NHL Daily Plays: Friday, November 28th
After an enjoyable day of turkey and a lot of football, I hope everyone is ready to dive back into some hockey. The NHL brings us a fantastic and rare eight game schedule on this Friday evening. With sixteen teams taking the ice, we have a lot of great options for our cash game lineup, as well as unlimited combinations for your GPPs. Let’s see what I can do to help you win some money tonight with my 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.
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens, – The Montreal Canadiens have the best record in the Eastern Conference and Carey Price is the reason why. Price is having another fantastic season (2.35 GAA, .922 SV%) for the Habs and is easily your safest bet for a win tonight. The Sabres offense has been almost non-existent all season long. Buffalo is dead last in both goals per game (1.59) and shots per game (23.1). Mr. Price is worth paying up for tonight.
Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues, – Our favorite value goalie is back in action tonight as the Blues host the Edmonton Oilers. Allen has cooled off a bit after a hot start, but he still has great numbers on the year (2.12 GAA, .920 SV%). The Oilers have lost eight straight games and have not traveled well (2-6-2). Edmonton is in playing back-to-back road games and have really struggled offensively (26th in goals per game) this season. Allen makes a great play in your GPPs and I would not talk you out of using him in your cash games if you are looking for a little salary relief.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Tuukka Rask, Marc-Andre Fleury
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Al Montoya, Kari Lehtonen
Center
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, – Crosby has five points in his last two games and is simply the best player in the world. Sid “The Kid” is now leading the league in scoring and has more upside than other player tonight. Carolina has lost three straight games and has been awful on the road this season (2-9-2). The Hurricanes rank near the bottom of the league in both goals against and shots allowed per game. This is one of those nights where I think Crosby has at least a multi-point game and is worth his salary.
Jori Lehtera, St. Louis Blues, – In order to afford players like Carey Price and Sidney Crosby, we are going to have to find some value plays. Lehtera has found great chemistry with his linemates (Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz), and has become one the Blues’ offensive leaders (20 PTS, +12 in 21 GP). The Edmonton Oilers have been brutal in their own end this year and have allowed the 2nd most goals against in hockey.
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Johansen, David Desharnais
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Pavel Datsyuk, Nick Bjugstad, Tomas Plekanec
Left Wing
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars, – Benn has picked up his game of late and now has seven points in his past four games. Benn is one of the best two-way players in the game, and he has the pleasure of playing with fellow superstar Tyler Seguin. This dynamic duo is offensively gifted and completely match-up proof. Benn is a great play in your cash games due to his consistency and he also has the big game upside you need to win your GPPs.
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens, – The Sabres have won three of their last four games, but don’t let that fool you, they are still a team we should pick on. Buffalo allows the most shots per game (36.4) and the 4th most goals against per game (3.23). Pacioretty is the Canadiens’ biggest offensive threat and he has “Hat Trick” upside.
Other Left Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Chris Kunitz, Zach Parise, Alexander Steen
Other Left Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Daniel Sedin, Jeff Skinner, Gustav Nyquist
Right Wing
Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets, – Foligno is having a superb season (10 G, 21 PTS, 46 SOG in 20 GP) and has been one of the Blue Jackets’ few bright spots this year. Foligno has really clicked with center Ryan Johansen and plays on the Jackets’ top powerplay unit. Foligno’s price has yet to catch up to his production and he makes a sneaky value play tonight.
Blake Comeau, Pittsburgh Penguins, – Comeau had a monster game against the Maple Leafs Tuesday night (3 G, 4 SOG, +2), including scoring the overtime winner. Comeau skates alongside studs Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz, while seeing some time on the Penguins 2nd powerplay unit. Pittsburgh is in a great spot tonight and Comeau is a cheap way to get some exposure to them.
Other Right Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Patric Hornqvist, Vladimir Tarasenko, Radim Vrbata
Other Right Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – P.A. Parenteau, Jason Pominville, Johan Franzen
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues, – St. Louis has the league’s 4th best powerplay and Shattenkirk is the Blues’ powerplay quarterback. The Oilers should be a tired team playing in consecutive road games and I expect the Blues to dominate this game from puck drop. The Blues will score some goals tonight and you can bet Shattenkirk will be involved.
Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens, – I expect Montreal to take it to the Sabres tonight and control this game from the get go. Markov plays the point on the Canadiens’ top powerplay unit and should find his way onto the scoresheet tonight. Markov makes a great play tonight in all game formats considering his opponent and his moderate salary.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – Kris Letang, P.K. Subban, John Klingberg
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – James Wisniewski, Dougie Hamilton, Aaron Ekblad
Good Luck Grinders!
Pepsi7