FantasyAces NHL: Tuesday Picks

Tuesday's slate features a number of intriguing matchups, with the marquee meeting on the slate a showdown between the Caps and the Rangers in NYC. The Dallas juggernaut was slowed by the Leafs last night, and the Stars have a back-to-back date in Boston against the surging Bruins. The Sens go to Montreal, where the Habs will be without starting goalie Carey Price – rookie Mike Condon gets that start. In another key divisional game, the Red Wings host the Lightning in a "measuring stick" game for both clubs. Meanwhile, the surprisingly competitive Devils face an Islanders club that's missing captain John Tavares.

Here are my recommendations for games on Tuesday, November 3, 2015:

C: Connor McDavid, EDM vs. PHI ($4,900) – The kid may have a field day against a Flyers team that isn't blessed with much speed on its blue line and is throwing a backup goalie in there Monday. We have already seen the speed that McDavid can play at, and that should provide him with a huge edge.

C: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. PHI ($4,800) – The same outlook applies here as it did for McDavid. I am expecting the Oilers' skill players to have a big night at home against the visitors from Philadelphia. For his part, RNH is playing a more complete game and still producing offensively, with nine points in 12 games played.

W: Brad Marchand, BOS vs. DAL ($5,000) – The pesky winger is off to a blazing start with nine points in his first eight games. He will not find much resistance from a Stars defense that favors skill over size, so expect to see him be a real threat around Kari Lehtonen's crease, particularly on the league's leading power-play unit.

W: Patrick Marleau, SJ vs. CBJ $5,200 – This veteran forward looks rejuvenated with a strong early performance this year, tallying eight points and pouring 34 shots on goal in 11 games. His Sharks face a shockingly inept Columbus team that has the worst record in the NHL so far at 2-10.

W: Gustav Nyquist, DET vs. TB ($5,050) – One of the newly established core players on the Wings, he has also burst from the starting gate, scoring nine points in 11 games and increasing his shot rate to almost three per game. Nyquist gets home ice advantage, and the Wings will try to keep him away from Tampa's top defensive pairing and checking line as much as possible.

W: Tyler Toffoli, LA at STL ($5,000) – Sometimes, you just can't say no to some impressive stats. Toffoli is tied for the league lead with nine goals and is getting a regular turn on a potent Kings power play, where he's tallied three of his markers to date. I say ride him while he's streaking.

D: Jake Muzzin, LA at STL ($4,250) – Muzzin may not be playing regularly with Drew Doughty, but that's freed him up to avoid top opposing checkers this far. It has resulted in his shot rate rising significantly, and he's still playing well over 20 minutes per game. He's still getting more than two minutes of power-play time per game as well, so he's expected to contribute offensively.

D: Torey Krug, BOS vs. DAL ($5,100) – Krug is the power-play quarterback of the top-rated Bruins man advantage and has eight points in 11 games played. On Monday, the Bruins face a Dallas penalty-killing unit that's in the bottom half of the league and is playing the second of back-to-back road games. This looks even more attractive when factoring in goalie Kari Lehtonen, who has lost the starting gig here.

G: Anders Nilsson, EDM vs. PHI ($6,750) – I like Nilsson in this battle of backup goalies (opposed by Michael Neuvirth), mostly because I see a big speed advantage for McDavid and company against a slow Flyers defense. This relatively low goalie price gives us roster flexibility elsewhere.