This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
A pair of games stand out on Tuesday's NHL schedule for me this week.
Tampa, 8-2 in the last 10 games, heads to Montreal with a chance to deal a crippling blow to the Canadiens, who struggled mightily over the last two months before sweeping a pair of games this past weekend. The Bolts have been rolling offensively and could feast on a Habs team that's struggling to find its scoring groove. The Canadiens would be well advised to turn this into a low-chance game.
Meanwhile, emotions could be high in Boston, where Milan Lucic is returning for the first time since being traded to the Kings last July. The Bruins are 8-2 in their last 10 games and should be ready for a Los Angeles team that's cruising atop the Pacific Division. Expect Lucic and the Kings to try to establish a physical edge in this game, as a number of their top players are power forwards, while the Bruins' top attackers rely more on finesse.
Here are my recommendations for games on February 9, 2016:
C: Connor McDavid, EDM at NJ ($5,150): The flashy rookie made a seamless return to the Oilers' lineup and has found immediate chemistry playing with Jordan Eberle. At this price, he's a bargain as a point-per-game player who could explode at any time, particularly against a smallish Devils defense corps.
C: Sean Monahan, CGY vs. TOR ($5,000): The rangy pivot could have a big night against a Leafs team that was already thin on defense before trading Dion Phaneuf away Tuesday morning. The Flames should have a decided edge in play. Look for Monahan to avoid a matchup against Toronto's top checkers and feast on the Leafs' poor penalty-killing unit.
W: Kyle Okposo, NYI at CBJ ($5,350): Okposo has 10 points in his last eight games and is coming off a four-point effort in his last start. He has found a nice chemistry on a second line, where he is the "trigger man" alongside Frans Nielsen and Nikolay Kulemin. The 27-year-old should should also get some chances against the suspect Jackets penalty kill.
W: Jordan Eberle, EDM at NJ ($4,900): Eberle, as noted above, has found a complement to his high hockey IQ with McDavid and could have a big night against a Devils team that doesn't look to match up well against the skill of these young Oilers. Eberle picked up five points in two games, then he and his mates got drilled in the next two. Look for a rebound here.
W: Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. ANA ($4,900): Voracek has three multi-point efforts in his last four starts and is back on a potent top line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. That trio could pose a mismatch problem for the less-than-physical Anaheim defense corps.
W: Milan Lucic, LA at BOS ($4,900): Lucic will be fired up for his long-awaited return to Boston, and you can bet that his mates will want to make sure he has a happy night. He's been mired in a bit of a slide, with one assist in his last five games, but will be extra motivated on Tuesday.
D: Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. ANA ($4,100): Gostisbehere has been a revelation this year and has an eight-game point streak heading into Tuesday's game – yet he comes in at a very low price, one that looks like one of the best bargains of the day. He'll also get some extra chances against a Ducks team that visits the sin bin frequently.
D: Tyler Myers, WPG at STL ($3,900): Myers is getting plenty of shots on goal (17 in his last six games) while skating more than 22 minutes per game. For a guy with his offensive skills, that should translate into more than one point over that stretch. At this low price against a St. Louis team that has injury issues on the blue line and in goal, Myers has a great chance to get back on the scoresheet.
G: Jonas Hiller, CGY vs. TOR ($6,900): Hiller gets a very favorable matchup against a Leafs team that will be without four key parts of its offense, which is not too imposing at the best of times. He should be in line for an easy win and a light workload in this game.
