This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
The first Friday of 2017 features six NHL matchups. Despite the relatively light slate, there are plenty of intriguing storylines in play. Something's gotta give as the streaking Canucks meet equally hot Flames goaltender Brian Elliott, and the same can be said for the opposite reason about the special teams play of the Islanders and Avalanche. The fantasy implications of all six games are broken down below, with an eye on both daily and season-long formats:
Featured Matchups
Hurricanes (PP:14, PK:1) at Blackhawks (PP:16, PK:29), 8:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Cam Ward (13-11-6, 2.28, .915), Scott Darling (10-4-2, 2.39, .921)
Key Injuries:Bryan Bickell (illness), Eddie Lack (concussion), Elias Lindholm (upper body)
Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Ward is set to be back in net after beating the Blues 4-2 Thursday, while Darling is expected to suit up after watching Corey Crawford eek out a 4-3 overtime win over the Sabres. The Hurricanes' third line of Brock McGinn, Jordan Staal and Derek Ryan contributed two goals and six points in St. Louis, and Ryan's role on the top power-play unit also has him primed to take advantage of a 29th-ranked Blackhawks penalty kill that just gave up two power-play goals to Buffalo.
Islanders (PP:24, PK:23) at Avalanche (PP:28, PK:25), 9:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Thomas Greiss (9-5-0, 2.45, .923), Calvin Pickard (6-11-1, 3.19, .898)
Key Injuries:Erik Johnson (leg), Semyon Varlamov (groin), Mikhail Grabovski (concussion)
This battle of the backups pits a pair of goaltenders trending in opposite directions. While Greiss has outplayed starter Jaroslav Halak for most of the season, Pickard has flailed since Varlamov went down. Both teams have been atrocious on special teams, but New York defenseman Nick Leddy has been an underrated power-play asset with two goals and five assists in such situations. Those looking to take advantage of Pickard's struggles in daily formats without breaking the bank should also look at John Tavares' linemates Anders Lee and Josh Bailey.
Flames (PP:10, PK:16) at Canucks (PP:27, PK:21), 10:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Brian Elliott (8-9-1, 2.90, .894), Ryan Miller (11-10-1, 2.65, .912)
Key Injuries:Troy Brouwer (finger), Ladislav Smid (neck), Jannik Hansen (knee)
The Canucks have won five straight, but so has Flames netminder Brian Elliott. Something has to give in this battle of Canadian Western Conference foes, and it could well be the 21st-ranked Vancouver penalty kill against a Calgary power-play that has crept into the top 10 thanks to a balanced scoring approach. Five Flames have at least eight points with the man advantage, but Mikael Backlund stands out as a player to watch given that five of his team-leading 12 goals have come with the extra man.
Other Matchups
Predators (PP:13, PK:17) at Panthers (PP:23, PK:7), 7:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Juuse Saros (3-2-1, 1.16, .957), Roberto Luongo (11-10-5, 2.48, .919)
Key Injuries:Aleksander Barkov (undisclosed), Jonathan Huberdeau (achilles), Alex Petrovic (ankle), James Neal (upper body), P.K. Subban (upper body)
Saros makes for a strong play once again here given his tremendous numbers to date. Both teams are missing some offensive firepower due to injuries, further elevating both goaltenders' stocks in this one.
Maple Leafs (PP:12, PK:6) at Devils (PP:29, PK:8), 7:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Frederik Andersen (16-8-7, 2.63, .920), Cory Schneider (12-12-5, 2.74, .908)
Key Injuries:Andy Greene (undisclosed), John Moore (concussion), Joffrey Lupul (abdomen)
New Jersey's putrid power play is unlikely to find success against a surprisingly stiff Toronto penalty kill.
Coyotes (PP:26, PK:28) at Ducks (PP:3, PK:15), 10:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Mike Smith (7-11-4, 2.83, .919), John Gibson (14-9-7, 2.50, .913)
Key Injuries:Simon Despres (head), Ryan Getzlaf (lower body), Clayton Stoner (abdomen), Anthony DeAngelo (suspension), Max Domi (hand), Brad Richardson (leg)
Anaheim should be able to take care of business against a Coyotes team that has dropped eight straight.
Recommended Pickup
Derek Ryan, C/LW, CAR - Ryan's two goals Thursday in St. Louis just further bolstered what had already been a surprisingly effective campaign from the second-year NHLer. While the 30-year-old forward is blooming later than most, he has acquitted himself quite well with six goals and eight helpers through 25 games played this season. His role on the top power-play unit suggests the Hurricanes believe his offensive success is sustainable, and Ryan has now skated over 15 minutes in five straight. The opportunities for continued production are there, so you may as well take a flier on him in case he continues to impress.
