Ekman-Larsson was banged up during training camp, but he is ready to go for first game of the season. Ekman-Larsson is coming off of a rough season by his standards, but remains one of the top-15 fantasy defensemen around.
Chychrun underwent knee surgery in August and his season appeared to be in jeopardy. However, Chychrun is an athletic freak and is already close to getting back on the ice and it looks like he will return at some point this season. The second-year defenseman remains without a timetable for his return, but it’s great news that he is already ahead of schedule.
Jones has had steady results in his first two years in San Jose, starting 65 games and winning at least 35 of them in both seasons. Last year, Jones’ GAA and SV% took a bit of a hit but were more than serviceable fantasy numbers. The 27-year-old was also very good on home-ice (19-10-4 / 2.16 / .916) so don’t hesitate to roll him out there in a home matchup vs. a Flyers team that was 14-22-5 on the road last year.
Crawford has been sensational since taking over as the Blackhawks’ starter in 2010-11. Besides the lockout shortened campaign, Crawford has started at least 55 games and won at least 30 of them in six consecutive seasons. The Blackhawks outlook is as bleak as it has looked during that time, but he remains one of the safest and most reliable options between the pipes. In his first start of the season he will see the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, who are coming off of an overtime loss last night.
Winnik is expected to make his Wild debut on Thursday after earning a contract on a PTO during training camp. Winnik is coming off of a year in which he had 12 goals and 13 assists (25 points) in 72 games with the Capitals. Look for him to skate with Matt Cullen and Tyler Ennis on the Wild fourth line in his debut.
Kulak, who had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 22 AHL games and three assists in 21 NHL games a season ago was expected to be in the opening night lineup, but Matt Barkowski will get the first crack alongside Michael Stone tonight.
Lazar, who picked up three points in four games after being acquired by the Flames last season was beat out by Tanner Glass and Garnet Hathaway for the last few spots in the Flames’ opening night roster. With Jaromir Jagr also coming to town soon, Lazar might have a difficult time working his way into the lineup.
Elliott was very successful in a timeshare in five years with the Blues and stumbled in his opportunity to be a true No.1 last year in Calgary. Now in Philadelphia he is expected to split time with Michal Neuvirth and will play behind a team that allowed the seventh fewest shots in the league last season. Expect improved numbers from last year, but the timeshare limits his overall upside in 2017-18.
Talbot was solid in his first season in Edmonton, but he was excellent in year-two. The 30-year-old netminder led the NHL in both games started (73) and wins (42) and will likely have a good chance to defend those crowns in 2017-18. Talbot is a workhorse on a team that many believe is a Stanley Cup contender this season. A year ago he was 3-0-0 vs. the Flames, but this is an improved Calgary team he will see tonight.
Miller missed Wednesday’s practice due to an upper-body injury and the Ducks’ backup will start the season on IR. With Miller out, Reto Berra will take over as the No.2 behind John Gibson. There’s no word on how long Miller will be sidelined.
After taking over as the Blues’ No.1 last season, Allen stumbled through the first four months of the season. However, the 27-year-old finished strong down the stretch, ranking third in the NHL in wins (16), GAA (1.93) and SV% (.935) from February on. Allen was also strong in the playoffs and will look to pickup where he left-off tonight in Pittsburgh.
The Ducks season has not got off to the best start as Eaves joins Ryan Miller, Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen on IR. Head coach Randy Carlyle said Eaves was probable for the season opener, but his movement to IR suggests otherwise. Look for him to miss at least the first week of the season.
The Bruins announced that Backes was “under the weather” and missed Wednesday’s practice session as a result. This obviously puts his status for Thursday’s game in question, but monitor his availability during the morning skate.
Kronwall was in and out of practice during training with a groin injury, but was back on the ice on Wednesday and said he thinks he will play on Thursday. Kronwall was paired with Mike Green in Wednesday’s session, but he is too injury prone at this point in his career to have any fantasy value.
After taking over as the Blues’ No.1 last season, Allen stumbled through the first four months of the season. However, the 27-year-old finished strong down the stretch, ranking third in the NHL in wins (16), GAA (1.93) and SV% (.935) from February on. Allen was also strong in the playoffs and will look to pickup where he left-off tonight in Pittsburgh.
Anderson had a tough year off of the ice due to his wife’s health concerns, but played exceptionally well when he was with the Senators in 2016-17. However, year-to-year consistency has routinely been something that has escaped Anderson as he enters his seventh full-season with the Senators. His first test of the season will come against a Capitals team that ranked third in the NHL in scoring last year and figure to be close to as powerful this season.
Brown, 19, was the No.11 overall pick in 2016 and is coming off of a year in which he had 40 points (14G / 26A) in 35 games with Windsor (OHL). Brown cracked the opening night roster thanks to a preseason injury to fellow centre Colin White, but he won’t carry a lot of fantasy value as he’s expected to start on the fourth line, but should see some PP time.
After missing the majority of the preseason while rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder, Brassard is ready to go for Thursday. Brassard had a disappointing debut season in Ottawa, picking up just 39 points (14G / 25A) in 81 games. He was a lot strong in the playoffs, so look for him to get back to his 20-goal, 30-40 assist pace from his Ranger days.
Chiasson, 27, spent last year in Calgary after two years in Ottawa and had 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in 81 games. Chiasson will make his Capitals debut on the third line while Tom Wilson is suspended.
Redmond split the 2016-17 season between the AHL and NHL. He had five assists in 16 games with the Canadiens and 18 points (4G / 14A) in 26 contests with the St. John’s IceCaps (AHL). He is nothing more than an AHL D-man or seventh/depth defenseman for the Sabres.
