Here are the top teammate plays to target for offensive production Friday:
C Derick Brassard and W Mats Zuccarello, Rangers (at Avalanche)
Rick Nash is the logical choice to pair with Brassard - if he's available. Nash injured his back in Thursday's practice and is day-to-day; considering his history of back injuries, the Rangers will play it safe.
The entire line would suffer without Nash's presence, with W Chris Kreider being the most likely candidate to jump up.
Brassard and Zuccarello have combined for six goals and 11 points in their past four games. Nash had already been playing the complimentary role.
The Avalanche are the league's worst shot-attempt differential team. They average 47.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, while allowing 64.8 attempts. The Rangers' two hottest offensive players are in an excellent position Friday.
C Ryan Johansen and W Scott Hartnell, Blue Jackets (at Ducks)
The Blue Jackets have won four of their past six games, scoring 18 goals in the process. Whether it's been the impact of new head coach John Tortorella or just natural progression, the Jackets have only allowed 13 goals in that span. Columbus's Corsi and PDO numbers have been rebounding toward normal levels.
Johansen and Hartnell each had a two-point game Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The Los Angeles Kings got the better of them, but they have an excellent opportunity to win the road series against California.
C Cody Eakin and C/W Patrick Sharp, Stars (at Hurricanes)
The prices for C Tyler Seguin and W Jamie Benn make it extremely difficult to work both players into a roster while staying under the salary cap. Owners would need to rely on far too many value plays.
Eakin and Sharp offer a piece of the high-flying Stars' offense at a fraction of their teammates' cost, The two are paired together at even strength, before being split up on separate power-play units.
Sharp has six points in his last five games. Eakin has just one goal in that span, but he does have eight shots on goal. As a cost-effective duo, Eakin and Sharp hold great upside against a Hurricanes team in the bottom half of the league at preventing goals.
