This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
Here are my recommendations on FantasyAces for Tuesday's games.
Center
Steven Stamkos ($6,000) – Any time this sniper lines up against the Leafs, particularly in Toronto, he's a must start. In 24 games against the Maple Leafs, he has 15 goals and 16 assists. Add to this success the motivation for the Bolts to chase down the Habs, whom they trail but one point with five games remaining. With all of that hanging in the balance, Stamkos and his mates should not stumble Tuesday.
Wingers
Radim Vrbata ($5,000) – The veteran winger finds himself back on the Canucks' top line and is wielding a hot stick of late, with six goals and six assists in his last nine games. The Canucks are another team with so much on the line over the remaining games and will be relying on their top players to be productive. With his current streak, Vrbata is central to that plan.
Scott Hartnell ($5,000) – Even though the Jackets are out of the playoff race, they have a veteran group that is playing with a lot of pride in recent games. Hartnell is a key part of this team's leadership and he won't let that level slip as long as there are games to be played. He has five goals and two assists in his last seven games, has compiled his eighth 20-goal season and remains one of the top power forwards in the NHL.
Brad Marchand ($4,650) – The feisty winger plays his best hockey when the stakes are high, so he should be raring to go against the Panthers in a crucial home game for Boston. Even though he has been quiet, with no goals in his last seven games, he still leads the B's with 22 this season. I think he will hit the scoresheet in this big contest.
David Pastrnak ($3,750) – The young winger has made quite an impact after being plugged into a depleted roster, posting 10 goals and 25 points in the 40-game rookie season sample that currently defines his NHL career. He has parlayed his proficiency into a regular shift with a similar involvement on the power play. Three of his 10 goals have ben game winners.
Defensemen
Alexander Edler ($3,850 – The Canucks are thrilled that Edler has returned to active duty with such a flourish. He continues to supply offense and direction from his defense post, with four points and a plus-3 over his last seven games, while consistently logging over 20 minutes. Beyond all the numbers, he is acknowledged as a calming influence and a true leader on a club that is battling for playoff positioning.
Matt Niskanen ($3,800) – Niskanen has been well off his career best production of 46 points that were recorded last season. He has been charged with learning to be more defensive-minded in a more balanced Washington scheme under tactician Barry Trotz. In recent games, he has displayed the offensive skills that everyone knew he still possessed, as he is on a stretch that has seen him produce seven points in his last six games.
Flex
David Krejci ($5,000) – The Bruins have to be thrilled that they can finally deploy both of their dependable offensive centers now that Krejci is back in the lineup. You only have to look at the fact that Boston has only two 20-goal scorers so far this year. As soon as Krejci was back in the lineup, he resumed his usual roles and workload with a seamless transition. The stakes are high for the Bruins and they will be counting on one of their top players to have a big impact on Tuesday hosting the Panthers.
Goaltender
Sergei Bobrovsky ($7,850) – Even though he toils for a club that will be on the outside of the playoffs, Bobrovsky is reminding observers that he is still an elite goalie based on his recent outings. That body of work includes five straight wins during which he has allowed a total of only 11 goals. He has a favorable matchup on Tuesday as the Jackets host the low-scoring Devils, who are another non-playoff team this year.
