Here is your Sunday pick six and sleeper for a huge day of NHL hockey.
Left Wing – Andrew Ladd – Winnipeg Jets
The Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:30 p.m. ET and remain in the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference, just three points ahead of the Calgary Flames for the final spot. Chicago is slumping badly on defense and Ladd is the Jets leading scorer with 59 points.
Center – Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh hosts the reeling San Jose Sharks at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Sharks are in free fall with four losses in their last six games and rank 24th in the NHL for both goals against and penalty killing. Crosby is the NHL scoring leader with 75 points.
Right Wing – Jimmy Hayes – Florida Panthers
The Panthers are at the Ottawa Senators with faceoff time set for 5 p.m. ET. Florida is three points behind the Senators for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference making this the ultimate must win game. Hayes has 18 goals and 13 assists on the season with just one goal in his last five games. We expect much more for this one.
Defenseman – Kris Letang – Pittsburgh Penguins
Again we pick on the Sharks with a defenseman that is in the Norris Trophy conversation. Letang has 11 goals, 43 assists, and is a plus-12 on the season. Letang is due for a big game after scoring just one goal, one assist and a minus-two in his last five games.
Defenseman – Aaron Ekblad– Florida Panthers
Ekblad is a top shelf candidate for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year and is a budding superstar. It is rare for a 19-year-old rearguard to excel so fast in the NHL, but Ekblad has done just that. Ekblad has 11 goals and 24 assists on the season with a plus-10. In his last five games, Ekblad has been cold with just one assist and a plus-two. In the Panthers biggest game of the season we look for Ekblad to lead a big effort.
Goalie – Roberto Luongo – Florida Panthers
Once again we take a leap of faith with the Panthers. Luongo has a .922 save percentage on the season and has responded well to the pressure of a March playoff push with a .943 save percentage in his last five games.
Sleeper – Scottie Upshall – Florida Panthers
Upshall has slumped badly with just one goal in the month of March through 11 games. In Florida’s biggest game in years, we expect lightning to strike for the Florida right wing.
