Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Thursday Night Fantasy Hockey Championship

05/02/2013 at 1:06pm EDT

By Justin Lalonde of Fantasy Feud,

Yesterday’s picks were on fire, with the exception of the Islanders. Tonight we have 4 great matchups. Will Quick bounce back from his overtime debacle against the Blues? Can the Red Wings get the split in Anaheim? Will the Rangers be able to cool down Ovechkin? And who wins the battle of Canadian teams?

Before reading the rest of the value plays do yourself a favor and register for Saturday’s free contest against Paul Kukla. We’re giving away $150 in FREE prizes.

Here’s how it works:

Here’s how it works:

  1. Enter Saturday’s FREE contest here. On top of the $50 in free prizes, anyone who beats Paul Kukla will be entered in the May 11th Kukla’s Korner Fantasy Hockey Championship.
  2. Draft your team. You have to pick 10 players while staying under the 1 million dollar fantasy salary cap. Spend wisely.
  3. Follow the live scoreboard and if you beat Paul you will win your share of the prize money and get a free entry in the Kukla’s Korner Fantasy Hockey Championship.

You’re going to be watching the games tonight, so get a little practice in before facing Paul Kukla on Saturday.

If you already have an account with Fantasy Feud click this link to participate in the challenge.

Thursday’s Value Plays

LW – Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – $169,846

OV is the most expensive player on the board tonight but I think he’s a must start tonight. In his last 7 games he has 12 points to go along with 36 shots on goal. The Capitals will only go as far as their leader and I expect him to set the tone tonight.

C – Nicklas Backstrom – Washington Capitals - $95,249

Backstrom finished the season without a point in his last 2 games. I don’t expect that trend to continue at home tonight against the Rangers. He’s been firing shots at the net at a higher frequency as of late and the fact he’s a lock to play with Ovechkin makes him an attractive play.

D – Mike Green – Washington Capitals –

Green appears to be the player of old once again. He has 11 points in his last 8 games, you can’t ask for much more from a defenseman.

C - Marcus Johansson – Washington Capitals – $61,958

Johansson is still playing on the top line for the Capitals and as long as he’s there he deserves your consideration. He has 3 points in his last 4 games. Great value at his price point.

C – Derek Stepan – New York Rangers – $123,608

Stepan has been the most consistent player for the Rangers this season. He has 10 points in his last 7 games and will have to produce at that pace if the Rangers have any chance at beating the Capitals.

RW – Ryan Callahan – New York Rangers – $119,909

The Rangers captain is on fire. He’s on a 7 game point streak where he’s put up 10 points, a +6 rating to go along with 24 shots on goal. He’s been the most dominant player for the Rangers in their run to the playoffs. I consider him a must start tonight.

C – Brad Richards – New York Rangers –

Richards was having a terrible season until the month of April. I’m not sure what happened to him but he’s found his touch around the net. He’s found the score sheet in 6 consecutive games. During that stretch he has 11 points, a +8 rating, and 14 shots on goal.

C – Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings need their big guns to produce if they have any shot at beating the Ducks. Datsyuk was on a 3 game point streak prior to Tuesday night’s game during which he had 8 points. Expect him to bounce back tonight.

LW – Justin Abdelkader – Detroit Red Wings - $62,883

This recommendation is purely based on the fact that Justin is playing with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. At his price point he’s worth the risk to get an assist on Detroit’s top line.

C – Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks - $124,225

If you’re going to spend big money on any Ducks player Getzlaf is the one to target. He’s on a 4 game point streak and has 10 points in his last 9 games. My only worry is the lack of scoring I expect to see in this series.

RW – Teemu Selanne – Anaheim Ducks - $55,485

If you missed game 1 the biggest surprise in my eyes was how well Selanne was playing. I haven’t seen him with that kind of speed all season. Not only did he score the winning goal but he also appeared to be one of the Ducks top players.

RW – Daniel Alfredsson – Ottawa Senators - $75,521

You can’t put a price tag on experience. These two teams are definitely lacking in that category going in to tonight’s game 1 and I like Alfie to take advantage. He has 3 points in his last 4 games and provides great value at his price point.

C – Lars Eller – Montreal Canadiens – $92,167

If you’re looking for a player on Montreal tonight go with the hot hand of Lar Eller. He has 6 points in his last 3 games and looks comfortable with his current linemates.

RW – Michael Ryder – Montreal Canadiens – $76,138

If you look at his recent stats you wouldn’t consider starting Ryder tonight, and I think that could be a mistake. Ryder knows what playoff hockey is all about and I like his experience heading into this game.

St Louis Blues – Nobody

St Louis is my team to stay away from on Thursday night. Based on the way the Kings lost the game I’m expecting Quick to shut down the Blues, if not shut them out completely.

C – Anze Kpoitar – Los Angeles Kings - $88,468

The Blues won game 1 and put an end to the Kings domination of them in the last 2 years. I don’t expect that trend to continue tonight. Kopitar and the Kings are going to perform; you heard it here first.

RW – Justin Williams – Los Angeles Kings – $81,686

Williams was the only player on the Kings to find the back of the net on Tuesday night. He has 3 points in his last 2 games and I expect that trend to continue tonight.

Check back every day this week for my nightly picks.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

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