Here are the top linemate stacks to target for Thursday's slate:
C Martin Hanzal and W Mikkel Boedker, Coyotes (at Flames)
Hanzal is set to return from a lower-body injury suffered Dec. 19. He hadn't registered a point in two games prior to his injury, but has five goals and 20 points on the season. Boedker has seven points in seven games in Hanzal's absence while registering at least six shots on goal in two of those games.
While the Coyotes haven't been much better, only the Colorado Avalanche have a worse Corsi For Percentage than Calgary over the past calendar month. The Coyotes had a CF% of 47.2% with Hanzal in the lineup from the beginning of the season up to Dec. 19, but it's fallen to 45.0% without him.
Hanzal makes a big difference for the Coyotes, and for Boedker's production; this duo will come with tremendously low ownership.
C John Tavares and W Anders Lee, Islanders (vs. Capitals)
Sneakily, the Capitals have the fifth-worst five-on-five shot attempt differential over the past calendar month. They've maintained a spot at the top of the standings thanks to the seventh-best on-ice shooting percentage and the second-best save percentage at five-on-five over that stretch. They're getting manhandled at even strength, but they've still been winning.
The Islanders have the offensive talent to solve Braden Holtby. Lee and Tavares each have two goals and two assists in their past four games. They've combined for 31 shots on goal over their past three games, providing owners with a rather safe floor.
C Sean Monahan and W Johnny Gaudreau, Flames (vs. Coyotes)
Monahan has been held point-less in five consecutive games, and he's failed to register a shot on goal in two of those games. He did take four SOG in his most recent game, and he'll have his best matchup of the stretch Thursday.
He also offers the cap relief necessary to work Gaudreau into a lineup. Gaudreau has gone without a point in each of his past four games, but he's still at a point-per-game pace for the season. He has twice recorded four SOG during that mini-stretch. The Coyotes allow a similar amount of shot attempts as the Flames, and this game should feature plenty of scoring chances.
