Every day, NHL.com’s team of hockey pool experts provides an overview of the different rosters that will be playing each other and identifies some players who could stand out and find success.
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FORWARDERS
Yegor SharangovichNJD (vs WPG) – Sharangovich has four points (one goal, three assists) in his last three games, averaging two shots per game during that streak and a total of 14 shots in his last five meetings. In the New Jersey Devils’ 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, the 24-year-old Belarusian was paired 5-on-5 with forwards Jack Hughes et Jesper Bratt, the Devils’ top two scorers, and had two assists, including one on the even-strength goal scored by that line. As long as coach Lindy Ruff keeps him on this unit, Sharangovich will be worth his weight in gold for poolers.
Video: NJD@CBJ: Sharangovich gives Devils lead
Artturi LehkonenCOL (vs EDM) – Lehkonen has a point in each of his last three games for a total of one goal and two assists. During that streak, Lehkonen threw 10 shots, gave four hits and blocked three shots. The poolers probably left him behind when he was limited to one goal and one assist in eight games between January 20 and February 11, but the tide seems to have turned for the Finn, who plays to the left of Nathan MacKinnon and of Valery Nichushkin on the first line, in addition to being employed on the first wave of the power play. The talent is not lacking in the Colorado Avalanche as in the Edmonton Oilers, so we should be entitled to an offensive game on Sunday. The Avalanche have scored 15 goals in their last four games and the Oilers have allowed four or more goals in each of their last three games.
Video: TBL@COL: Lehkonen makes a shot after 50 seconds
DEFENDER
Adam BoqvistCBJ (vs ARI) – Boqvist is the Columbus Blue Jackets’ leading scorer in their last three games with four points (two goals, two assists). The 22-year-old Swede doesn’t get much playing time (16:58 on average, eighth among Columbus defensemen) but is used on the first wave of the power play with the defender out Zach Werenski until the end of the season. In fact, two of his most recent four points came in that facet of the game. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him stand out again with the man advantage on Sunday, as Columbus faces the Coyotes of Arizona, who are tied for 22nd in the NHL in shorthanded performance (76.3 percent).
GUARDIAN
Ilya SamsonovTOR (vs CHI) – Samsonov sat out the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday because he was sick, but he accompanied his teammates to Chicago and everything indicates that he will be in goal on Sunday. Samsonov has won his last two starts, including making 27 saves in a 5-2 win over those same Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Even though the Maple Leafs are playing their second game in two days, they are heavily favored to defeat Chicago.