This Friday’s lighter slate showcases only four games, including two road favourites, an intriguing contest between Atlantic Division rivals, and one extra captivating inter-conference match-up between New York and Winnipeg. Coming off a convincing 7-3 victory in Minnesota, the Rangers – with backup Jaroslav Halak projected to spell off Igor Shesterkin – are visiting the Jets, who are set to play their first game of 2022-23. Under new head coach Rick Bowness, Winnipeg is under immense pressure to make up for last year’s failure of a campaign. Starting tonight. That tilt could be a doozy.
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All times Eastern.
Favorable scoring match-ups
7pm, Nationwide Arena
This rested Lightning squad will have a bee in its collective bonnet after being taken to task by a very good Rangers team in Tuesday’s opener. Determined to not fall 0-2 to start the season, Jon Cooper’s club should have an easier go of it against the Blue Jackets in Columbus – a team that probably feels a bit deflated after losing Patrik Laine (elbow sprain) for up to four weeks.
10:30pm, SAP Center, Watch live on ESPN+
It’s already shaping up to be a long season for the San Jose Sharks. After losing a pair to Nashville overseas – almost a week ago – the home side will be in tough staving off one of the NHL’s more potent offenses. Look for Brent Burns, in particular, to light it up in his first trip back to where he played for 11 years.
7pm, Little Caesars Arena, Watch live on ESPN+
As Montreal’s defense is currently constructed, there will likely only be a few occasions in the foreseeable future when the opposition isn’t favored to score a few. This isn’t one of them. Play your favourite Red Wings skaters, from blueliner Moritz Seider on out.
Mid-tier fantasy forwards
Alexis Lafreniere, LW/RW, New York Rangers (33.0%): The No. 1 draft selection from only two years ago is off to a promising start, skating on a scoring line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. After a respectable enough debut against the Lightning, Lafreniere contributed two primary assists on goals scored by defenseman Adam Fox and Panarin in Thursday’s shellacking of the Wild. If this slightly tired Rangers squad is able to pot a couple/few past Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck – and I believe they are – there’s a reasonable chance the 21-year-old winger will be in on such scoring action.
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