Buffalo Sabres - Fantasy News

NHL Fantasy Picks for 2017 Winter Classic

by Jeff Gordon

12/31/17

NHL

Buffalo Sabres

Evander Kane

The New York Rangers were stunningly bad in October. They earned just four points in their eight games (1-5-2) and their October 28 loss at Montreal lowered their record to 3-7-2.

They then took off on a 16-6-2 run to move right back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. They are a confident bunch heading into the Winter Classic showcase against the hapless Buffalo Sabres on New Year's Day at Citi Field.

The Sabres have been less awful lately, going 2-1-1 in their last four games and 4-3-4 in their last 11. But they still have just 10 victories in their first 38 contests this season.

Their years-long rebuild continues under first-year head coach Phil Housley, who is just now getting his offensive pieces to come together. Housley was an elite offensive defenseman during his playing days, but he hasn't coaxed much scoring from his blue line as a coach.

Start 'Em: Henrik Lundqvist
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 9.27

He struggled mightily to start the season, posting a 3.21 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage during his first 10 games. Then King Henrik went on a 15-5-2 tear that featured a 2.41 GAA and 0.929 save percentage. Coming into the Winter Classic he topped his Projected Fantasy Points figure in five of his last six games. And he has a 3-0-0 career record in outdoor games, having previously won one Winter Classic game and two Stadium Series games in the elements.

Sit 'Em: Mika Zibanejad
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 7.69

He hasn't been the same player since returning from a concussion. He failed to score a point during his first five games back from injured reserve. Back in October, Zibanejad scored five goals in his first four games. He pushed his Projected Fantasy Points from 3.5 to as high as 8.5 while flourishing as the No. 1 Rangers center. But he has scored just seven goals in his last 25 games.

Start 'Em: Jack Eichel
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 8.91

He slumped to just seven points in 13 November games to become a disastrous fantasy play. This month, though, Eichel re-established his value by scoring 16 points in 13 games. He piled up 11 points during a recent six-game span and he topped his Projected Fantasy Points four times during that stretch. He finally looks like one of the NHL's top young players again.

Sit 'Em: Evander Kane
Dober Fantasy Points Per Game: 9.74

He has been steadily productive in the "walk year" of his contract, scoring 12, 11 and 11 points, respectively, during the first three months. But Housley has separated Kane from Eichel at even strength, preferring to deploy Sam Reinhart and Zemgus Girgensons on the top line. Kane has scored just one goal in his last seven games, earning a minus-9 rating for that period. He failed to top his Projected Fantasy Points four times in his last five contests. Is all the trade speculation starting to distract him?