Here come the Lightning. Tampa Bay has now won seven straight games. Last night they defeated the previously streaking Vancouver Canucks 9-2. Is it time for San Jose to pack it in? Could they be a suitor for Rangers odd goaltender out, Alexandar Georgiev? Will the Predators see the bump they need after the firing of Peter Laviolette and hiring of John Hynes? Still, plenty to watch for all this NHL season hits the back nine. Let’s look at a jam-packed Thursday evening in the NHL.
Center
Patrice Bergeron (BOS): $7.700 vs WPG
The Boston Bruins will welcome the Winnipeg Jets to town tonight. The Jets are coming off a back to back after defeating the Maple Leafs in a shoot out last night. In Winnipeg’s three back-to-back performances this season, they are averaging four goals against per game. This brings me to Patrice Bergeron. He is over a point per game with 37 points in 35 contests. He centers the dynamic top line alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. He is a staple of the top power-play unit. I expect Boston to score three or more goals tonight, and if that were true, I would expect Bergeron to be a major part of it.
Wing
Ilya Kovalchuk (MTL): $4,000 vs EDM
I didn’t expect Ilya Kovalchuk to appear in this column ever again. However, with three points in his first two games with the Montreal Canadiens, I could not help myself. The Habs have given Kovalchuk every opportunity to flourish early on. He is playing on the top line with Tomas Tatar and Phillip Danault, and he is the triggerman on the top power-play unit. The Canadiens will host the Oilers tonight, whom have surrendered 3.6 goals per game over their last five contests.
Tanner Pearson (VAN): $4,800 @ FLA
The Tanner Pearson, Bo Horvat, Loui Eriksson line has been extremely impressive. The Canucks recently saw their seven-game winning streak come to a screeching halt in a 9-2 loss against the Lightning. I expect them to bring a much better effort tonight. Pearson is hot lately with nine points in his previous six games. Tonight they visit the Florida Panthers that simply can’t keep pucks out of their net, surrendering the fourth-most goals per game in the league.
Defense
Shea Theodore (VGK): $5,100 vs LA
Theodore has been doing everything lately. In his past five games, he has six points. He is averaging 3.6 shots on goal per game over that span as well. He was recently promoted onto the top power-play unit, alongside Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, Paul Stastny, and Alex Tuch – a top ten unit in the league in terms of efficiency. Expect Theodore to log upwards of 23 minutes and fire several shots on goal.
Goalie
Igor Shesterkin (NYR): $7,900 vs NJD
It’s certainly too early to anoint Shesterkin the new starting goalie in New York. However, he looked solid in his career debut on Tuesday in a 5-3 win against the Avalanche. Shesterkin recorded league-high numbers in the AHL and was voted into the AHL All-Star Game. The Rangers certainly did not want to carry three healthy goalies, but they did not have any other choice. Shesterkin is not the confirmed starter for this evening, so keep your eyes on that. However, I don’t think the Rangers brought him up not to play him. Assuming he gets the call, I like the Rangers odds at a win tonight, they are a -165 favorite at the sportsbook.
Chris Genova is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyOneTimer.
