Here are your start / sit fantasy recommendations for the January 23rd NHL games.
Please note that you should always start your star players. This list is here to help you if you have two similar players and are debating on which one to start.
While a player may be a “sit” recommendation, he should still be put in your lineup over a player without a game tonight. Accumulating stats takes priority over no stats at all.
Different factors go into picking start / sit candidates including strength of opponent, scoring categories, history vs opponent and sometimes, gut feelings. Take that into consideration before making your final decision.
Players are listed in no particular order.
NOTE: These recommendations are posted before the first game of the day. Some changes may be made if any major changes occur to NHL lineups such as injuries, scratches, or especially, starting goalies, once new information is received. Check back often for any changes, especially for late games.
Forwards
File Photo: Mike Ridewood/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| Derick Brassard – CBJ | David Krejci – BOS | |
| (Highest TOI for CBJ forwards. 6 G, 13 pts in 16 gms vs PHX) | (Just 1 G, 7 pts in 20 career gms vs NYR) | |
| Mikael Backlund – CGY | Brandon Dubinsky – CBJ | |
| (3 of 15 career goals vs Canucks. 5 pts in 10 games vs VAN) | (Still scoreless, -2, 1 SOG in 2 games this season) | |
| Lauri Korpikoski – PHX | Steve Sullivan – PHX | |
| (7 SOG in 2 gms. 3 G, 7 pts in 10 games vs CBJ) | (Only 11:58 ATOI in 2 games. Still scoreless) | |
| Tyler Bozak – TOR | Brad Marchand – BOS | |
| (3 G, 6 pts in 9 games vs PIT) | (1 pt in 10 gms vs NYR. Held scoreless in prev meeting) | |
| Mikkel Boedker – PHX | Chris Kreider – NYR | |
| (Getting plenty of ice time. 2 G, 5 pts in 11 gms vs CBJ) | (10:23 ATOI, -2, 1 SOG in 2 games) |
Defensemen
File Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| Matt Niskanen – PIT | Jay Bouwmeester – CGY | |
| (Off to good start. 1 G, 7 pts, +8, 17 hits in 10 gms vs TOR) | (-4 in 2 games. 6 points in 24 gms vs VAN) | |
| Mike Kostka – TOR | Zbynek Michalek – PHX | |
| (On top D pairing. 2 assists in 2 gms, both on the PP) | (Just 4 pts in 25 career games vs CBJ) | |
| Dougie Hamilton – BOS | Deryk Engelland – PIT | |
| (Getting ice time and has 5 SOG in 2 games) | (Not getting much ice time. 0 pts, -3 in 6 gms vs TOR) | |
| Alexander Edler – VAN | Marc Staal – NYR | |
| (Off to a good start. 22 pts in 31 games vs CGY) | (-3 in previous gm vs BOS. 0 SOG this season) | |
| Jake Gardiner - TOR | Dennis Seidenberg – BOS | |
| (Will get his first start of the season tonight) | (Game time decision. 7 pts in 24 gms vs NYR) |
Goalies
File Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
| Start | Sit | |
| James Reimer – TOR | Miikka Kiprusoff – CGY | |
| (2-0-1, 2.26 GAA, 1 SO in 3 games vs PIT) | 22-22-6, 3.23 GAA in 51 games vs VAN) | |
| Tuukka Rask – BOS | Mike Smith – PHX | |
| (3-3-1, 1.71 GAA in 7 gms vs NYR. 1-0-0 this season) | (Sluggish start. 3-3-1, 2.53 GAA in 8 gms vs CBJ) | |
| Cory Schneider – VAN | Steve Mason – CBJ | |
| (Should bounce back. 2.65 GAA in 3 gms vs CGY) | (3-4-0, 2.89 GAA in 7 games vs PHX) | |
Remember, use this list as a guideline if you are debating between a few players to round out your lineup. Just because a star player appears on the “sit” list doesn’t necessarily mean you should sit that player if your other options aren’t decidedly better.
If you have any questions about your fantasy lineup, don’t hesitate to ask.
Good Luck!
Carlos Figueiredo
NHL Rankings & Content Editor
Dynasty Sports Empire
@SpeakoftheDevs
