NHL Daily Plays: Friday, April 10th
There may only be two National Hockey Leagues games scheduled this evening, but we only have two nights of Daily Fantasy Hockey action remaining, so you might as well dive and play while you still can. Separating your team(s) from others may be difficult tonight, but it can also be a lot of fun. Perhaps second and third line combinations along with powerplay stacks will be the difference in tournament play.
Despite there only being four teams hitting the ice tonight, both games look like high scoring affairs and both should be very entertaining. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins are your favorites tonight and none of the four teams in play are playing on the tail end of a back to back.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders NHL Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets – Bobrovksy has been on a quite a run since the beginning of March, posting a 13-2-1 record with a 2.41 GAA and a .928 SV%. The Columbus Blue Jackets are 9-0-1 in their past 10 games and Buffalo can’t beat anyone on the road (9-28-3). The Sabres are dead last in shots per game (23.9) and goals per game (1.89) this season and they are one of the worst offensive teams of all time. He may not see many shots, but Bobrovsky is a lock for the win and your best chance at a shutout.
Other Goalies to Target (Cash Games) – None
Other Goalies to Target (Tournaments) – Jaroslav Halak, Marc-Andre Fleury
FORWARDS
John Tavares, New York Islanders – John Tavares is a cash game beast. Tavares has produced two goals and nine points in his last four games and he has been the best offensive player in hockey since the calendar turned to 2015. Tavares rolls out multi-point games for fun and I expect more of the same tonight in Pittsburgh.
Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets – Johansen has put together a nice offensive stretch, with 17 points in his last 19 games. Buffalo is by far the NHL’s worst defensive team, ranking last or close to last in every single defensive category. The Sabres are the worst team I have seen in many, many years and this game will be dominated by the Columbus Blue Jackets. All the Blue Jackets are in play tonight, with Johansen leading the way.
Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins – Hornqvist has been a nice addition to the Penguins offense and he and Sidney Crosby have developed great chemistry together. Hornqvist has racked up six goals, 12 points and 56 shots on goal in his last 14 games and he will continue to produce as long as he remains healthy. In the Penguins’ three previous meetings versus the New York Islanders this season, Hornqvist has three goals and six points. Hornqvist has multi-goal upside in this matchup tonight.
Other Forwards to Target (Cash Games) – Evgeni Malkin, Nick Foligno, Chris Kunitz, Ryan Strome
Other Forwards to Target (Tournaments) – Cam Atkinson, Anders Lee, Kyle Okposo, Daniel Winnik
DEFENSE
Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins – The Pittsburgh Penguins’ defensive unit has been decimated by injuries. Kris Letang, Christian Ehrhoff, Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot are all out due to injury, leaving Martin to man the point on Pittsburgh’s potent powerplay. Paul Martin gets a huge fantasy boost tonight and that makes him the best bang for your buck on defense.
Other Defensemen to Target (Cash Games) – Nick Leddy, Jack Johnson, Johnny Boychuk
Other Defensemen to Target (Tournaments) – Zack Bogosian, David Savard