It’s Friday the 13th, and we’re going to try to make a *killing* with the four games on tonight’s slate. We’ve been afforded with a few matchups between teams heading in opposite directions, so let’s jump right in to the action.

TEAMS TO TARGET

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The Washington Capitals played last night, as did their opponent, the Calgary Flames. Washington was victorious while the Flames lost again, but the most significant difference is Washington was  an hour or so up the road in Philadelphia, while Calgary has to travel north from Tampa. It’s an intangible factor, no question, but a factor nonetheless. And in short, for the Flames it doesn’t really matter where they are playing right now – they’re really struggling. No team has given up more goals per game than the Flames – who are also allowing 30-plus shots per game. Also, the Flames are giving up 3.36 even strength goals per game on the road – second worst in the league. The Caps are in the best spot to put up big numbers, and all the usual suspects should be in play, especially Alex Ovechkin.  Ovechkin will try for a third time to become the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leader among Russian-born players. His next goal will be No. 484, breaking a tie with Hockey Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov. He had a goal negated by a coach’s challenge last night, and 15 SOG the night before, so AO should be ready to go in this one. Also, give a slight bump in value to the Caps second line of Johansson-Backstrom-Burakovsky, who should get the more favorable matchup against struggling defensemen Kris Russell and Dougie Hamilton.

Slowly, but surely, the Penguins offense is coming around. They’ll get a Columbus Blue Jackets team who has lost two straight and is still trying form any semblance of continuity up front while their defense – which we knew wouldn’t be great coming in to this season – continues to struggle. The top line of Scott Hartnell, Brandon Dubinsky, and Brandon Saad is getting it done – the line itself is above 50% in even strength shot attempts, but the problem for Columbus is everything after that. Historically, Dubinsky has always matched up against Sidney Crosby, and there is no reason to think that won’t be the case again tonight, so give the edge to the Penguins second line of Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and David Perron.

Though the matchup between the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks isn’t particularly intriguing at first glance, it’s worth noting that the Sharks line of Joel Ward, Patrick Marleau, and Thomas Hertl has been one of the most productive in the NHL over the past ten games. The six goals they have accounted for is good for fourth in that span and is the highest total for any one line on the slate tonight.

PLAYER RANKINGS

Rankings are price sensitive.

Center

1.) Evgeni Malkin – $7,200 – Pittsburgh Penguins

2.) Nicklas Backstrom – $6,800 – Washington Capitals

3.) Sidney Crosby – $7,800 – Pittsburgh Penguins

4.) Ryan Getzlaf – $6,600 – Anaheim Ducks

5.) Evgeni Kuznetsov – $5,700 – Washington Capitals

6.) Dylan Larkin – $4,400 – Detroit Red Wings

Wing

1.) Alex Ovechkin – $9,600 – Washington Capitals

2.) Phil Kessel – $7,300 – Pittsburgh Penguins

3.) Corey Perry – $6,800 – Anaheim ducks

4.) Patrick Marleau – $5,800 – San Jose Sharks

5.) T.J. Oshie – $6,000 – Washington Capitals

6.) Gustav Nyquist – $5,200 – Detroit Red Wings

7.) Johnny Gaudreau – $6,200 – Calgary Flames

8.) Thomas Hertl – $4,700 – San Jose Sharks

Defense

1.) Brent Burns – $6,900 – San Jose Sharks

2.) John Carlson – $6,400 – Washington Capitals

3.) Kris Letang – $5,700 – Pittsburgh Penguins

4.) Sami Vatanen – $5,300 – Anaheim Ducks

5.) Hampus Lindholm – $4,600 – Anaheim Ducks

6.) Dennis Wideman – $4,400 – Calgary Flames

Goaltender

As always, make sure to check out LeftWingLock for goalie confirmations and let’s begin. 

1.) Jeff Zatkoff – $7,000 – Pittsburgh Penguins

2.) Philipp Grubauer – $6,900 – Washington Capitals

3.) Jaroslav Halak – $7,300 – New York Islanders

4.) Martin Jones – $7,100 – San Jose Sharks

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