight:
C- Tomas Plekanec, MTL
Plekanec has been one of the few bright spots in the Canadiens’ lineup as they plummet harder and harder with each passing day. He has a goal and three assists in his last five games. One game in particular, Plekanec registered nine shots on goal, 18 in his last five. He has been one of the few catalysts of an offense on life support. Montreal will be taking on their Original Six rivals, the Boston Bruins for the first time since the Winter Classic. The Habs will be looking for blood. They should be entering the game with confidence because regardless of the team’s performance, they always seem to play well against Boston. Tuukka Rask is 4-15-3 against Montreal. Today is a turnaround day for Plekanec and the Canadiens.
LW- Jamie Benn, DAL
Even though the Dallas Stars have not been winning much lately, the blame does not fall on Jamie Benn. The Benn-Seguin connection has not been as white-hot as it was in the first half of the year, but Benn is still a regular contributor. He has four points in the last three games for Dallas. They will need him to be the stud that he is as the Stars try and snap their cold streak against the Los Angeles Kings tonight. Taking the obvious route and playing a superstar is often worth it if they are playing a big game that night. Benn will be a difference maker tonight.
RW- Radim Vrbata, VAN
This is a very similar pick to Justin Williams from a few nights ago- I love picking right-handed wingers against the Rangers. Williams scored a hat trick against the Rangers Sunday afternoon. Vrbata will be on the Canucks’ second line with Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat. He also plays on the first powerplay unit. With Henrik Sedin out of the lineup, scoring chances will have to be generated elsewhere. Vrabata is a good place to start. With 21 points on the year, three in his last four, put the Czech veteran in your starting six tonight.
D- John Carlson, WSH
John Carlson has been one of the unsung heroes of the Washington Capitals this season. The 26-year old American just had a seven-game scoring streak snapped in which he scored two goals and six assists. Both of his goals in that stretch were game-winners. He has been a monster on the Caps’ first pair. He eats up tons of ice time and is usually good for three shots on goal a night if not more. Carlson is a key cog in Washington’s President’s-Trophy-leading machine. Washington will be taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road. They will be given plenty of high-danger scoring chances. Carlson will be a good starter for your fantasy lineup tonight.
D- Adam Larsson, NJD
The offensive well went through a nasty dry spell in New Jersey these past couple of weeks, for a variety of reasons. The bottom line has been the absence of John Moore and Mike Cammalleri. Cammalleri is fighting to make a return to the lineup tonight, and one of the better puck-movers on the Devils’ blueline has been heating up in preparation for his arrival. Larsson has four assists in his last five games, chewing up anywhere from 19 to 25 minutes a night. He is not a prolific goal scorer himself, but he is very sure-handed. If Cammalleri is in the lineup tonight, more chances will be generated/buried. It’s worth the chance to put Larsson in our lineup.
G- Cory Schneider, NJD
Cory Schneider is without question the New Jersey Devils’ most important player. Mike Cammalleri is very good but Cammalleri-type players can be acquired elsewhere. There is no replacing an elite goaltender like Schneider. He is 19-14-5 with a 2.03 goals against average and .929 save percentage. His play at even strength makes him a perennial top-five goaltender. It was his acrobatic efforts last game that earned him his fourth shutout of the season. The Devils will be playing the Calgary Flames tonight. The game will probably be in the neighborhood of 2-1. Schneider will most likely be on the winning side. Get him in your starting six.
