Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

This game holds little meaning for both clubs other than to potentially look to set the tone for their first-round playoff matchup. Do not be surprised if there are a lot of late scratches.

The Capitals come into tonight shorthanded. It is expected that Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and T.J. Oshie.

I wouldn't be looking to invest too much into their forward group with their injuries, but if you are going to, Anthony Mantha, Lars Eller, and Nicklas Backstrom would be my targets. On the backend, John Carlson is always worth a look, but the Capitals have been getting a lot of production for Dmitry Orlov as of late, he has four points, five shots and three blocks in this last three games.

In goal, it should be Vitek Vanecek who gets the call. He’s six of his last seven haven't been great so I would likely look to someone else tonight for my goalie.

On the opposite side, the Bruins main goal coming out of this game should be to avoid injury to key players. This means much of Boston's top six could have the night off or a light night.

Knowing that we are expecting most of the main players to be out for the Bruins, one player I would key in on Nick Ritchie and Jake DeBrusk. They both have offensive upside and should see lots of minutes tonight. On the defence, it looks like Steven Compher, will see the top power-play, but I would also look at Jakub Zaboril, who is the remaining member of the regular Bruins defence corp.

In goal, Jeremy Swaymen will get the call. He is a good choice in cash games with so many of the Capitals top players out and could be used in GPP as well. 

 

Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets

With a win or Montreal loss, Winnipeg can lock up the third spot in the North Division.

The Jets have really been struggling for a few weeks now. They have lost two straight, and have won just one game in their last ten.

The Jets need their top line of Mark Scheifele - Blake Wheeler - Kyle Connor to be a force in this game. Scheifele and Wheeler have combined for seven points in the last three games, and would be the primary stack that I would be looking at tonight. If you want to dive down into the lower-owned space, I don't mind a combination of Mason Appleton, Paul Stastny, and Adam Lowry .

On the blue line, we have seen no notable value out of the Jets, but Neal Pionk is getting time on the powerplay and is worth consideration.

In goal, Connor Hellebuyuk will get the call tonight. He is capable of winning the game on his own, and in spite of the Jets poor record recently, he should be considered in GPP and cash games.

On the other side, the Canucks continue to play for pride tonight.

Looking at the forward groups, Nils Hoglander is a solid play. He will be on the top line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser . Hoglander has three goals, two assists and 16 shots in his last four games. Miler and Boeser are both worth a look as a stack with Hoglander as well. Looking at value, Tyler Graovac comes into tonight scoring goals in two of his last three games and he should be available near minimum price.

On the Blueline, Quinn Hughes will get the headlines, but Jack Rathbone is coming off a nice night for Vancouver. He has two points in his first four games, and he is coming off a three-shot four-block game that on its own will earn his near minimum value back for you.

Braden Holtby is going to get the start for the Canucks tonight. It is hard for me to endorse a Holtby start. He has lost three straight games, but with the Jets struggles he could get the win here and if he can keep the goals against below three then he could still hit value.