While NFL football betting players will be making their fantasy picks for Sunday, NHL betting players can do it all week long, although this will focus mainly on the weekend. Here are three players to watch.

Patrick Sharp, Chicago

Sharp is off to a great start with 11 points, and he has a home game against Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Kings are an open team, so there will be chances for Sharp. Then the Blackhawks host a young Edmonton team on Friday before they head to Minnesota on Saturday, so have him in your lineup.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh

This is a no-brainer: never sit Sidney Crosby unless he’s hurt. The Penguins go to Tampa Bay on Wednesday before hosting Philadelphia in a rivalry game on Friday night, and Crosby loves playing against the Flyers. On Saturday, the Penguins will be in Carolina, and he’s a pretty strong player in back-to-back games.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim

Getzlaf, like Sharp and Crosby, has 11 points to start the season, and the Ducks are counting heavily on his production. Getzlaf should be well rested as the Ducks play in Dallas on Tuesday, then they’re off until Friday when they host New Jersey on Friday, and then they head to San Jose on Saturday
night. Getzlaf gets all the ice time he can handle with regular shifts as well as on the power play, and he’s a guy that will make an impact not only on your fantasy team, but on the Ducks’ odds if you bet sports.

1. Blackhawks

• Turco has been rock-solid and Chicago is starting to roll.

2. Bruins

• Power-play success leads to statement win over the Caps in home opener.

3. Red Wings

• Detroit is proving it can score with the best of them, and is eighth in the league in goals per game (3).

4. Penguins

• Pittsburgh flexed its experience in their latest gritty win against Nashville.

5. Islanders

• Another surprisingly effective team in tight games; New York has gone to four extra sessions already this season.

6. Capitals

• After four-game streak, Washington isn’t looking as aggressive, letting Boston put them on the wrong side of the NHL scores twice in a row.

7. Stars

• Talk about a high-scoring squad: the Stars are averaging nearly four goals per game.

8. Predators

• Head Coach Barry Trotz has his team playing with great chemistry and intensity.

9. Kings

• Despite their recent loss, LA is still undefeated at home, and looks great in goal.

10. Maple Leafs

• Could it be back to reality for the Leafs, who have dropped two straight?

11. Lightning

• With Washington lagging, Tampa Bay could take an early lead in the division.

12. Avalanche

• Vancouver is bound to get better, but for now, Colorado is enjoying division supremacy.

13. Hurricanes

• Their offence is a little stagnant, but the Hurricanes proved in Europe they are much-improved.

14. Canucks

• What’s up with the Canucks? Vancouver’s penalty kill is suspect, and they’ve struggled to score goals.

15. Canadiens

• Defence is the only thing keeping the Habs hovering around the middle of the NHL standings.

16. Wild

• The Wild have been fun to watch-can they translate entertainment over to the win column?

17. Sharks

• San Jose has been efficient on the man advantage, but otherwise is struggling on offence.

18. Blues

• The Blues have been taking tough opponents down to the wire; they just need to start finishing.

19. Thrashers

• All the good feelings evaporated in a hurry after a 4-1 beatdown at the hands of Buffalo.

20. Blue Jackets

• Columbus has done well so far for a team predicted to be one of the NHL’s worst.

21. Flyers

• After a decent start, Philly has been increasingly underwhelming.

22. Ducks

• Anaheim’s lack of offence or defence is making it hard to believe they’re a good team, even when they win.

23. Coyotes

• Inconsistency could be the biggest challenge for Phoenix this season.

24. Rangers

• Injuries are already taking a toll on New York.

25. Devils

• Jersey needs to right the ship ASAP, or else this season could turn ugly in a hurry.

26. Sabres

• Buffalo picked up a good win over Atlanta, but this team is all Ryan Miller at the moment.

27. Flames

• Calgary is dead last in scoring with 1.8 goals per game.

28. Panthers

• Florida is playing the right way, which is what matters for this young squad.

29. Oilers

• After their 2-0 start, the Oilers are where everyone expected them to be.

30. Senators

• In contrast, no one expected Ottawa to be this bad this season.