This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
There may only be three games on Tuesday's schedule, but there are still a good number of big names and fine value plays to choose from.
Here are my recommendations on FantasyAces for Tuesday's slate:
C - Steven Stamkos $6000 - Stamkos has earned a reputation for playing well in the big games. Well, on Tuesday night, he is at home against the cross-state rivals from Sunrise, Florida. If that's not enough, the Bolts are trying to keep pace with Montreal. I like Stammer's chances, despite the fact that Roberto Luongo is back in goal and has allowed only two goals total over his last two starts. Stamkos has four goals, one assist and plus-5 rating in his last five games.
W- Gustav Nyquist $5000 - Nyquist is mired in a seven-game goalless drought, with only three assists to show for his offensive contribution in that stretch. He has been getting his chances, though, as he has recorded multiple shot totals in four of those games. On Tuesday night, he has a great chance to get back on the beam, as he faces one of the worst defensive teams in the league in the Coyotes. Nyquist is too good of a goal-scorer to have this go on much longer. The table is set for him tonight.
W- Thomas Vanek $4600 - Like so many other streaky, one-dimensional snipers, Vanek bears consideration when he is on a hot streak, regardless of the opposition. He has produced 19 goals and 49 points in 72 games played, but he has hit the scoresheet with nine points in his last seven games. With the Leafs and Devils being the exceptions, this binge has occurred against some of the elite teams in the league. I say that trend continues with the Wild's visit to Long Island on Tuesday.
W- Drew Stafford $3850 - Stafford has found a new lease on his hockey career since been traded away from the Sabres. He has been able to rediscover his scoring eye in a prominent role among the top two scoring lines and power play with the surging Jets. He is riding a hot streak with four goals and four assists in his last six games and playing with renewed confidence.
W- Carl Hagelin $4650 - Hagelin has used his blazing speed to remain in the mix for a role among the top six forwards on the Rangers. He has been a streaky scorer this season, but the Blueshirts have to be thrilled with his plus-21 rating. He has tied his career-high with 16 goals and has achieved that total despite very little use on the club's power play. He has tallied points in his last two starts, which may be indicative of another hot streak getting under away. Ride him on Tuesday night against the Kings, who are playing the second of back-to-back tilts.
D - Niklas Kronwall $4250 - The lynchpin of a rebuilt Detroit defense, Kronwall has reached the 40-point mark for the third time in his career and has continued to play big minutes against the top lines from opposing teams on a nightly basis. He has been limited to only three points and a season-low minus-7 rating, but he gets a favorable matchup with Arizona coming to visit Motown. That should be the remedy for his recent slump.
D – Keith Yandle $4250 - After playing to a minu-32 rating in Arizona, Yandle was dealt to the Rangers at the trade deadline. Since then, he's put up a plus-6 rating, which highlights the difference in the two clubs. Always known as a prolific points-producer, he has been slow to adjust to the Rangers' offense. He made a breakthrough, with a career-best three-point night in his last outing against Anaheim, so I think he's ready to find that offensive groove with his new team.
Flex – David Backes $5400 - Backes is among the league's top scorers over the last two weeks, with nine points in his last eight games. The Blues captain is clearly in a comfort zone now that the closer checking, physical style of playoff hockey is the order of the day. The Blues, as a team, have stumbled a bit, losing their last three games, but I think Backes can rally the troops against a banged up Penguins team.
G – Ondrej Pavelec -$7000 - Pavelec is playing his best hockey of the year, as he as limited all opponents to a total of five goals against in his last five starts – all wins in a critical late-season push for a playoff spot. In the process, he has re-established himself as the club's No. 1 goalie, despite a strong challenge from Michael Hutchinson. Even though, the Jets are playing the second of back-to-back games, with another big game in Vancouver, they need to go with the hot hand.
Paul Bruno has been writing about the fantasy sports scene for several years and is an accredited member of the sports media in Toronto for over 20 years. You are invited to send your feedback and you can follow him on Twitter (statsman22) or listen to him on www.120sports.com.
