NHL Daily Plays: March 9, 2013
Good morning fellow grinders! Saturdays are Daily Fantasy gold for hockey fans and the NHL offers up a nice ten game slate. The action starts early in several east coast arenas, so make sure set your lineups and get all your “fishing/sniping” done early today. Once that first puck drops in Boston, just sit back an enjoy 10+ hours of non-stop hockey.
Goalies
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalie listed below is starting prior to puck-drop
Jonas Gustavsson – Detroit Red Wings – I’m sure you may be thinking that this is a “homer” pick since I am a Detroit fan… but it’s actually the opposite. I know all-to-well how badly Detroit struggles both against Columbus and also on the road. Normally I would stay far away from the Red Wings in this spot (and likely will avoid their positional players for this reason), but it’s impossible to ignore two things; 1) Gustavsson’s bargain price on several sites, and 2) the improved Detroit defensive play (they’ve only allowed eight goals against in the last seven games).
Forwards
Yes, the Malkin/Crosby/Stamkos/Staal Disclaimer still exists. Use them all with confidence (for the time being, i’ll add Kunitz to this list also)
Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins – This Marchand/Bergeron/Seguin line has been on an absolute terror as of late. The line has combined for an incredible +48 on the season and have tallied 21 points over the last five games. You can’t go wrong with either/all of them today, but if I’m picking one, i’ll take the guy in the middle (aka Patrice Bergeron). Boston has completely dominated this series recently and Philly has had two subpar defensive games in a row.
Lars Eller – Montreal Canadians – This former first round pick is starting to preform like the Habs had hoped he would when they traded away Halak to obtain him. As his minutes have increased this season, so had his production and he’s now registered nine points over the last ten games. Tampa Bay’s porous defense will be focused on trying to shut down Pacioretty’s line, and that should open things up for Eller. He’s a bargain on nearly every site and is well worth consideration today.
Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals – Heeeeeeee’s back! The Ovechkin we used to know appears to have rediscovered himself over the last few weeks and has revitalized these Capitals. It’s quite possible that he’ll join the crew in the disclaimer above by years end. Ovie has ten points in his last six games and, perhaps more importantly, is a +7 during that stretch as well. Suit him up.
Beau Bennett – Pittsburgh Penguins – Bennett, having played just nine NHL games in his short career, suddenly finds himself on a line with Malkin and Neal and has even been dropped onto the second power-play unit also. The Penguins drafted this kid twentieth overall two years ago, and he only fell that far to them due to a wrist injury he suffered in college. He’s another guy who’s a bargain on nearly every site. Keep your expecations in check, but f you’re looking to save money on a winger, how can you pass him up?
Defensemen
Shea Weber – Nashville Predators – Prior to this strike-shortened season, Weber had emerged as one of the must reliable fantasy defenseman in the NHL. His production has been remarkably steady year over year. On the surface, his numbers this year look to be disappointing by comparison. However, if you throw out his first nine games of the season (which, frankly, is probably wise to do for guys who did not play anywhere during the lockout) in which he was held pointless, then he has nine points in fourteen games. He will surely be motivated to ruin his former defensive partner, Ryan Suter, return to Music City. Moral of the story; His early season struggles are behind him. Enjoy the potential discount.
Jake Muzzin – Los Angeles Kings – Muzzin has found himself attached to the hip of linemate Drew Doughty, both at even-strength and on the Kings power-play. He has four points and is a +4 over the last four games and has consistently been seeing 20 minutes of ice-time per game. He’s still near the minimum price on several sites and is a solid defensive option tonight.
Good luck to you all today, with a special good luck shout-out to all the Grinders battling for the Fanduel Daily Fantasy Basketball Championship in Vegas.