The Ottawa Senators are down 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens but will host their first home game of the series tonight at 7 p.m. ET in what should be a raucous atmosphere at the Canadian Tire Centre. Meanwhile the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary will also be rocking as the Flames host the Vancouver Canucks at 9 p.m. ET. Hostilities are already high between the Flames and Canucks with the series tied at 1-1 and with plenty of punches already having been thrown.
We’ll focus on tonight’s two games with FanDuel prices.
LW – Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary
Johnny Hockey opened at $5,500 and has an assist with a minus-three in the first two playoff games against the Canucks. Gaudreau was instrumental in the Flames late playoff push and is a player that has proven ability to reach the score sheet as evidenced by his 24 goals and 40 assists in the regular season.
RW – Bobby Ryan – Ottawa
The Senators right wing opened at a price of $6,000. Ryan is overdue to explode and tonight’s home game against the Canadiens figures to be the best chance for him to get into full gear. Ryan has not scored in six games and has just one assist in his last ten games. Ryan had a solid regular season in which he scored 18 goals and 36 assists with a plus-five which is illustrative of his potential.
C – Sean Monahan – Calgary
Monahan has a price of $6,400 and it could prove to be a bargain as he has considerable upside. Monahan finished the regular season with 31 goals, 31 assists, and a plus-eight to go with nine power play goals. Monahan has just one assist in the two playoff games so far and could be due to explode. Vancouver’s defense corps is hardly imposing and could leave open opportunities for Monahan and the Flames.
D – Erik Karlsson – Ottawa
The Senators defenseman opened at $7,800 as arguably the best offensive defenseman in the game. Karlsson has two assists in Ottawa’s previous two playoff games against Montreal. Karlsson finished the regular season with 21 goals, 45 assists, and a plus-seven and was one of the Senators best players during their inspiring playoff push. We expect maximum effort from the Senators in their desperate attempt to avoid a 0-3 series deficit at home.
D – Dennis Wideman – Calgary
The Flames top rearguard opened at a price of $6,200. Wideman has one assist in the first two playoff games against Vancouver. Wideman is among the many Calgary players that have far greater ability and skill than what he is given credit for. Wideman finished the regular season with 15 goals, 41 assists and a plus-six and has one goal, seven assists, and a plus-three in his last five games.
G – Jonas Hiller – Calgary
We are bullish on the Flames tonight and are willing to pay the $9,100 price for Hiller’s services. Hiller allowed three goals on 29 shots in his last start but has a .951 save percentage in his last five games. Hiller came up clutch in the Flames playoff push and gained the confidence of fantasy owners, teammates, and coach Bob Hartley. Hiller is also trying to atone for his playoff failure last year as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
Sleepers – The Sedin Twins – Vancouver
Daniel, a left wing, opened at $7,400 and Henrik, a center, opened at $6,000. While the Sedins are not exactly sleepers as far as their status as perennial top scoring players they are in an underdog role tonight with the potential to upset. Daniel finished the season with 20 goals and 56 assists with a plus-five and has four goals and two assists in his last five games with a plus-three. Henrik had 18 goals and 55 assists in the regular season with six assists and a plus-two in his last five games. With a lot of the smart money on the Flames the visiting Canucks are a capable and dangerous dog. The Sedin Twins are a potentially combustible combination that has the potential for a huge night in giving the Canucks a huge road win in a hostile environment.
