There are 12 games on the schedule tonight for a busy Tuesday. After a couple of slow days, there are plenty more names to draw from for your starting six. Let’s take a look at the top contenders for your NHL daily fantasy lineup:
C- Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s playmaking ability is off the charts. The young Russian has 12 assists in his last seven games and leads all Capitals in points. Yes, he has more points than Alex Ovechkin himself. The funny thing is that Kuznetsov actually has not found the back of the net himself in eight games. However, he is still averaging three shots on goal per game in his last five. The Capitals will be taking on the Nashville Predators tonight as underdogs. I made Washington to win my “play of the day,” and you best believe that Kuznetsov will be all over the ice tonight.
LW- Brad Marchand, BOS
Brad Marchand is currently on a three-game goal-scoring streak, and has five in as many games. Marchand has actually been putting on a pretty impressive display of his scoring ability. For as much heat as he takes for his agitation-bordering-on-dirty style of play, as well he should, he actually has himself a very nice set of hands. He scored a tremendous coast-to-coast goal against the Buffalo Sabres at the conclusion of a penalty kill, then beat the Sabres yet again with a silky-smooth backhander on a controversial overtime penalty shot. The Bruins will be taking on the Los Angeles Kings tonight, which will be Milan Lucic’s return back to TD Garden. Look for Marchand to stick it to his old friend and teammate.
RW- Vladimir Tarasenko, STL
Vladimir Tarasenko has actually been surprisingly quiet. He snapped his five-game skid of being held off the scoresheet with a goal against Minnesota. The Blues offense in general has been ice-cold, and if anyone is going to snap them out of their rut, it has to be Tarasenko. It certainly is not for lack of opportunities. Number 91 is averaging 3.4 shots on goal in his last 10 games. It is a minor hiccup, but Tarasenko is an elite scorer. He already has 26 goals and 21 assists on the year. He will get plenty of time and space against the Winnipeg Jets tonight. Get him in your starting six.
D- Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI
I have picked Shayne Gostisbehere god knows how many times for my daily fantasy lineup. And time and again, he has come through for me. GhostBear is having nothing short of a historic rookie season. His eight-game point streak is the longest by any rookie defenseman in Flyers’ history. For reference, the longest point streak by any Philadelphia rookie is 10 games. For a league-wide scope, Gostisbehere’s streak is the longest of any rookie NHL defenseman since Kevin Shattenkirk’s nine-game streak in 2010. GhostBear has nine goals and 18 assists in just 33 games. It’s astounding to think that he’s already put himself among the most efficient-scoring defensemen in the league and he came in about 20 games late. Had he cracked the starting lineup from day one, he may very well be running away with the Calder vote. Heck, he may be in that conversation even still. The Flyers will be playing the Anaheim Ducks tonight, who allowed Pittsburgh defensemen to collect four points yesterday. Put Shayne Gostisbehere in your lineup once again tonight.
D- Matt Dumba, MIN
Matt Dumba, other than having one of the funnier names in hockey, has actually been one of the better skaters on the ice for the Wild despite having one win in their last 11 games. Dumba has two goals and two assists in his last three games, and his ice time has been on the steady incline. He is on the second pair with Marco Scandella. On the year, Dumba has seven goals and eight assists in 52 games. The Wild will be taking on the Dallas Stars tonight, a tough draw for a team trying to snap out of the funk they’re in. Even in losing games, Dumba is good both for points and for peripheral categories like shots, hits and even powerplay points. He will be a solid sleeper pick for tonight.
G- Kari Lehtonen, DAL
Kari Lehtonen is 1-3 in his last four starts, but will have a very winnable game tonight against the ice-cold Minnesota Wild. The Wild are on a five-game losing streak, and as mentioned above, have just one win in their last 11 games. While Minnesota could use a boost, the Stars are simply too tough a customer for them. Lehtonen will get plenty of goal support tonight and has a ‘W’ waiting for him if he can play even just slightly above his averages. He is 13-5-0 on the year with a .907 save percentage and a 2.82 goals against average. They are admittedly not great numbers, but opponent is key in daily fantasy. Give Lehtonen the start between the pipes tonight.
