NHL Daily Plays: Friday, December 5th
Happy Friday everyone! And a happy birthday to my beautiful wife. See what I just did there? Scored myself some big time suck up points. I am not just a pretty face you know. Well enough about my skills with women, I am much better with hockey.
If you are reading this article, you are an NHL die hard. With only three games on the slate, only the true grinders come out and play on these nights. With just six teams hitting the ice tonight, it won’t be easy to differentiate yourself in cash games. On the flip side, GPPs will be a lot fun as there aren’t many stand-out games. Ok, that’s enough blabbering, let’s get to the NHL Daily Plays!
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Antti Raanta, Chicago Black Hawks, – Raanta stole the show in the Hawks’ 4-1 win over the Blues Tuesday night. He was nothing short of brilliant stopping 40 of the 41 shots he faced. Raanta has been a great back-up goalie in his short career and I like his chances of winning again tonight. Finding a stand-out, number one goalie tonight will not be easy. In a game where the Hawks are a big favorite, Raanta gets the nod as top goalie tonight.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – None. It is a tough night for tenders
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Carey Price, Frederik Andersen, Michael Hutchinson
CENTER
Bryan Little, Winnipeg Jets, – Little is having another solid season as the Jets’ number one center and he has found great chemistry with his linemates Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. The Avalanche gave up four more goals last night in Calgary and sit near the bottom of the league in shots against and goals allowed. Colorado will be playing back-to-back road games and that won’t help their defensive woes. Little has a nice price and I think he has a big game against the Avalanche this evening.
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – Ryan Getzlaf, Jonathan Toews
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, David Desharnais
WINGERS
Patrick Kane, Chicago Black Hawks, – Kane has been smoking hot with seven points (4 G, 3 A, + 8 and 18 SOG) in his past four games. With all the injuries in Chicago, Kaner has taken this team on his back. Kane has been unstoppable of late and I think he continues on his torrid pace tonight.
Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild, – Parise has picked up his game of late with five points in his last three contests. The Ducks are a solid team, but have given up 16 goals in their last four games and appear a little vulnerable right now. Parise is the Wild’s best offensive threat and I think he finds the back of the net tonight versus Anaheim.
Other Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Corey Perry, Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane, Kris Versteeg
Other Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Max Pacioretty, Gabriel Landeskog, Patrick Maroon, P.A. Parenteau, Jason Pominville, Brendan Gallagher
DEFENSE
Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets, – Trouba had a monster game versus Edmonton on Wednesday night, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Trouba has been terrific for the Jets since taking over as the powerplay quarterback. With all of Colorado’s struggles defensively and the fact that they are playing in consecutive road games, I think Trouba can have another strong performance tonight.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Sami Vatanen
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – P.K. Subban, Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin
Good Luck Grinders!
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