NHL Daily Plays: Friday, February 6th
As we roll into the weekend, the NHL presents us with a solid five-game schedule on this Friday evening. The St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals are all playing on back-to-back nights and could be a little tired at some point during their games.
Similar to last night, we do not have a lot of heavy favorites on the board, making things a little more difficult in your cash games and certainly more interesting in tournament play.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues – Elliot was outstanding in the Blues’ come from behind win over the Lightning Tuesday night and has now won nine of his last 11 starts. The Blues are rolling right now with seven consecutive wins, allowing only 11 goals during that stretch. Despite the Blues playing on back to back nights, I still expect them to win this hockey game. Look for Elliott to have a strong performance and to lead St. Louis to victory in Columbus tonight.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Cory Schneider
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Michael Hutchinson, Corey Crawford, Jonathan Bernier
CENTER
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames – Monahan has points in eight of his last nine games and is a big reason why Calgary is winning hockey games these days. The Flames have now won four games in a row and eight of their last ten. Monahan centers the Flames’ top line and number one power play unit and has been an underrated fantasy performer all season long. Monahan is one of the top value plays at center tonight.
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – David Backes, Nicklas Backstrom, Jonathan Toews
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Ryan Johansen, Tyler Bozak, Bryan Little
WINGERS
Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues – Tarasenko has now scored in three straight contests and continues to put up impressive numbers for the Blues this season (27 G, 52 PTS +26, 180 SOG in 51 GP). The Columbus Blue Jackets have allowed the fourth-most shots per game (32.8) and the fifth-most goals per game (3.14) on the season, and these numbers will not improve until Sergei Bobrovsky returns. Tarasenko has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league this year and he also happens to have huge upside. Play Tarasenko with confidence in any format tonight.
David Perron, Pittsburgh Penguins – Perron had a big game versus Edmonton (1G, 3 SOG) on Wednesday night and continues to produce for the Penguins. Playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz can have that effect on people. Pittsburgh’s top line is one of the safest and most explosive lines in all of hockey and Perron is an inexpensive way to get exposure to that line.
Mike Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils – Cammalleri has goals in back to back games and is one of the few offensive threats on the Devils. New Jersey is playing much better hockey recently going 6-2-2 in their past ten games, including a win over the Maple Leafs on January 28th. Toronto has now lost ten consecutive games and they continue to sit in the bottom third of the NHL in most defensive categories.
Other Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Alexander Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Corey Perry
Other Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Andrew Ladd, Troy Brouwer, Nick Foligno
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks – Keith has started to look better offensively with points in five of his last seven games. Winnipeg has lost five straight games and have allowed a whopping 20 goals in the process. Despite it being a down year for Keith, he remains one of the top offensive defenseman in hockey and a part of the Blackhawks’ top notch offense. The Jets take more penalties than any other team in hockey and I think Keith and company can exploit that tonight.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – Kris Letang, Alex Pietrangelo, Mike Green
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – Dustin Byfuglien, Cody Franson, Marek Zidlicky