This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Tuesday.
C: Jeff Carter ($5,500) – The big center has started slowly, as has the rest of the Kings roster, but on Tuesday they host division rival Vancouver, a team that does not match up to their size or willingness to play it tough. Los Angeles surely won't lose three straight home games to open their season.
W: Milan Lucic ($4,800) – The burly winger sent a message to the Sharks that he wants his space on the ice. He should get plenty of it if the Canucks were watching those highlights. The Kings slow start will have him playing with a bad mood and that's when he's at his best.
W: Patrick Sharp ($5,250) – The Stars' shiny new addition to their prolific offense should be excited to play with Jason Spezza, an excellent offensive center in a potent second line that won't see the best checkers every night. Sharp is out to re-establish himself as a 30-goal shooter in the NHL after dipping to only 16 tallies last year. He faces the defensively inept Oilers at home to boot.
W: T.J. Oshie ($4,900) – Oshie saw plenty of ice time (21:45) and power play duty (4:45) with his former team in St Louis. He is a lock on the top line with the Caps and has a chance to be post career-best numbers in this situation. He and the Caps host a Sharks team that should take a backward step this season.
W: Filip Forsberg ($5,250) – The Preds young breakout star from last season is poised to repeat that success, playing with fellow sniper James Neal and the club's best puck-moving center, Mike Ribeiro, on what should be an explosive line. That unit could light things up against an overmatched Devils squad Tuesday.
D: Alex Goligoski ($4,000) – The Stars will be looking for Goligoski to be on their top defense pairing with equally skilled John Klingberg, and they will be part of a dynamic power play in a favorable matchup against the aforementioned Oilers.
D: Seth Jones ($3,650) – Jones is a second pairing defenseman on the Predators, but the club is committing to his regular use on the power play this season. That will play into his improving offensive development. He was a two-way force as a junior, but he has focused on the defensive side of his game in making the transition to the NHL. His growing confidence will translate to career-high points totals, aided by matchups like a Tuesday night visit to New Jersey.
Flex: Cody Eakin ($4,000) – Eakin has landed the plum assignment as the pivot between Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, two of the league's top scorers last season. He ought to see a huge spike in his offensive totals as long as he fits in, and he comes into Monday's game with a very favorable price tag, given his current first line status.
G: Jonathan Quick ($7,650) – Like the rest of the Kings, their star goalie cannot be pleased with two lopsided home ice losses. This team has been a notorious slow starter in the last couple of seasons but they won't let a third game get away from. I expect a lockdown performance on Monday against Vancouver.
