Every Thursday I will be providing my recommended player picks for your daily fantasy hockey lineups. The goal is to help you to the top of the leader boards in FanDuel and DraftKings tournament play.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at some sports betting for tonight, be sure to check out both the DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
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We have a large 11-game slate tonight with some favorable matchups. Edmonton is in a rare favorable matchup against a tired Vancouver team. The Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers — a team with plenty of goaltending issues, and the Columbus Blue Jackets try to cling to their playoff hopes as they take on their direct Wild Card competition.
GOALTENDER
NOTE: Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page page prior to game time, to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay – Andrei Vasilevskiy has not lost in regulation since January 30th, putting up an incredible 11-0-2 record in the process. Since then, Vas has a 1.56 goals-against-average and a .951 save percentage. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Minnesota Wild — a team that has scored just 2.59 goals per game in the past five weeks. Vasilevskiy has been a bit inconsistent this season, but when he’s on he is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and can look unbeatable. Tampa Bay is currently sitting as -265 favorites, and Vasilevskiy should be able to pick up the easy win.
FORWARDS
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers – Since February 1st, Leon Draisaitl leads the NHL in goals with 14. He has been on an absolute tear as of late, collecting 22 points in 16 games along the way. Of his 14 goals, 8 have come on the power play while 2 have come shorthanded, showing that he can do damage offensively in all facets of the game. He has primarily played alongside Connor McDavid, which is an obvious boost. However, Draisaitl has done some damage away from McDavid also, showing that he has elite talent. The Oilers are rarely a team you want to focus on from an offensive standpoint, but they are hosting the Vancouver Canucks— a team on the tail-end of a back-to-back. Vancouver is coming off a hard-fought comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night and are likely to struggle as a team that is tired.
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins – Another player that contributes across the board is Brad Marchand. While common linemate David Pastrnak is on the shelf, Marchand and Patrice Bergeron have continued to truck along with Danton Heinen on the right side. Marchand has 8 goals and 20 points in 15 games since February 1st, with three points coming with the man advantage and three coming on the penalty kill. He is an even strength, power play and shorthanded master which gives him elite upside. The Florida Panthers are expected to be rolling with Roberto Luongo in net tonight, which bodes well for Marchand and the Bruins. Luongo has struggled this season with a 3.13 goals-against-average and a .898 save percentage. He is clearly starting to show his age as he takes a major step back in his success.
Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue Jackets – It seems that Cam Atkinson has become one of the more underrated goal-scorers in the NHL. He is tied for sixth in the NHL with 36 goals in 64 games which puts him on a 46-goal pace. His 36 goals are a career high, besting his previous high of 35 from 2 years ago. The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Pittsburgh Penguins as a team that is fighting for its playoff hopes. The Penguins and Blue Jackets are in direct competition for the final playoff spot, and with a home-and-home series tonight and Saturday, this could be a major factor in the determination of a Wild Card spot. If Columbus loses both games, its playoff hopes are likely over. If it wins both, it’ll be in the driver seat. Atkinson is in prime spot tonight as the Penguins have allowed a 59.42 CA/60 over the last month, which is among the bottom 10 in the league.
DEFENSE
Erik Gustafsson, Chicago Blackhawks – Speaking of players that have been dominant since February 1st, Erik Gustafsson leads all defensemen in points with 18 in 15 games. The Chicago Blackhawks lead the NHL in goals-per-game in that same time frame with 4.27, so it makes some sense to see their players near the top (Patrick Kane is 4th, Alex DeBrincat is 6th, Jonathan Toews is 15th and Dylan Strome is 16th among forwards). Gustafsson has taken over as the power play quarterback on the Blackhawks top unit and 6 of his 18 points over the last 5 weeks have come with the man advantage. Chicago’s power play has been clicking lately, too, converting at a 27.1 percent clip since February 1st.
