The NHL continues to take center stage with the NBA All-Star break continuing, and there is a seven-game schedule tonight. The marquee matchup is the Penguins and Capitals game, with superstars Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin going head-to-head once again. The Capitals have won decisively in both games so far this year (3-0 and 4-0), but with the Penguins now healthy we should see an entirely different game tonight. The other six games feature a few powerhouse teams (Blues, Predators, Islanders), a few others that are out of the playoff picture and are battling to get back in (Panthers, Flyers, Sharks), and a handful of teams that are just preparing for the draft lottery (Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Devils). There are a lot of good teams and players to target for both cash game (50/50s, head-to-head) and GPP tournament lineups, and this article should help to narrow things down.

Today’s article will provide analysis for the teams in action, top teams to target for daily fantasy, recommend players for FanDuel, and even sample lineups that could be used to help build ones for tonight’s play.

Top Teams to Target Tonight for Daily Fantasy Hockey

St. Louis Blues – The Blues are the top offensive team of the night and are in the best position to put up “a crooked number” of goals (to borrow the baseball term). St. Louis is one of the league’s best teams on home ice, they’ve won three straight games, and we’ve seen their offense go off for big nights many times this year. Facing the Dallas Stars (who are third worst for goals against on the road, and missing some key players), the Blues should score at least a few tonight. When using Blues players in daily fantasy, it is tricky to know which line will go off, so it’s good to stack both in different tournament lineups, and to get a forward from each line in your cash game lineups.

Recommended Plays for FanDuel

TOP GOALTENDER PLAYS

Cory Schneider ($8,400) – The Devils are the biggest favorite of the night, despite not being a strong team overall and having a weak offense. The reason why they are so heavily favored is because they are facing the absolutely awful Sabres. Despite his team’s struggles this year, Schneider has played really well with a 2.30 GAA and .924 SvPct. Schneider is the best bet tonight for the win and two or fewer goals, and he’s priced below the other top options tonight, so there is a bit of salary relief there.

TOP RIGHT WINGER PLAYS

Vladimir Tarasenko ($7,400) – Tarasenko continues to be one of the best players in the NHL this year (29 goals, 55 points, 198 shots and +27 rating in 56 games), and is one of the best players for daily fantasy hockey. Tarasenko’s high shot total and ability to hit the scoresheet on a near nightly basis makes him a great cash game player regularly, and he also has that big game upside you look for as a player for tournament lineups.

Matt Read ($3,300) and Steve Bernier ($3,300) – Two VALUE plays at RW, both in good spots tonight on a top two scoring line and facing teams that give up a bunch of goals. Read has a four game point streak going, while Bernier scored last game himself.