There are 12 more games on the schedule tonight. Let’s sift through the deep talent pool and break down some of the candidates for your NHL daily fantasy team’s starting six that other players may overlook:
C- Nazem Kadri, TOR
Nazem Kadri has been a nice under-the-radar contributor for several different categories. He has four points in his last four games, but he also has 20 shots on goal and is a +4 over that stretch. He currently sits at 28 points on the season, still reasonably vying to top his previous career high of 50. Six points have come on the powerplay. Kadri centers the top line with Leo Komarov and Peter Holland on his wing. Komarov finally scored to grab his second goal in 17 games. Regression is ruthless when you’re shooting 17.9%. If Komarov can start burying his chances at just a portion of that rate, Kadri will be a smart fantasy play. The Maple Leafs will be hosting the Devils tonight.
LW- Gabriel Landeskog, COL
The Colorado captain scored the lone goal for the Avalanche in a 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks Tuesday night. Skating on the second line with Carl Soderberg and Blake Comeau, Landeskog has tallied goals against some of the stronger teams in the league in recent games. In his last four games, he has scored against Chicago, twice against Los Angeles, and even Dallas, tonight’s opponent. He has three goals and two assists against the Stars this season. The Avs have won 11 of their last 12 meetings. Landeskog is a very solid pick for your daily fantasy team tonight.
RW- Wayne Simmonds, PHI
The Wayne Train has been picking up some serious steam these past few games. Simmonds is on a four game point streak in which he has tallied four goals and two assists. Over that stretch he has gotten 24(!) shots on goal, an average of six per game. In those same four games, linemates Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux have lodged eight and five points, respectively. The Flyers’ top line has been a wrecking machine, and Simmonds has been a driving force. Any member of that line is a solid player for your daily fantasy lineup, but get Simmonds in at the right wing. Philadelphia will be playing Pekka Rinne and the Predators.
D- Keith Yandle, NYR
The New York Rangers’ special teams are in a state of disrepair. They were 0-for-4 on the powerplay and 0-for-2 on the penalty kill last game against the rival Devils. In those four powerplay chances, Keith Yandle skated with the first unit all of once. And it was easily the most productive powerplay the Rangers had in the whole game. Maybe, just maybe, Alain Vigneault will wake up and start playing Yandle the powerplay minutes he deserves. Nonetheless, Yandle has a goal and three assists in his last five games. It is currently unclear how Vigneault will address the defensive pairings following an injury to Kevin Klein. Whether Yandle is paired with Dan Boyle or Dylan McIlrath, he’s a godsend for his team. Now play the man, then pay the man. #FreeYandle.
D- Andrej Sekera, EDM
Andrej Sekera is a possession and powerplay specialist going up against one of the weakest possession and penalty killing teams in the league. The Oilers are taking on the Senators in Ottawa tonight. Sekera grabbed two assists last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which snapped an eight-game scoreless streak. On the year, he has five goals and 13 assists, with seven points on the powerplay. Sekera sees top-pairing minutes and is on the first powerplay unit, which may very well spring back to life now that Connor McDavid is back in the fold. It’s incredible how one player, a rookie at that, changes the entire complexion of a team, regardless of just how good he is. Sekera is a good defenseman to take a chance on tonight.
G- Corey Crawford, CHI
Corey Crawford gets a shoutout for the “#WhatsYourGoal” video released by the Blackhawks just yesterday. Crow took the opportunity to visit a young boy who has difficulty using his arms and legs. Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw also show up to play some road hockey. It’s a great video, give it a watch.
To his performance on the ice, Crawford allowed more than two goals just twice in 11 appearances in January. He had a relatively easy win Tuesday night against the Avalanche, stopping 23 of 24 shots. The Blackhawks will be taking on the Arizona Coyotes, who have been an unfortunate combination of incredibly unlucky and defensively inconsistent lately. Chicago’s offense could very easily give Crawford a light workload and a comfortable lead tonight. Give Crawford the start tonight.
