Wednesday features only two matchups, as the defending cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, take on elite opposition in the Chicago Blackhawks. Carolina will also play for the second time in as many nights, as they take on a hot Tampa Bay Lightning squad.
The Pens & Blackhawks matchup should be interesting as the teams have yet to play one another this season. Both sit in the top five in the league, as Pittsburgh is in third with 84 points with Chicago trailing by one. The game will be the second of a back-to-back for the Pens, which could make a difference depending on whether a fresh Fleury will still be on the roster after the trade deadline comes and goes.
The Hurricanes will also be finishing a back-to-back, with Eddie Lack expected to get the start. Lack has posted a weak .883 save percentage this season, going 2-4-1. There is a high chance that his rough season continues against a Tampa team that 6-2-2 in their last ten, and coming off a 5-1 blowout of the Ottawa Senators.
The Lineup
C – T. Johnson (TB) – $5,500
Johnson like many of his teammates, is coming off a big game where he notched two assists, a power play point, and four SOG. With favorable odds to stay hot against the lowly Hurricanes, pick up Johnson along with a few of his teammates.
C – B. Point (TB) – $4,000
The young Lightning star is on a serious hot streak with points in six of his last seven game. At a low cost, Point is a great center option.
W – A. Killorn (TB) – $4,600
Playing on the same line as the aforementioned Point, Killorn is also in for a big night against the Canes.
W – J. Drouin (TB) – $5,400
Keeping on the streak of Tampa Bay players, Drouin has great potential to rack in points Wednesday against Carolina. He put up three assists in the previous game, all on the power play.
W – P. Hornqvist (PIT) – $6,500
Breaking from the Tampa trend, Hornqvist has been one of the most productive wingers this year playing on a line with Evgeni Malkin. He’s a great bet to perform, while also giving you a little more diversity in your lineup.
D – V. Hedman (TB) – $6,600
Tampa’s #1 D-man, Hedman has been nothing but a beast this season. With 51 points in just 58 games, the 2009 second overall pick is set to perform Wednesday.
D – B. Seabrook (CHI) – $4,400
Blackhawks defensemen Seabrook comes surprisingly cheap at only $4,400. This is a great buy low opportunity, so you can spend your budget elsewhere.
G – A. Vasilevskiy (TB) – $8,200
Andrei Vasilevskiy is finally the undoubted number one goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He responded to the Ben Bishop trade by only allowing one goal against the Senators on Monday. Expect him to put up a similar performance against the Hurricanes.
Util – J. Schultz (PIT) – $4,800
Taking up the final spot on this roster in Pittsburgh’s Justin Schultz. The Penguins D-man ranks fourth out of all defensemen in +/-, which he has followed up with 39 points so far on the season. With Kris Letang possibly out of the lineup due to injury, Schultz has the opportunity to lead the Pens defensive core against the Blackhawks.