The last night before the All-Star break gives us a full 15-game NHL slate. With just one team sitting out, there will be a lot of options to choose from. Ownership will be spread out on every player so it is a great night for GPPs. Let’s take a look at some players who will be options this evening.

Center

William Karlsson (VGK): $6,800 vs. NYI
The opening line of this game was set at a game total of seven with the Vegas Golden Knights being a -200 favorite. Rarely do we see goal totals set this high, but there is a good chance this line will hold. The Knights are ranked second overall in the NHL (by one point to the Lightning) and are nearly unbeatable at home. The New York Islanders are allowing the most goals against in the NHL and are dealing with injuries. William Karlsson will center the top forward line of the dangerous Vegas Golden Knights. In one of the highest expected goal totals of the year, look for a combination of the Knights top six forwards.

Logan Couture (SJ): $6,100 vs. NYR
It was announced on Wednesday that Joe Thornton will be placed on injured reserve which should increase playing time for Couture. Check for the latest line combinations before locking him into your lineup. That being said, Couture is still an elite player, at home, and against an injured and weak defensive Rangers team. The New York Rangers have now fallen to 31st in Corsi with a 46.18 CF%. Conversely, the Sharks are ranked 9th at 51.91 CF%. Likely being bumped to the top forward line, Couture should thrive playing alongside Joe Pavelski.

Other Centers to consider:
Cash – Tyler Seguin ($7,500 vs. TOR), David Krejci ($5,400 @ OTT)
GPP – Nicklas Backstrom ($6,200 @ FLA), Nick Schmaltz ($5,500 @ DET)

Wing

Alex Ovechkin (WAS): $8,100 @ FLA
When in doubt, play Alex Ovechkin. On a night with so many studs, paying up for the most expensive forward is never a bad option. The Great Eight is just shy of 30 goals scored in the first 48 games. Although Washington is on the road, the Florida Panthers have been a great team to target for offense all season long. They are an undisciplined team (ranked 30th in penalty minutes per game) and the Capitals attack often during the man advantage. Not-so-bold call of the night: Alex Ovechkin scores a power-play goal.

Jonathan Marchessault (VGK): $7,200 vs. NYI
The top right winger of the Golden Knights is now over a point-per-game player. With 46 points in 44 games, Marchessault is having a career year like most of his teammates. His price has increased steadily along with his production. People looking to stack this game will likely look at the cheaper second line, but Karlsson, Marchessault, and Reilly Smith will also log time on the top power-play unit. Marchessault has an incredibly positive advanced statistic line which adds intrigue when selecting players from this game. (54.67 CF%, 63.08 GF%, 54.99 SCF%, 55.16 HDCF%)

Joe Pavelski (SJ): $6,000 vs. NYR
The loss of Joe Thornton might actually help Joe Pavelski’s scoring potential IF Logan Couture moves up to his line. Pavelski is one of the better cash game plays each night with his high floor in fantasy production. With 123 shots in 47 games, the veteran is averaging nearly three shots on goal per game. His shooting percentage is down on the year. There is room for improvement and against the Rangers, and he should find the back of the net.

Danton Heinen (BOS): $4,500 @ OTT
One of the better value plays tonight is Danton Heinen. Brad Marchand was handed a five-game suspension yesterday which will leave an open spot on the top Bruins line. Again, make sure to confirm starting lineups. If Heinen slots in on the top line, he is a great play against a bad Senators team. The Sens are on a four-game losing streak while going just 3-6-1 in their last 10. They were blown out 5-0 against the Boston Bruins on December 30th. Cheap value players will need to be rostered on a night like this, and Heinen is one of the top options.

Other Wingers to consider:
Cash – Jamie Benn ($7,200 vs. TOR), Brock Boeser ($6,600 vs. BUF)
GPP – Mikael Granlund ($6,200 @ PIT), Thomas Hertl ($4,900 vs. NYR)

Defense

Shea Theodore (VGK): $4,700 vs. NYI
The analysis is fairly straightforward for Theodore. He plays on the top power-play unit in a game where his team is expected to score four goals. Although the season statistics don’t show Theodore as the most offensive defenseman on the team, his role has increased and he has been thriving. At just 22 years old, Theodore has great potential and the Golden Knights will continue to put him in situations to succeed.

Brent Burns (SJ): $7,100 vs. NYR
He’s very expensive for a d-man but worth it. With Ovechkin, Brent Burns should be among the highest scoring player on the night. Burns contributes across the board for fantasy purposes giving him an extremely high floor. After an absolutely terrible start to the season, critics can now be silenced. The Rangers have three key injuries which should keep the floodgates open to a team who allowed six goals against Anaheim and four against the Kings. As the third game in the California swing, the Sharks should take care of the depleted Rangers in the late-night hammer.

Goalie

Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK): $7,800 vs. NYI
Marc-Andre Fleury is the heaviest favorite on the board tonight. It is always uneasy to start a goalie against the New York Islanders. However, the injuries keep piling up for this team. Six starting NHL players on the Islanders are out of the lineup. For Vegas, they will be looking to tie the record of most wins by a team in its inaugural season. With a victory over the Islanders, the Golden Knights will share this record before the All-Star break. At home, the Knights have lost just two games in regulation. Although a shutout seems unlikely against John Tavares and company, Fleury should secure the win at home tonight.

Other Goalies to consider:
All formats – Carey Price ($7,900 vs. CAR), Tuukka Rask ($8,300 @ OTT)

Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.