This week, most teams will pass the 20% mark of games played for the 2022–23 season. It's no longer a small sample, and there are already several teams above or below the expectations that we all saw back in early October. Raise your hands if you saw Boston, New Jersey, Winnipeg, and Vegas leading their conferences.  Yeah, I thought so.  Next projection, who saw Bruce Boudreau as the most likely coach to be fired first? Truly, I hope not, because coaches are far too often blamed for the under performance of the athletes. Thatcher Demko, 1-8-2, with a GAA above 4. But the Vancouver stats that massively stand out are that the Canucks are not only last (32nd) in penalty-kill percentage at 61.8%, but they're also SECOND overall in penalty minutes!  They visit Buffalo tonight, but their next four games are the Kings, Avalanche, and Vegas twice. Whether management could have or should have gone after more blue-liners is now moot – their turkey won't taste very good this year.  

On to fantasy projections for tonight.

First, I'm going to stay away from the Sabres/Canucks matchup, because I can see Boudreau's players making a stand for their coach. Instead, my first stack will be the above-expectations Flyers to roll through last-place Columbus. The Jackets are now without Zach Werenski for the season, and Patrik Laine, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Kuraly are all on injured reserve. I'll play Kevin Hayes ($5200), Owen Tippett ($4300), Tony DeAngelo ($6500), and the rejuvenated Carter Hart ($7800). Of note, Tippett has taken at least 3 SOG in each of his past six games, and Hart looks to rebound after two so-so losses, including one to Columbus. His save percentage is still 2nd in the league at 0.937.  

My personal lineup for tonight: the Flyers above, plus an unmatched set of Nico Hischier ($6600), Filip Forsberg ($7100), Chandler Stephenson ($5100), and Aaron Ekblad ($5000).   My utility value selection is Tanner Jeannot ($2600), making a mini stack for Nashville (7^th in the Central).

Best wishes to all, it's a great 9-game package to watch tonight.