3-on-3 - The Biggest NHL Fantasy Questions of the Week
Here are three burning questions affecting NHL fantasy players this week:
Which Dallas Stars player is in for a big Monday night?
Andrew Potter: Jamie Benn. The captain has been in a minor slump - though not as bad as linemate Tyler Seguin - but is still taking more than four shots per game in his recent stretch. Those shot attempts will eventually start finding twine with greater frequency. Is there a more appropriate team than the Flames to ignite Benn's next hot streak? He's a must-own DFS forward.
Josh Wegman: Benn. Calgary's first line center, Sean Monahan, is savvy enough defensively to contain Seguin, but the Flames have no winger that comes even close to matching up with Benn. Calgary's defense is also much weaker on the right side, which is Benn's point of attack as the league's top left winger. He's an elite daily fantasy play Monday.
James Bisson: Benn is in great shape, but it's Seguin who will produce more points for fantasy players Monday. Both skaters have 44 points in 30 games in victories, and the Stars should have little trouble securing the win in this one. Seguin is more of a streaky scorer than Benn, and a home date with Calgary is just the thing to get him back in the point parade.
Who will lead the league in goals this (shortened) week?
Andrew Potter: Max Pacioretty. With teams breaking after Wednesday for All-Star festivities, some of the league's best offenses (Washington, Dallas, Chicago) only play once this week. The Habs, however, play twice: back-to-back against the Blue Jackets and their league-leading 3.2 goals allowed per game. Pacioretty could finish with three or more goals in two games.
Josh Wegman: Pacioretty. No team plays more than two games this week due to the NHL All-Star break, and no team has two better matchups than the Habs: two games against Columbus. The Blue Jackets have a league worst GAA of 3.20 and have absolutely no answers in net with regular starting netminder Sergei Bobrovsky injured.
James Bisson: Ryan Johansen. The skilled forward is averaging better than a point per game since coming to Nashville in a trade with Columbus, and will play in winnable road games against Vancouver and Calgary prior to the break. The former 30-goal scorer looks invigorated with the Predators, and is a great bet to score multiple times this week.
Which star netminder has a difficult stretch ahead?
Andrew Potter: Henrik Lundqvist. Despite propelling his team to second in the Metropolitan Division in yet another fantastic season, King Henrik will be iced out of the All-Star Game. The difficulty he'll face is more a matter of pride than on-ice performance; after all, the Sabres shouldn't pose much of a threat to his save percentage when they come to Madison Square Garden.
Josh Wegman: James Reimer. The Maple Leafs goaltender has been a revelation this season, but Toronto never seems to play well in the Sunshine State. Reimer is 1-4 with an .873 save percentage and a 3.50 GAA against Florida, and Tampa Bay has won seven of its last eight, averaging 3.5 goals over that stretch.
James Bisson: Reimer. In addition to his noted struggles in Florida, the Panthers and Lightning are a combined 29-15-4 at home this season. If you're playing daily fantasy this week, fade Reimer hard. If you're deciding between netminders in season-long leagues, opt for just about anyone but Reimer despite the two-start week.