Patric Hornqvist Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Hornqvist will be hard-pressed to match his goal total (29) from a year ago, but his ice time is on the rise. Accordingly, Hornqvist has picked up an assist in back to back games as he is skating on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel who continue to drive play at even-strength. In a high-event matchup with Buffalo's top line, the opportunity for Hornqvist and company to find the scoresheet is phenomenal. The Swedish veteran checks in under $5,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel which makes him a core cash game play and strong tournament play as part of a line stack or power play stack.

Evgeni Malkin and line-mates Patric Hornqvist, and Bryan Rust, draw a great matchup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers on home ice. Pittsburgh comes into the night with the highest implied goal total on the slate at 3.69. Philadelphia is also allowing the third most GA/60 at 3.56. They might be chalky tonight, but this is a line I will not be fading. Adding defenseman Kris Letang to the stack gives you three pieces of the team’s elite top power-play unit.

-Please not that Hornqvist is a game time decision, but is expected to play. Information should be out before any games lock at 7:00 pm est to allow lineup edits.

Evgeni Malkin and line-mates Patric Hornqvist, and newly acquired Tanner Pearson, will host the Ottawa Senators tonight. With Sidney Crosby expected to miss tonight’s game, Malkin will likely see an increased role, as he picked up 24 minutes of ice time last game. Ottawa remains to be a top team to pick on with a CA/60 of 68.95, and allowing 3.38 goals per game. To add to the problems, they own the worst penalty kill percentage in the NHL, at 68.3%. We will need to keep an eye on Pittsburgh’s projected lineup as they were mixing up lines during practice yesterday, but I expect this trio to stay together. Kris Letang makes a great addition to the stack, and adds power-play correlation against this weak penalty kill.

With Sidney Crosby forced to miss tonight's contest due to injury, Evgeni Malkin will be relied on to produce even more offense than usual. Malkin is in a funk by his usual standards, and has just one point in his last five games. Malkin will likely be flanked by Patric Hornqvist and Dominik Simon at even strength, and will also help to quarterback a struggling Penguins Power Play. This game has an over/under of 6.5 goals, so Vegas is expecting plenty of action. If the Penguins are going to compete, they'll need Malkin to find the scoresheet early and often.

Patric Hornqvist, and the Penguins for that matter, has fallen off a cliff after his back to back multi-goal games on October 23rd and 25th. Since then, Hornqvist is pointless in six consecutive games, though he has fired 15 shots on goal during this stretch. All in all, the Pittsburgh offense is looking for an answer. On the surface, a matchup with the Coyotes is not so ideal, but Antti Raanta is injured. Darcy Kuemper is a below average goalie at best and does not have the skill set and poise Raanta brings to the crease. Additionally, the Coyotes will be without defender Alex Goligoski who is a key piece on their penalty kill. Although the Penguins' even strength and power play lines are in a blender, Hornqvist's price is moderate on both DraftKings ($4,700) and FanDuel ($5,600) which gives him tournament appeal.

Patric Hornqvist has spent a good chunk of this season playing on the wing of Evgeni Malkin and tonight is expected to be no different. Hornqvist also plays on the top power play unit with Malkin and other superstars like Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. Hornqvist has been on a bit of a goal-scoring tear as of late with eight goals in his last 10 games including goals in four straight. Look for him to continue this tonight against the terrible Ottawa Senators.

In a high variance sport like hockey, there are times when fading star players can pay off, especially in tournaments. One such superstar that should not be faded tonight however is Sidney Crosby. Skating alongside playmakers Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist on Pittsburgh's top line, Crosby has shaken off a poor start to the year with 13 points over his last 10 games. A matchup against a stingy Detroit team may seem risky, but they have been showing cracks defensively of late; entering tonight's allowing the second most goals per game during the month of March. Also featured on the league's top overall power play, expect Crosby and Hornqvist to stay hot on the man advantage against a Detroit penalty kill that has dipped to 23rd in the NHL this season.

Pittsburgh is on a back to back tonight and hosting the Montreal Canadiens who welcome back Carey Price to the starting lineup. Price was having a terrible year before his injury and I don't expect his first game back from a concussion to go any better. He currently has a 2.98 GAA and a .904 save percentage, which the Pens should be able to take advantage of. The second line is a great play with Patric Hornqvist play with Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin. Hornqvist has picked up five goals in his last 10 games including firing an incredible 49 shots on goal. Averaging 4.9 shots per game is a great floor for this guy and any offense he picks up is an added bonus. He plays on the top power play with Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang so there is elite upside for him tonight.

If you're looking for an under the radar line stack tonight, look to Pittsburgh's second line which features Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. Despite being held off the scoresheet in last night's game, Malkin and Hornqvist should have no problems bouncing back tonight against a depleted Montreal Canadiens team that will be without their top defensemen, top forward, and starting goalie. Also featured on the league's most lethal power play unit, Malkin and Hornqvist should also be very active on the man advantage tonight against a Montreal penalty kill that ranks 28th in the NHL this season and has surrendered ten power play goals over their last 7 games. In a game Pittsburgh should dominate from start to finish, expect a big game from Malkin and Hornqvist where their steep price tags could lower their ownership in tournaments.

After a slow start to the year, Sidney Crosby has been lights out in recent games; entering tonight with 16 points over his last 10 games. Skating on Pittsburgh's top line alongside playmakers Patric Hornqvist and Conor Sheary, Crosby draws a juicy matchup at home against a weak Rangers team that has allowed the most shot attempts and scoring chances per game on the road this season. In a game that should play with a fast pace with plenty of goals exchanged between both teams, look for Crosby and his linemates to be worth every penny of their steep price tags tonight.