The Canucks fell back to reality last night after a very good performance for Rick Tocchet's initial game. Two statistics stand out: first, this was the Kraken's only win against their northern neighbor in their existence (now 1-5-1), and second, when I gave up at the mid-point of the 2nd period, the combination of Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, JT Miller, and Quinn Hughes had taken ONE shot on goal.   Yikes.

Two really important tests in the Eastern Conference on the 9-game slate this evening, and while I'll be flipping channels between the Boston/Tampa game and then Pittsburgh/Washington, I'll not likely bet on either – – the West is just too tempting. The Colorado Avalanche, winners of six in a row, host Anaheim. This is fertile ground for DFS. I'm anticipating Pavel Françouz getting the start, and the Ducks just scoring once. But Anaheim is a respectable 4-6-1 in 2023, so nothing is guaranteed here. See my other selections at the end. 

This last pre-All-Star Thursday goes to "What's Wrong With…," and today's focus is the Calgary Flames. Over the summer, the Flames had the most turmoil (turnaround?) in their lineup – Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau out, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri in, plus a quality defenseman in MacKenzie Weegar, a prospect (Cole Schwindt), and a future first-round pick, all but Kadri coming from the Tkachuk trade. We collectively thought that GM Brad Treliving "won" the summer sweepstakes, and I'd picked Calgary to win the West. Yet here they are, scratching and clawing to make a wild card.  

Individually, it's been bad.  Huberdeau has been a major disappointment with 32 points in 48 games (55-point pace), compared to his otherworldly 115-point season in '21-'22. Kadri had 87 points in his career year for the Avalanche, he's now on a 63-point pace. Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli lead the Flames in scoring, neither one in the NHL's top-60. The team looks better on paper than 18th in the league in goals per game, and 23rd in power play conversion. 

Defensively, MY breakout candidate back from September was Dan Vladar, and that was spot on. Vladar is 9-0-3 in his past 12 starts. Jacob Markstrom, still the undeniable GK-1, is 13-12-5, with a save% below 0.9. Weegar has also underachieved thus far, as his 22-point pace (for 82 games) is half of last season's production. 

Can this team turn it around? Sure. But their best shot is that their Pacific Division rivals are less scary than the other elite NHL teams. $4-million cap space at the deadline can be spent well, also. I’m thinking Joel Edmundson or David Savard…. 

DFS for tonight:

Goalie: Pavel Francouz ($8500, site max for GK)

Centers: JT Compher ($4500), and Elias Lindholm ($5600), from the other on-paper mismatch, as Calgary hosts the Blackhawks. 

Wings: Kirill Kaprizov ($7600), Artturi Lehkonen ($5900), Andrew Mangiapane ($4000).   Minnesota returns home looking at eight teams ahead of them, and Kaprizov is the bet to beat up the Flyers. Lehkonen remains on Nathan MacKinnon's wing, and first power play unit.   Mangiapane had 3 points Monday against Columbus, but also 10 in his past 10 contests. 

Defensemen: Calen Addison ($3000), Nick Jensen ($3400). Addison has come back to earth after an outstanding start to the new year, and as the Wild recover, they'll need their young PP quarterback. Jensen, just because I needed at least ONE Eastern representative, and John Carlson's absence has spread out the Caps' defensive responsibilities.

Utility: Jordan Kyrou ($7400), vs. Arizona. He's had goals in his last three matches and is playing at a point-per-game clip for the season. 

I'll be back to DFS after the All-Star break.  Most teams have their scheduled days off before the South Florida festivities.