Mike Babcock is out and the Maple Leafs appear better off for it. The Islanders finally lost in regulation. Tampa is still out of the playoff picture, but with games in hand. Dallas is back in a big way, 9-0-1 in their last 10 games. Edmonton continues rolling. The Sharks have scratched their way back into the playoff picture, going 9-1-0 in their last 10. We are officially at the Thanksgiving measuring stick point of the season. Let’s take a look at a rare busy Wednesday night in the NHL.
Center
David Krejci (BOS): $5,800 @ OTT
With Patrice Bergeron injured, David Krejci has jumped up into the first group alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. He has made the most of it. He has seven points in his last five games. It has actually been a nice season thus far for Krejci, too, with 15 points in 17 games. The Bruins are on the road to face a Senators team that surrenders 2.96 goals per game. The Senators have played well of late, winning four straight, but I fully expect the Bruins to win this game, coming off their 8-1 drubbing of their rival Canadiens.
Wing
Artemi Panarin (NYR): $7,200 vs CAR
When Mika Zibanejad went down last month, there was cause for concern for Panarin’s production. Clearly, there was no concern necessary. Panarin is one of the hottest players in the league right now. In 22 games this season, he has been held off the scoresheet only three times. The Hurricanes are a good team, but if the Rangers manage to get on the board tonight, I would assume that Panarin is involved.
Anthony Beauvillier (NYI): $5,200 @ LA
The red-hot Islanders were finally defeated on Monday in Anaheim. I do not expect them to lose a consecutive game, especially against the Kings. Beauvillier has eight points in his last six games, shooting five times twice over that span. He will skate alongside Brock Nelson and the resurgent Derick Brassard, as well as on the top power play. Los Angeles gives up 3.46 goals per game, so I do not expect the Islanders to be shut out for a second game in a row.
Defense
Tyson Barrie (TOR): $4,800 @ DET
Tyson Barrie has a new lease on life with the exit of Mike Babcock. He looks like a guy with a weight lifted off his shoulders. Barrie was immediately placed on the first power play, and in the two games under Sheldon Keefe, he scored his first and second goals of the season, with three points and six shots. I expect Barrie may be a popular play, but I cannot help myself as the Leafs play a Detroit team that surrenders the most goals per game in the league.
Goalie
Semyon Varlamov (NYI): $8,000 @ LA
What Barry Trotz and the New York Islanders are doing this season is remarkable. On Monday, they lost their first game in regulation since October 11, which was their third game of the season. The Islanders’ defensive core, consisting of Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews, Scott Mayfield, Nick Leddy, and Johnny Boychuk, is one of the best in the league. They limit high-quality scoring chances and keep shots from the perimeter. Tonight the Islanders face off with a Kings team that scores the fifth-fewest goals per game in the league. I expect them to turn to Varlamov after Greiss took the loss on Monday, but if they went back to Greiss, I would play him as well. Varlamov has seven wins, a 2.63 GAA, and a .913 save percentage this season.
Chris Genova is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyOneTimer.
