Today is the start of March Madness, but the NHL doesn't seem too concerned about that. There are a whopping 12 NHL games on the slate Thursday, although quite a few Canadian teams are in action. They don't care as much about college hoops up there. Here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
David Rittich, CGY vs. OTT ($8,300): With Mike Smith struggling again, Rittich is starting to get the bulk of the starts once more. He's been adequate when called upon, as he has a 2.52 GAA and .911 save percentage. At least this matchup looks good for the Czech goalie. After all, the Senators are probably the worst team in the league, and they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS at NJD ($6,100): Krejci has eight points in his last eight contests, bringing him up to 63 points on the season. While that's an improvement upon his last couple of campaigns, it's similar to the kind of numbers he's put up in seasons past, so we can consider this a bit of a return to form. Speaking of form, New Jersey's defense has had poor form. The Devils have a 3.36 GAA, third highest in the NHL.
Paul Stastny, VGK vs. WPG ($5,500): Stastny has notched 11 points in his last 11 games. That gives him 35 points on the season, which is good when you consider the fact he's only played in 43 contests. Meanwhile, the Jets have a 3.33 GAA since the All-Star break, and to make matters worse for them they are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back.
WING
Brayden Schenn, STL vs. DET ($5,900): Schenn has a point in each of his last two games, and since returning from injury he has seven points in his last eight contests, including three with the extra man. The Red Wings have a 3.34 GAA, but they've been decidedly worse since the All-Star break. In that time, it has a 3.50 GAA.
Kevin Labanc, SAN at LOS ($5,200): Labanc has started 58.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among Sharks forwards. Perhaps that has helped him to tally 11 points in his last 13 games. On top of that, Labanc has 18 points with the extra man, while the Kings have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Michael Frolik, CGY vs. OTT ($4,300): Frolik gets the least attention among Calgary's top six forwards, but he still has 15 goals and 16 assists in 56 games. Of course, this is as much about the matchup as anything else. The Senators have a 4.31 GAA in away contests, and they are on the second night of a back-to-back as well.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLM at EDM ($5,900): Jones has averaged a whopping 27:09 in ice time over his last nine games, including 2:21 with the extra man. He's tallied 42 points in 66 games this season, including nine power-play points. As for the Oilers, they have a 3.32 GAA, but just as notably the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. TAM ($5,800): Hamilton has put 226 shots on net in 72 games, notching 13 goals in the process. That's worth noting, especially since the Lightning have allowed 32.0 shots on net per game. Plus, they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back as well. Louis Domingue will also likely be in net, and he has a .908 save percentage.
