After having a very thin pool to choose from last night, the NHL decided it needed to totally make up for that by throwing 10 games at you tonight. Have no fear. Let’s wade through and see who the top candidates are for the starting six of your NHL daily fantasy team tonight:
C- Patrice Bergeron, BOS
Bergeron seems to be getting himself ready for when David Krecji re-enters the Boston Bruins’ lineup so that they can kick it into high gear. Bergeron is a perennial Selke finalist, and his puck-hawking has put him in the conversation once again. He is on pace to set a new career high in points, tallying 41 points in 45 games. He has three goals in his last two games with five shots on goal in each game. Bergeron’s success has been infectious, as now Brad Marchand and Loui Eriksson are beginning to heat up as well. The Bruins will be going up against Ryan Miller and the Canucks tonight. Make sure Bergeron is in your starting six.
LW- James van Riemsdyk, TOR
James van Riemsdyk is having another James van Riemsdyk type year. He is on pace to meet his average point total this year, and his shooting percentage is a mere decimal point off his career total. He has been just as successful in other fantasy categories as well, as his +/- could be a positive number for the first time since 2010-2011 when he was member of the Flyers. Toronto is going up against Carolina tonight and the Hurricanes are very good at shot suppression, but they have one of the worst goaltending tandems in the National Hockey League. James van Riemsdyk should be licking his chops at the chance to have a multi-point night tonight. Get him in your daily fantasy lineup.
RW- Lee Stempniak, NJD
No one is more thankful that Mike Cammalleri is back in the Devils’ lineup than Lee Stempniak. Stempniak logged his first multi-point night in over a month Tuesday night in Cammalleri’s return from injury. In all six of Stempniak’s multi-point games, Cammalleri has points too, more often than not multiple points. The Cammalleri-Henrique-Stempniak line has been the best for New Jersey by far this season, and they are picking up right where they left off. Stempniak has four points in four games and is averaging three shots on goal a game in that time. He is having a career year at 32, and he owes a lot to his chemistry with Cammalleri. With a healthy first line, give Stempniak a start tonight.
D- Duncan Keith, CHI
Conn Smythe Trophy winner Duncan Keith is taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup. Keith was injured for their October meeting, in which the Blackhawks scored in overtime to win 1-0. The Hawks’ defenseman enters the game on a four game point streak and a +7 in his last five games. Duncan Keith is always a prime candidate for your daily fantasy lineup, but the matchup tonight is especially irresistible.
D- Seth Jones, CBJ
Jones is finally finding his rhythm after being dealt to the Blue Jackets for Ryan Johansen. He has four points in his last three games and is seeing unprecedented ice time. He is in Duncan Keith territory, grabbing 25+ minutes per night. As a result, he’s been a much better shot generator and looks to be more confident. John Tortorella and the Jackets’ coaching staff clearly has a lot of faith in the young defenseman. You should, too. Put Jones in your starting six against the Flames.
G- Karri Ramo, CGY
Ramo had a rough game in his last start against San Jose, allowing five goals on 18 shots. His previous performances though should instill confidence. Prior to that game, he had allowed only two even strength goals in his last three games. The Flames need a win to keep pace in the Pacific Division, and they will be leaning on Ramo to provide it. He will be going up against Sergei Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets. Columbus has a lot of trouble keeping their opponent off the board no matter how many they put in the net themselves, so Ramo will likely be in line for a W and a decent amount of shots faced. He deserves the start in goal tonight for your daily fantasy team.
