Today our fantasy strategy is based on taking a Los Angeles Kings team at home facing the Edmonton Oilers, the worst defensive team in the NHL. The Kings are the most resilient team in sports and once again face a must win game. We will also supplement the lineup with members of the red hot Columbus Blue Jackets against the reeling New York Islanders. Four Kings and three Jackets are featured for our Thursday Fantasy Pick Six and Sleeper.
Left Wing – Nick Foligno – Columbus Blue Jackets
Don’t look now but Columbus is the hottest team in the NHL with nine wins in their last ten games. The Jackets will host a slumping New York Islanders team at 7 p.m. ET. The Isles have lost seven out of their last nine and rank 21st for goals against and 27th for penalty killing. Foligno has 27 goals and 39 assists as the Jackets All-Star.
Center – Jeff Carter – Los Angeles Kings
Few players in the game have a nose for the net like Carter and he should find the leaky Oilers quite inviting for offensive opportunities. Carter has 26 goals and 30 assists on the season and is due after posting just one goal and two assists in his last five games. The Kings host Edmonton as 10:30 p.m. ET.
Right Wing – Marian Gaborik – Los Angeles Kings
Gaborik has also cooled off with just one goal and two assists in his last five games but has 23 goals and 19 assists on the season.
Defenseman – David Savard – Columbus Blue Jackets
Savard has 11 goals and 20 assists on the season with three assists and a plus-two in his last five games.
Defenseman – Drew Doughty – Los Angeles Kings
The wear and tear of nearly 30 minutes per game of ice team has taken its toll on Doughty and he was shut out in his last five games. Doughty has five goals and 36 assists on the season with a goal and two assists in three games against the Oilers this year.
Goalie – Jonathan Quick – Los Angeles Kings
Quick has a .916 save percentage on the season and in his last five games with a .924 save percentage at home and a .934 save percentage in three games against Edmonton this year.
Sleeper – Marko Dano – Columbus Blue Jackets
The Right winger has two assists and a plus-two in his last five games and should get plenty of opportunities against the leaky Isles.
