NHL Daily Plays: Sunday, November 16th
Just because there are huge NFL GPPs each and every Sunday, don’t forget about your NHL GPP’s. They will often be overlooked and have some overlay. Who doesn’t like that?
The games start at 5 PM EST, so be sure you don’t miss out on this six-game slate of NHL action. Let’s break it down.
Goaltenders
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to puck-drop
Frederik Andersen – Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks are leading the league in points early this season and are a stellar 5-1-3 at home. The Panthers have to travel across the country, and this California road trip has been brutal on east coast teams the past few seasons. Even if the Ducks don’t get their superstar Corey Perry back for this game, they should provide plenty of goals of support to get Andersen the win. If Andersen is out, I also like Jason LaBarbera at the discount he provides.
Ondrej Pavelec – Winnipeg Jets – This is more of a GPP play for me. The Jets are playing good hockey right now and are 7-2-2 in their last 11. They also get the Wild at a time when they don’t have their best offensive player in Zach Parise. While I am not a huge fan of Pavelec’s talent, I think the Jets can steal a win, as Niklas Backstrom is supposed to be in net for Minnesota.
Editor’s Note: Zach Parise was activated from injured reserve today.
Forwards
Joe Thornton – San Jose Sharks – Thornton comes into this game on a five-game point streak and is scoring goals instead of just being the setup man. Coach Todd McLellan has decided to reunite Thomas Hertl with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. Thornton and Hertl had great chemistry last season to start the year until Hertl went down with an injury. Playing with Pavelski will always provide plenty of chances for assists, and I really like the way this line is playing right now.
Johan Franzen – Detroit Red Wings – Franzen has the hot hand for the Red Wings coming into this game, with a goal in each of his last three and a five-game point streak in all. Montreal is coming into Joe Louis Arena after playing a very physical game last night against the Flyers. The beat reporter I follow for the Canadiens expects goalie Carey Price to get the night off and that the backup goalie Dustin Tokarski will get the nod. This only boosts the value of all the Red Wings and puts them in play for me today.
Ryan Kesler – Anaheim Ducks – Kesler comes in at a fraction of the cost of other top plays. Kesler is on a five-game point streak and is being asked to carry more of the offensive burden with superstar Corey Perry out of the lineup with the mumps. Corey Perry may rejoin the team for this game, but even if he does Kesler provides enough value on most sites to warrant a play. The Ducks should control this game against this inexperienced Panthers team and should have plenty of scoring chances.
Defense
Justin Schultz – Edmonton Oilers – Schultz is very cheap on FanDuel tonight, coming in at $3200. He is logging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game over his last three contests. Arizona burned all of us on Friday with their 5-0 thrashing of the Canucks. I have no reason to believe that will be a recurring theme with this team. Mike Smith has been very bad this season, allowing an abysmal 3.43 goals per game. Schultz will see all of the ice time with the top power-play unit for Edmonton, which is all you can ask for at a price this low.
Justin Braun – San Jose Sharks – Another value defenseman that is on the ice for over 20 minutes a game. I expect the Sharks to roll tonight after coming off a losing effort against the injury-depleted Blue Jackets. Braun is more valuable on sites that consider blocked shots as well.