So, I'll think through the daily fantasy reasoning first today. There are many ways to look at tonight's 13-game slate. We can look at home teams playing against weaker defense and goaltending (Flyers v. Hawks, Blue Jackets v. Ducks, Golden Knights v. Red Wings) or maybe good teams hosting back-to-back squads playing on the road (Rangers, Oilers, Sabres). I always start with "which teams," then pick players.

However, the B2B road teams aren't pushovers – Tampa played Brian Elliott last night, saving Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Edmonton matchup. Same idea with the Islanders, as Ilya Sorokin will face Buffalo. And it's been just silly to pick against the Bruins.  

My choices here will include Vegas and Columbus from my list above, but also the Washington Capitals playing in Arizona.   My personal play tonight is at the end. 

Next though, is my Thursday feature of "What's Wrong With…," today spotlighting the Pittsburgh Penguins.   To be honest, I wrote a lot of this part of my article last Thursday, and the Pens have proven my points by going 1-2-1 since. Their passion to win has been too variable, in my humble observation. They signed long-term extensions for nearly everyone, down to the popcorn vendor (ok, not that), and many of us fantasy managers believe that the "contract year," when players typically get extra motivation for $$$$… well, the Penguins' biggest "contract-year" skaters are Jason Zucker (doing quite well, thanks) and Tristan Jarry. Evgeni Malkin is signed until he's 40. Kris Letang, 42. Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell each got six years, so they're set until they're 36. Sidney Crosby will roll over his $8.7 million salary for as long as he desires. The gamble was to win another Cup this year or next, not have injuries, then fade gracefully. 

It's not just that simple either. The Pens are OLD, and they play like that; can't hold leads, or not always ready to play – giving up goals in the first two or three minutes – and 3v3 overtime has been difficult. In short, this team plays a powerful 40-minute game.  Last night's OT loss against the Senators is a great example. Ahead 3-2 in the second period, they played "not to lose" from then on, instead of pushing offense and shooting at Cam Talbot, who had a 0.789 save percentage for this contest. Pittsburgh has been in the East's top eight for 17 consecutive years, but it seems tenuous. 

The Pens do have talent, but young and hungry they're not, and young and hungry will play a full 60 minutes, not just 40.   Another too-early playoff exit seems all too likely.

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My lineup, paying for star-power, then filling in (and astonished I could get Nick Backstrom so inexpensively):

Centers:  Backstrom ($3500), Jack Eichel ($7700).

Wings:  Alex Ovechkin ($9000), Patrik Laine ($6500), Pavel Zacha ($2900). Betting here on an Ovi hat trick at Mullett Arena.

Defensemen:  Erik Gustafsson ($5100), Nick Hague ($3600).

Goalie: Darcy Kuemper ($8300) vs his old team.

Utility:  Kirill Marchenko ($3400). Marchenko is scoreless in his last four games, but has eight shots in his past two contests, and plays on PP1.

Four Caps, two Knights, two Jackets, one Bruin. Good luck, everyone!