NHL Daily Plays: Monday, February 9th
We have a solid NHL schedule this Monday night, with five games on tap.
The Chicago Blackhawks are a huge favorite tonight and will be a popular team to target in all formats. The other four games are a little more difficult to figure out, making it another interesting night in daily fantasy hockey.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild – Dubnyk has been outstanding in goal for the Wild, winning his last five starts and posting three shutouts in the process. Minnesota has completely turned their season around since Dubnyk’s arrival and are now fighting for a playoff spot. The Wild are a decent sized favorite in a game that Vegas thinks will be a low scoring affair. Look for Dubnyk to put on another strong performance tonight against the Vancouver Canucks and come away with his sixth consecutive win.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Cory Schneider, Corey Crawford, Antti Niemi
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Jonathan Quick, Ryan Miller, Jonas Hiller
CENTERS
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks – The Arizona Coyotes are one of the worst defensive teams in hockey and goaltender Mike Smith (3.30 GAA, .894 SV%) has easily been the worst starting goaltender in the NHL this season. Arizona has allowed the sixth-most shots per game (31.9), third-most goals per game (3.23) and they have the league’s 27th-ranked penalty kill. Chicago is the biggest favorite on the board tonight and getting Toews into your lineup tonight will be a wise decision.
Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets – Johansen has four points in his last two contests and points in 18 of his last 22 games. Johansen is one of the NHL’s best kept secrets and is averaging over a point per game on home ice (10 G, 27 PTS in 26 GP) this season. Despite the Blue Jackets’ struggles this season, Johansen has been one of the few bright spots, producing at an all-star level throughout the season (20 G, 49 PTS, 130 SOG in 51 GP). Columbus has won two straight games, scoring 11 goals in the process, and I expect them to keep rolling tonight versus a Kings team that has really struggled of late (3-5-2 in their past 10) and on the road all season long (6-12-6).
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – Anze Kopitar, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Brad Richards, Sean Monahan, Henrik Sedin
WINGERS
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks – Kane had a big night (1 G, 1 A, 5 SOG) in Chicago’s overtime win in Winnipeg on Friday night, and he now sits second in the NHL’s scoring race. Kane is a cash game stud, thanks to his consistency and massive upside. Having some exposure to both of the Blackhawks’ top two lines tonight is a recipe for success.
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Shark – Marleau is coming off a big game versus the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night (1 G, 2 PTS, 3 SOG) and he has played much better offensively in his last 10 games. Marleau and the Sharks do a lot of their damage on the powerplay and I expect that to continue tonight against the Flames’ 25th-ranked penalty kill. Marleau is moderately priced and has multi-point upside.
Michael Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils – With goals in three of his last four games, Cammalleri leads the Devils’ offensive charge tonight in what is a great home matchup versus the Oilers. Edmonton has been dreadful on the road this season (5-14-7) and they have allowed the second-most goals per game in hockey this year (3.28). Edmonton lost 5-1 on Saturday to the Maple Leafs who were missing their top two defensemen and were on an 11-game losing streak. The Oilers are still one of the top teams to pick on regardless of their opponent.
Other Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Patrick Sharp, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Marian Gaborik
Other Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Nick Foligno, Daniel Sedin, Johnny Gaudreau, Jordan Eberle
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks – ALL the Blackhawks! Keith is one of the best defenseman in the game and is Chicago’s top offensive threat from the blueline. In a plus matchup versus the Coyotes tonight, Keith is my top play on defense.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – Brent Burns, Ryan Suter, Drew Doughty
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – Mark Giordano, Keith Yandle, Brent Seabrook
Good Luck Grinders!
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