This article is part of our FantasyScore NHL series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Tuesday, and 14 of the teams are playoff locks or in the running for a wild card berth. Only Arizona and Columbus are well behind the pack. When there are matchups to cherry-pick it is advised to do so, but this game slate doesn't feature many mismatches.
The Kings, Wild and Jets are all playing on the wrong end of back-to-back road games, which is typically a tall order. However, Minnesota and Winnipeg are locked in and difficult opponents, and the Kings are in must-win mode. Again, these aren't slam-dunk matchups.
Additionally, with Columbus winners of three consecutive outings and six of their last seven games, Anaheim isn't a sure thing, either. It leaves Detroit. Though, Arizona has to win eventually, right? They've gone 22 straight contests without a regulation win, after all.
It all adds up to spending wisely in goal and spreading your wealth throughout your skaters. Sometimes the docket lends to stacking or loading up on high-priced stars and complimenting them with budget fliers, but Tuesday might not be the best time to utilize the strategy.
One favorable aspect of FantasyScore is the user-friendly pricing. While you can't spend up throughout your lineup, there are enough mid-priced options to enable the cap space for a few coveted go-to players.
Are you new to FantasyScore? Here's our first article about the daily fantasy site, which covers the unique settings and features of FantasyScore.
Recommended Plays
Here are players at each position and from various price tiers for you to utilize in Tuesday's FantasyScore contests.
Centers
Tomas Plekanec, MON, $5,200 (10.4 percent of cap) - Currently rolling, Plekanec has three goals, four helpers, a plus-5 rating and 17 shots over his last five games. While it doesn't project as a great matchup at first glance, Nashville has only three wins through their last 12 games and two of them are over Buffalo and Arizona.
Derek Stepan, NYR, $4,900 (9.8 percent of cap) - The pivot snapped a 12-game pointless streak last time out and carries a reduced price due to his recent slump. With Stepan on the cheap and skating between Rick Nash and Chris Kreider, there is plenty of profit potential Tuesday.
Riley Sheahan, DET, $3,800 (7.6 percent of cap) - Filling in for Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) between Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm, Sheahan is a nice upside play Tuesday. He receives power-play time and should avoid the attention of Arizona's top defensive matchup. Sheahan is a viable source of cap relief in the flex spot, too.
Bo Horvat, VAN, $2,000 (4.0 percent of cap) - The rookie has picked up his production of late with four goals, an assist, a plus-4 rating and 19 shots over his last eight games. He's a flier, but Horvat also carries a contest-minimum price tag.
Wingers
Corey Perry, ANA, $6,500 (13.0 percent of cap) - Anaheim was embarrassed 7-2 on Sunday, but Perry still tallied a pair of goals. With 13 shots and three goals over his past two games, the feisty winger appears poised for a hot streak. Columbus has won three consecutive games and six of their last seven outings, but they still allow 3.4 goals per game in their own barn.
Daniel Sedin, VAN, $6,000 (12.0 percent of cap) - Sedin has two goals and four assists over his last four games with a plus-4 rating and 21 shots on goal. With the Jets playing the wrong end of back-to-back games, expect the surging Canucks to have another nice showing, and Sedin to continue to be an offensive focal point.
Justin Abdelkader, DET, $4,300 (8.6 percent of cap) - A wrecking ball on skates, Abdelkader is having a career season with seven of his 20 goals coming over the past 11 games. He also has 19 penalty minutes and 33 shots during the span. He has really excelled on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Erik Cole of late.
Jonathan Drouin, TB, $3,200 (6.4 percent of cap) - As long as Drouin skates with Steven Stamkos, the rookie is an excellent low-priced option. Drouin owns high-end offensive vision and cerebral puck skills. He's a nice fit alongside a sniper of Stamkos' pedigree.
Chris Stewart, MIN, $3,100 (6.2 percent of cap) - Relocating to a playoff team appears to have rejuvenated Stewart. Before Monday's game against Toronto, he had five points, a plus-5 rating and 16 penalty minutes over his previous seven games. Don't forget, Stewart was a budding power forward when he entered the league and posted consecutive 28-goal seasons.
Defensemen
Victor Hedman, TB, $5,600 (11.2 percent of cap) - Hedman has averaged exactly 6.0 FantasyScore points over his past three games. He remains one of the elite defenseman and typically worth spending up for. He has three goals and five helpers over his past nine showings with an average of 23:17 minutes per game.
Marek Zidlicky, DET, $4,400 (8.8 percent of cap) - The rearguard remains hot with three goals and five helpers through his 10 games with the Red Wings. He is playing sheltered minutes with 72.2 percent of his shifts starting in the offensive zone. He is the triggerman on his power-play unit, too, and the Coyotes are a plus-matchup.
James Wisniewski, ANA, $4,000 (8.0 percent of cap) - Wisniewski is due for a breakout showing in his new digs, and a revenge game against his former team could be the catalyst. The price is responsible enough to target Wisniewski as a calculated hunch play.
Matt Carle, TB, $3,200 (6.4 percent of cap) - Since returning from injury, Carle has three helpers over his four games. The veteran has played well after a slow start to the season, and he has 14 points and a plus-10 rating over his past 28 games bookending the injury. While Carle's ceiling is somewhat low, the floor is reasonable given the cap-friendly price tag.
Goalies
Ben Bishop, TB, $6,700 (13.4 percent of cap) - An interstate matchup projects favorably for Bishop to continue his solid play. He has a 9-1-1 record with a .938 save percentage over his last 11 stats, and he is 25-5-1 with a .928 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average on home ice. Good luck to the Eastern Conference if the Lightning secure home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Cam Talbot, NYR, $6,500 (13.0 percent of cap) - The Blueshirts' No.2 has gone 7-1-1 with a .961 save percentage and a 1.21 goals-against average through his nine starts in March, allowing just 11 goals total. The Kings have struggled on the road all season (13-14-7), and they're playing their second consecutive road game Tuesday. Plus, Los Angeles has scored just 1.6 goals per game over their last five outings.
Jimmy Howard, DET, $6,000 (12.0 percent of cap) - With just three goals allowed over his past two starts, Howard looks to have put his seven-goal shellacking at the hands of the Flyers behind him. The Coyotes are a plus-match, as they've now gone 22 games without a regulation win.
John Gibson, ANA, $5,900 (11.8 percent of cap) - There have been a few blowups, but for the most part, Gibson has handled the crease with care when given his shot. He has won his past three starts with a .945 save percentage and just five goals against. Remove a six-goal hiccup against Calgary, and Gibson is sporting a 9-1 record with a .943 save percentage over his past 10 starts. Columbus should yield another strong possibility for a win.
