Six games are on the slate for Friday, including a few matchups between some teams heading in opposite directions. We’re getting to the point in the season where the sample sizes of statistics can begin to actually mean something, so let’s see if there are any angles we can exploit and cash in on tonight.

TEAMS TO TARGET

Let’s start in Carolina where the Hurricanes will be hosting the best team currently from the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are white hot right now, and nobody would try to talk you out of building your team around either of these two tonight. Any time they are playing, they’re in play. Something else to keep in mind here: in addition to his time spent with them on the power play, Jason Spezza has recently been moved back to the top line alongside Seguin and Benn, and would come much cheaper than either of those two if you want exposure to the dynamic duo without the price tag. Another player to keep an eye on is defenseman Jason Demers who has four points and is a plus-5 in his last five games. I would temper expectations for the Stars as a whole tonight, however. Carolina is doing an excellent suppressing shots, as they are allowing the second fewest in the league right now at a mere 25.9 per game. They are also one of the better possession teams in the NHL as well, controlling 54.39% of the even strength shot attempts in their games so far this season.

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Speaking of even strength shot attempts, Colorado is the worst in this department, and it’s not even close. Almost 58% of their games are being played in their defensive end, something you almost have to try to accomplish, and is great news for a New York Rangers team that has won three straight. There’s a good chance Rick Nash will not play in this one, but linemates Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello would still be great plays. Give a bump to Emerson Etem who will jump up the lineup if in fact Nash is out.

Despite an influx of scoring talent on his roster, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston has all but came out and said that he is perfectly happy winning every game by a score of 2-1. Increased defensive responsibilities have tremendously hindered the stat sheets for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but matchup tonight against the Edmonton Oilers could change that. To go along with a terrible penalty kill, the Oilers have one of the highest goals against averages in the league right now. If you have to choose between the centers, give an edge to Malkin who has developed some chemistry with new linemate Phil Kessel, and should get the easier matchup against an Oilers second line that will be without the injured Connor McDavid. David Perron has looked much more comfortable with Malkin and Kessel after finally getting on the scoreboard in the Pens last game against Vancouver, and should also be in play tonight against his former team. Keep an eye on Eric Fehr who has two goals (both shorthanded) on three shots in his first two games with his new club.

The New Jersey Devils still like to clog the neutral zone and limit the oppositions scoring chances by way of sacrificing offense for themselves, so the could make things difficult tonight for the Chicago Blackhawks on the road. They do, however, still have one of the worst penalty kills in the league at 75.7%, so keep an eye on the Chicago power play. Patrick Kane, and to a lesser degree, Jonathan Toews should always be given consideration, but Artemi Panarin and Andrew Shaw should get a bump in value tonight as well. Throw in Brent Seabrook who has 11 points and three power play goals so far this season.

Against the grain play: Columbus has won two straight and are 4-3 since John Tortorella began his latest reign of terror in the NHL. The Ducks, who are still struggling to score goals, could still be without captain Ryan Getzlaf and will likely have backup Anton Khudobin and his horrid 4.06 GAA in net tonight. Scott Hartnell had four goals in two games against the Ducks last season. Boone Jenner has seven goals so far this season.

PLAYER RANKINGS

Rankings are price sensitive.

Center

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

2.) Henrik Zetterberg – $6,900 – Detroit Red Wings

3.) Tyler Seguin – $8,700 – Dallas Stars

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

5.) Jason Spezza – $5,900 – Dallas Stars

6.) Jonathan Toews – $6,500 – Chicago Blackhawks

Winger

1.) Jamie Benn – $8,000 – Dallas Stars

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

3.) Patrick Kane – $8,000 – Chicago Blackhawks

4.) Corey Perry – $6,900 – Anaheim Ducks

5.) Artemi Panarin – $5,000 – Chicago Blackhawks

6.) Mats Zuccarello – $5,200 – New York Rangers

7.) Cam Atkinson – $4,500 – Columbus Blue Jackets

8.) David Perron – $4,300 – Pittsburgh Penguins

Defense

1.) Brent Seabrook – $5,200 – Chicago Blackhawks

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

3.) Alex Goligoski – $4,200 – Dallas Stars

4.) John Klingberg – $5,200 – Dallas Stars

5.) Keith Yandle – $5,000 – New York Rangers

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

Goaltender

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

1.) Marc-Andre Fleury – $7,700 – Pittsburgh Penguins

2.) Kari Lehtonen – $6,700 – Dallas Stars

3.) Henrik Lundqvist – $8,000 – New York Rangers

4.) James Reimer – $6,400 – Toronto Maple Leafs

5.) Corey Crawford – $7,800 – Chicago Black Hawks

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