NHL Grind Down: Monday, March 28th - Page Two
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers – 09:00 PM EDT
| Anaheim Ducks | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | John Gibson |  | Cam Talbot | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 41-23-10 | 30-41-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.58 | 2.34 | 23.70% | 86.60% | Team Stats | 2.42 | 2.95 | 17.80% | 80.20% |
It looked like another poor defeat for the Ducks as they trailed 3:0 early in the third period against Ottawa, but the Ducks stormed back and won in overtime. They have looked really shaky during this Canadian road trip, having given up 15 goals in just four games to Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. While the Oilers are going fishing much like the other Canadian teams, they have shown some brass here lately. Cam Talbot will likely get the call tonight, and he is 11-14 with a 2.50 GAA and .917 Sv% at home which is certainly respectable playing behind such a poor defense. With other teams like Washington, Tampa Bay and Nashville at home in better matchups, the Ducks might go underowned tonight. Ryan Getzlaf is logging big minutes and has points in three straight. Corey Perry has points in five of his last six games. While they are not skating together at even strength, both play on the Ducks’ league-best power play unit. Ryan Kesler is expected to return for the Ducks.
The Oilers were not an easy out during their weekend in California. They pounded James Reimer and the Sharks 6:3 before exchanging blows with the Kings in a 6:4 defeat. Connor McDavid continued his torrid pace and has now recorded a point in seven consecutive games. With the Ducks’ defense showing some leaks lately, he could make it eight in a row. At home, McDavid has 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists) in just 21 games. He will play alongside ex-Duck Patrick Maroon who has goals in back-to-back games, in addition to Jordan Eberle who has goals in three straight. If the Ducks keep their mind on the postseason as it seems they have recently, McDavid and the Oilers could be in for another big night offensively.
Elite Plays
ANA: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry
EDM: Connor McDavid
Secondary Plays
ANA: Jamie McGinn, Brandon Pirri
EDM: Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Patrick Maroon
Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks – 10:00 PM EDT
| Los Angeles Kings | San Jose Sharks | ||||||||
 | Jonathan Quick |  | Martin Jones | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 45-25-5 | 41-28-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.72 | 2.31 | 20.50% | 81.40% | Team Stats | 2.88 | 2.57 | 22.10% | 79.90% |
Darryl Sutter put Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter back together and the move paid off big time against the young Oilers as both players potted two goals. However, the Sharks are not the Oilers and thus, expectations should be tempered. Still, San Jose has looked shaky lately, dropping their last three games all at home. Furthermore, the Sharks have been mediocre at the Tank all season long. “(player-popup)Tyler Toffoli”:/players/tyler-toffoli-16983’s skill set keeps him in play tonight, especially on FanDuel where he is criminally underpriced. Anze Kopitar, normally an elite play, loses a lot of his value at an elevated price rate while playing alongside weaker linemates in Tanner Pearson and Dustin Brown. Keep an eye out for any line changes as Sutter has been known to switch them up without notice.
Jonathan Quick has looked a bit shaky lately, having allowed 12 goals in his last four games. He has also struggled against the Sharks this year. In two starts, Quick has given up five goals and four goals, both at home. For as good as the Kings are, they do take their fair share of penalties and sit in the top 10 of most penalized teams. The Sharks have the fourth-best power play in the league and will look to end their three game losing streak at home. Joe Pavelski is one Shark to target as he has had good success against the Kings throughout his career, recording 42 points (21 goals, 21 assists) in 52 games. Furthermore, in four meetings with the Kings this year, Pavelski has four goals and four assists with 20 shots on goal. Stud defenseman Brent Burns is expensive, but he has torched the Kings as well this year, potting three goals and two assists in the five meetings.
Elite Plays
LA: Tyler Toffoli
SJ: Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns
Secondary Plays
LA: Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter
SJ: Tomas Hertl
Calgary Flames at Arizona Coyotes – 10:00 PM EDT
| Calgary Flames | Arizona Coyotes | ||||||||
 | Joni Ortio |  | Mike Smith | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 31-38-6 | 34-34-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.71 | 3.13 | 15.80% | 75.00% | Team Stats | 2.61 | 2.93 | 18.30% | 78.40% |
In what was a scoreless game early in the second period against Chicago, T.J. Brodie made a careless pass which Andrew Ladd intercepted to open the scoring. The Flames responded and played a tight game until the end, but now they will be on the road where they have been hammered all season long (11-22-3). Meanwhile, Arizona has been solid at home where they are 21-14-4. Additionally, the Coyotes have already won all three meetings this year, holding the Flames to a lonely goal in each of them. It has been a disastrous season for the Flames and it is hard to know who will show up on any night. Is it the Flames who pound the Blues 7:4, spearheaded by Gaudreau and Monahan, or is it the Flames who get clobbered by the Leafs and Wild? Outside of bold tournament plays, the Flames should be avoided, especially on the road where Gaudreau is a brutal -18 with only 5 goals compared to his 23 at home.
Even though they will not make the playoffs, Arizona is competing and has been energized by the return of Mike Smith who has looked reborn. The league’s most athletic goalie is 4-1 with a 1.20 GAA and .965 Sv% in his return from injury and makes for a good source of salary relief against an awful road team. There are a number of skaters to target on Arizona, but be mindful that it is a challenge pinpointing them unlike other teams. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is the best option. The talented defenseman has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists, +15) in 37 home games and had a goal and two helpers back in February in Calgary. OEL leads all defensemen with eight game-winning goals and should find the scoresheet tonight against the league’s worst penalty kill team. Max Domi and Martin Hanzal are also in play. The oft-injured Hanzal is cheap across the industry and has points in three straight with 12 shots on goal.
Elite Plays
CGY: None
ARI: Max Domi, Martin Hanzal, Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Secondary Plays
CGY: Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano
ARI: Alex Tanguay, Michael Stone, Mike Smith