This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
Here are my recommendations on FantasyAces for Friday's games.
Center
Jonathan Toews ($5,550) - The Hawks' captain looks ready for the playoffs. He has five points in his last seven games and with Patrick Kane out of the lineup, he has added responsibility to produce more offense. He won't let his team take the cellar-dwelling Sabres lightly Friday.
Wingers
Matt Moulson ($4,250) - Even though his team has not played a meaningful game all year and is winding up a season to forget, Moulson has continued to press on and play his game. He has produced six points in his last seven games to underscore that fact. He is a focal point for the Sabres' special teams and a top-line forward, so he is being counted upon for offense and should get a couple of chances to score every time he laces them up for Buffalo.
Brendan Gallagher ($4,850) - Gallagher has recorded career-highs in goals (23), points (45) and a plus-20 rating in his third year with the Habs. The matchup against the tight-checking Devils is just the type of game that suits his playing style. He is also an impactful part of the Canadiens' power play when he takes up residency in front of opposing goalies. In a projected low-scoring game Friday, he has the chance to be a difference maker.
Alex Galchenyuk ($4,550) – Galchenyuk is another third-year pro with the Habs who has scored career-highs in goals (20) and points (45), helping the team reach for the top of the Atlantic division. He is projected to have an even higher ceiling as a recent first-round draft pick with his talent and size. He has seen his minutes rise steadily all year long and is earning more time on the power play of late. Montreal is not known as a high-scoring team, but it is clear that they look for him to take on a bigger role in that regard.
T.J. Oshie ($5,250) - Oshie has rebounded nicely from an illness that impacted him recently, as he has notched points in his last three games. He is firmly entrenched on the Blues' top line, working with David Backes and Alexander Steen, who could miss Friday's game because of a lower-body injury. So, Oshie is in line for top power-play minutes as well as a regular shift, meaning that he should play at least 17-to-20 minutes per game. Against a weak defensive team like the Stars, he and the more disciplined Blues have a favorable matchup.
Defensemen
James Wisniewski ($4,250) – Although he has been a little suspect in adjusting to the Ducks' game plan and is a minus-15 on the season, Wisniewski has shown signs that he is fitting into the offensive side of their approach, with assists in three of his last four games. That's a key development because so much of the Anaheim attack begins from their puck-moving rearguards. He was brought over from Columbus to reprise his role as a power-play quarterback and working with the top offensive stars of the Ducks means that he could have a big night.
Francois Beauchemin ($3,550) – Although he is surrounded by a number of younger offensive-minded partners among the Ducks' defensemen, Beauchemin is trailing only Sami Vatanen with his career-high 11 goals this season. Most importantly, two have come in his last two games. The Ducks match up well against a suspect Colorado defensive structure and are at home. A responsible two-way player, like Beauchemin, who sports a plus-20 rating, can feast upon situations like this tilt on Friday.
Flex
David Backes ($5,350) – Backes, as the rugged captain of a deep St. Louis team, knows the importance of the final week of this season in the ultra-competitive Central division, with the Blues trailing Nashville by only two points and one point up on the Blackhawks. He leads by his all-in physical approach to the game every night and carries the burden of first-line forward on this strong team with a keen sense of his leadership role. He is expected to have an edge over the lower intensity offered by a Stars team that is out of the playoff race, when the teams meet Friday.
Goaltender
John Gibson ($7,350) – Gibson has made a determined bid to grab at least an equal share of the goalie responsibilities, splitting time with Frederik Andersen, who carried the bulk of the load while Gibson was out with injuries earlier this season. It looks like it's his turn in the rotation, and he has the benefit of a home date against a Colorado team that won't make the playoffs. He has been streaky in recent outings, with a three-game win streak followed by two losses, but he had a strong one-goal against effort in his last outing.
