As the Christmas roster freeze looms, teams are assessing where they are. After holding him out for precaution in consecutive games, the Devils finally found a trading partner for Taylor Hall in the Arizona Coyotes. I like this move for Arizona, despite the fact that Hall is not willing to talk about an extension until the off-season. Let’s take a look at tonight’s full eleven game slate.
Center
Jack Eichel (BUF): $8,100 vs TOR
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that Jack Eichel is a good play tonight. Eichel is putting together a potential Hart Trophy campaign. His point streak stands at 16 consecutive games. He has 23 goals, 25 assists, for 48 points in 34 games. Most importantly, the Sabres are currently sitting in playoff position. Tonight they will take the short trip up to Toronto, which always seems to be a measuring stick for them. With all of the Toronto media watching, I think Eichel will be at his very best this evening, perhaps leaving everyone to wonder who the better American player really is…
Wing
Alex Killorn (TB): $5,200 vs OTT
Killorn is quietly putting together a very nice season. He has nine goals, 17 assists, for 26 points in 29 games played. Right now, he’s slated to play with Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos, as well as on the top power-play unit. He’s hot lately, with nine points in his last six games. With Nikita Kucherov potentially out for this contest, Jon Cooper could throw his lines in a blender. For now, I like Killorn tonight with Ottawa in town coming off a 6-1 drubbing last night against Florida.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (CBJ): $5,900 @ DET
Bjorkstrand is becoming a mainstay in this column. He only has three points in his previous eight games, but no one is shooting the puck more than he is. He is averaging 5.3 shots per game in his last eight contests, second to no one. He continues to skate on the top unit with Boone Jenner and Gustav Nyquist, and gets top power play time as well. The Blue Jackets are playing on a back to back, but they are in Detroit tonight to take on the Red Wings and their league-worst 4.00 goals against per game.
Defense
Neal Pionk (WPG): $4,900 vs CAR
Neal Pionk seemed to be the forgotten man this summer when he was dealt along with a first-round pick by the Rangers in order to acquire Jacob Trouba. Pionk showed flashes of offensive upside when in New York, and with the losses to the Jets back end this season, I am not surprised to see him relish in the opportunity. He has five points in his previous five games, and he is positioned at the top of the Jets lethal first power-play unit. Winnipeg is heating up, 7-2-1 in their last ten, despite an odd loss to the Red Wings last week.
Goalie
Thomas Greiss (NYI): $8,000 vs NSH
I’m going to take a guess and say the Islanders go with Greiss tonight. Should they decide to play Varlamov, I would play him as well. The Islanders are a well-oiled machine on defense, surrendering a league-low 72 goals through 31 games this season. Greiss has been phenomenal in goal, with a 2.16 GAA, .932 SV%, and an 11-4 record. The Islanders will be fresh, waiting at home to take on a Predators team that played at Madison Square Garden last night. The Predators were shut out 3-0 in the second game of their only back to back this season.
Chris Genova is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyOneTimer.
