The Winnipeg Jets proved to be one of the most resilient teams in all of sports this season with a playoff push that was truly inspiring. The Jets face the Ducks in Anaheim tonight trailing 1-0 in their playoff series. We expect Winnipeg to be a bargain buy tonight and to even out the series. Meanwhile the dominant days for Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are clearly over and they are clearly outmatched in their playoff series against the New York Rangers. We’ll focus on night time NHL action for Saturday with FanDuel prices.
LW – Rick Nash – New York Rangers
The Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 8 p.m. ET with coverage on NBC and CBC. Nash opened at $9,000. The Rangers lead the best of seven series 1-0. With the Penguins dreadfully thin on defense the window is wide open for Nash, who re-emerged as one of the most dominant power forwards in the game. Nash had an assist in game one and led the Broadway Blueshirts with 42 goals on the season.
RW – Blake Wheeler – Winnipeg
The Jets are at the Anaheim Ducks with faceoff time set for 10:30 p.m. ET and coverage on NBCSN. Wheeler opened at $7,700. The Ducks lead the series 1-0. Winnipeg remains a dangerous team and we suspect that coming off a loss in game one only serves to enhance their potential. Anaheim is not a strong defensive team and had the type of goal differential that was indicative of a .500 team. Wheeler was one of the key components to the Jets playoff season with 26 goals, 51 assists and a plus-26 during the regular season.
C – Bryan Little – Winnipeg
Little opened at $5,300 for this one. The Jets have underrated ability and depth and that would include Little, who had 24 goals, 28 assists and a plus-eight in the regular season. Little had an assist in game one and we expect him to reach the scoresheet again as he has plenty of supplemental support on a well-balanced Jets team that faces a virtual must win game.
D – Keith Yandle – New York Rangers
Yandle was acquired at the trade deadline with the playoffs in mind. As one of the top offensive defensemen in the game he could light it up big against a Pittsburgh team that is now merely average. Yandle had an assist in game one and finished the regular season with six goals and 46 assists. The Penguins not only lack a top-two defenseman but the blue line corps that remains is consisted of number six type rearguards. Yandle opened at $5,200.
D – Jacob Trouba – Winnipeg
We see plenty of upside and potential for a Jets team that is among the most tenacious in the league. We respect Anaheim and head coach Bruce Boudreau but the fact remains that they are not a dominant team and lack defensive depth. Trouba epitomizes the Jets in that he is an underrated play that brings plenty of value at $4,300. Trouba had an assist and was a plus-two in game one while compiling regular season numbers of seven goals, 15 assists and a plus-two. Trouba looms as a potential big bargain.
G – Ondrej Pavelec – Winnipeg
Pavelec might be expensive at $8,300, but he’s commanding a Jets team that we expect will be on top of its game with an all-out effort tonight. Pavelec had a tough first game with a subpar .879 save percentage based on four goals against on 33 shots. Pavelec was one of the top Jets performers down the playoff push and finished the regular season with three consecutive shutouts. Expect Pavelec to be focused for this one and with the added motivation of wanting to redeem himself after a poor first game.
Sleeper – Carl Hagelin – New York Rangers
Hagelin is at $4,900 and was kept off the scoresheet in game one. Pittsburgh has had an alarming drop from their past days of dominance and as a perennial chalk to win the Stanley Cup. Hagelin is a left wing that has the ability to be a factor tonight as evidenced by his regular season totals of 17 goals and 18 assists.
