This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
After there was only one game Monday, Tuesday is more like business as usual for the NHL with a seven-game slate. Here are some recommendations…
GOALIE
Washington Capitals, WAS vs. VAN ($16,600): These are two teams in very different places right now. The Capitals have won four in a row, while the Canucks have lost four straight. Vancouver has also only scored 2.68 goals per game and put 29.8 shots on net per contest. It doesn't really matter who is in net for Washington in this matchup, but it will likely be Braden Holtby (2.68 GAA, .917 save percentage).
CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NAS vs. EDM ($11,200): Johansen has averaged 3:29 on the power play, and he's tallied nine points with the extra man in 38 contests. He could easily continue that success in this tilt, as the Oilers have the league's worst penalty kill. Johansen has been playing particularly well recently to boot, with eight points (four on the power play) in 12 games since returning from injury.
Paul Stastny, STL vs. FLA ($11,000): After a stretch where points were hard to come by, Stastny has four points and 15 shots on net in his last four games. He also has an 8.6 shooting percentage, which would be a career low for him. More luck could be on the way. The Panthers have allowed 35.4 shots on goal per contest, most in the league, so Stastny should have plenty of opportunity in this one.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG at BUF ($15,200): Laine has started 57.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, tops on the Jets. Though he doesn't have a goal in his last seven games, he has 18 total, including six assists in those seven contests. The Sabres have a team GAA of 3.38, which is third worst in the NHL.
Mike Hoffman, OTT vs. CHI ($10,800): Hoffman has put 135 shots on net through 40 games, but owing to an incredibly low 7.4 shooting percentage, he only has 10 goals. That should change. The Blackhawks have allowed 33.0 shots on net per contest, so Hoffman should put a few pucks on goal in this one. With Corey Crawford still banged up, journeyman netminder Jeff Glass may be in net once again.
Alexander Steen, STL vs. FLA ($8,700): Speaking of guys with bad puck luck, Steen has a 6.2 shooting percentage through 39 games. However, things have gone better recently, as he has three goals (and three assists) in his last eight tilts. As previously noted, the Panthers have ceded 35.4 shots on net per contest, and they also have a team GAA of 3.17.
DEFENSEMEN
Duncan Keith, CHI at OTT ($10,000): Keith has put 97 shots on net through 41 games and hasn't scored. That hasn't stopped him from having some success this year, though. He's notched 20 assists, including six on the power play. The veteran has also averaged 3:41 per game with the extra man. The Senators have the 28th-ranked penalty kill, so Keith could find some power-play success. Hey, maybe he'll even score a goal!
Dougie Hamilton, CGY at MIN ($9,800): Hamilton has recorded a team-high 121 shots on net this year. The scoring hasn't always been there, but he did light the lamp in his last game and had 50 points last season. The Wild have allowed 32.3 shots on net per tilt, and Alex Stalock will be in net for this one. He has a 2.81 GAA and a .913 save percentage in his last eight outings.
