Allan Fabrykant 
After another wild week of hockey, we are back this Friday with another light four-game slate. Tonight’s 12/22 NHL slate begins at 7:00 pm ET. Don’t forget to lock your lines and check the discord for any updates! Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
12/22 NHL Stack Report
1. New York Rangers 1 (Kreider-Zibanejad-Wheeler)
— On tonight’s small slate, we’re going to go back to the well with the New York Rangers. For those who don’t remember, the New York Rangers are currently on a three-game winning streak and have amassed a 22-7-1 record, good enough for the best record in the Metro Division and the third-best record in the NHL. Along with being the biggest favorites on the slate, the New York Rangers also have the highest implied goal total on the slate at 3.6. With the Rangers playing the way they are, it’ll be hard for most teams to beat them, including a resurging Edmonton Oilers. The Rangers have simply found a way to put all their major pieces together this season. They have elite-level scoring, dependable defensemen, grit and a strong, competitive goalie tandem. The Oilers are definitely not a team one can walk over, and I can see them getting some goals in this matchup, but statistically, I see the Rangers as a clear top option for tonight’s slate.
Ideal Defensive Partner(s): Adam Fox
2. Detroit Red Wings 2 (DeBrincat-Copp-Kane)
— The Red Wings’ second line has been very hot as of late. Each player on this line has recorded at least two points over their last two games, and even though, as a team, the Red Wings haven’t been able to win games, as a line, DeBrincat, Kane and Copp have managed to gel well together. There will be a lot of goals in this matchup on both sides (Over/Under is set at 6.5 goals), and with the hefty cost of the top line on this slate, I really like the value this second line offers based on their recent scoring. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Flyers, have been a little inconsistent at times and are in the second half of a back-to-back, so the Red Wings’ second line definitely has the ability and the opportunity to make an impact in this matchup. Not only do DeBrincat and Kane both see Power Play time on the Red Wings’ top unit, but we are also talking about a Red Wings team that is fifth in goals per game in the league this season. So, despite their defensive issues as a team, the Red Wings second line is a solid offensive option that provides some salary relief in this smaller four-game slate.
Ideal Defensive Partner(s): Shayne Gostisbehere (Honorable Mention(s): Moritz Seider)
Honorable Mention(s): Philadelphia Flyers 2 (Tippett-Frost-Brink), Boston Bruins 1 (Marchand-Zacha-Pastrnak)
12/22 NHL Goalie Tracker
Best (Goalies to Roster)
- Jonathan Quick
- Linus Ullmark
Honorable Mention(s): Connor Hellebuyck
Worst (Goalies to Target)
1. Jake Allen
Honorable Mention(s): James Reimer
12/22 NHL Wild Card Targets
Gabriel Vilardi
– With the long-term injury to Kyle Connor, Gabriel Vilardi has really grown into his top-line role as a point-scoring winger alongside Mark Scheifele. Not only has recorded 10 points (5 Goals and 5 Assists) over his last four games, but he has recorded at least three shots on goal per game over his last six and has gotten anywhere from 17 to 22 minutes of ice time per game with ice time on the Jets’ top power-play unit. Vilardi definitely is the hot hand in the Jets lineup, and although they are in a tough matchup with the Bruins, the Bruins have lost three of their last four, while the Jets have won three of their last four. Vilardi, for me, is a solid option for tonight’s four-game slate as both a solo player option or in a stack alongside Mark Schiefele.
Honorable Mention(s): Morgan Geekie-James Van Riemsdyk, Nick Foligno
Core Four: (ALWAYS BE STACKIN’)
Center – Mika Zibanejad
Winger – Chris Kreider
Defenseman – Neal Pionk
Goalie – Jonathan Quick
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