The Shot Dude: On Frozen Pond
Time to crank up the lights, check the sound system, and freeze the rinks.
Your favorite Shot Dude is overjoyed that the greatest skaters in the world will be competing on frozen ponds again.
With the All-Star break in the rear-view mirror, the NHL regular season resumes tonight with 24 teams in action.
You can gauge all the matchups with the help of the trusted Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
Play your fantasy games on FanDuel, the leader in providing the best variety of contests and price increments. Now, on to some guys I really like tonight:
Forwards
Taylor Hall, Edmonton ($7800) ... comes back from the break riding a five-game points streak and looks to pick up right where he left off, registering 48 points in 50 games. Dude currently ranks fourth in the NHL in shots with 190. The Oilers skate home ice tonight against Columbus, a team that'd like to forget the first half of the season. The Blue Jackets led the NHL in goals allowed overall, mostly due to the 84 they surrendered in 27 road games.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington ($7300) ... was dominant prior to the break, recording 16 points in 10 January games. If you were smart enough to include him in your lineup during that time, your reward was a fantasy score of 6.8 or higher on five different occasions. Kuznetsov has scored 15 goals on 104 shots and is the Capitals' leader with 49 total points in 47 games. Washington also skates in their barn against Florida, winners of three straight.
Loui Eriksson, Boston ($4700) ... spent the first half-season contributing 39 points in 49 games. That was stunning, since he'd finished the last two campaigns with totals of 47 and 37 points, respectively. Despite reaching the age of 30, Eriksson is playing almost 20 minutes a game and got off 102 shots before the break. I like him to hit the scoresheet tonight at home against Toronto. The Maple Leafs have lost four consecutive games and 9 of their last 10.
Defensemen
Kris Letang, Pittsburgh ($6100) ... like Kuznetsov, put up some lofty fantasy scores in January. It took getting past the early season injuries, but Letang's last 10 games have seen him produce 14 points. That gives him 33 points, with 111 shots in 38 games for the season. Pittsburgh gets home ice advantage against Ottawa, the team that's surrendered the most road goals with 89 in just 26 contests.
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa ($7100) ... blasted 9 shots in his last game against Buffalo. That gives him 24 in his last 4 games, and 145 for the season. It not only places Karlsson sixth among all NHL d-men, but his 52 points in 50 games tops all skaters on the Senator team. I love offensive-minded d-men and try to insert them into my lineups whenever the salary cap allows. Karlsson should take advantage of Pittsburgh, the team that's surrendered the second-highest amount of shots on home ice with 786 so far.
Goaltender
Tuukka Rask, Boston ($8300) ... clawed his way to a 17-15 first half record. Tonight is all about the matchup for me. Three of those wins came against tonight's opponent, Buffalo. Dude shut down the Sabres to the tune of a .946 save percentage and 1.62 GAA in those three starts. Rask will also benefit from Buffalo's lack of scoring. The Sabres have mustered just 113 goals in 50 games; fifth worst in the NHL.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes you get back to some hockey on frozen pond watching and fantasy winning tonight.
Be a great role model for our children by always giving it your best shot!
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