NHL Daily Plays: Wednesday, February 18th
We have yet another solid six-game slate tonight in the NHL. We do not have any heavy favorites tonight, so building a cash game lineup may be a little more difficult than usual, though the GPP options are endless.
With 12 teams hitting the ice and a lot of the games being difficult to predict, it should be an interesting night to say the least.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Editor’s Note: Dustin Tokarski has been confirmed as Montreal’s starting goalie for tonight.
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens – Price shut out the Detroit Red Wings in his last start and is as hot as any goalie in the NHL right now. Price has now won eight of his last nine starts, posting three shutouts in the process. The Ottawa Senators lack any real offensive punch and are not an offense to fear. Montreal is playing great hockey these days (7-2-1 in their past 10) and I expect that to continue tonight in Ottawa. Look for Price to be dominant again tonight and win his sixth consecutive game.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Corey Crawford, John Gibson
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Devan Dubnyk, Semyon Varlamov, Jimmy Howard
CENTERS
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks – Toews has points in four consecutive games and continues to be a consistent scorer for the Blackhawks. Chicago’s top line (Brandon Saad, Toews and Marian Hossa) has great chemistry together and they are playing their best hockey of the season right now. Due to his consistency and big game upside, Toews makes a great play in all formats tonight.
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins – Bergeron is riding a three-game scoring streak and has four goals in his last six games. Bergeron is one of the best two-way players in the game today and always seems to post positive points. The Edmonton Oilers are one of league’s worst defensive teams and I expect Bergeron to find the scoresheet again tonight.
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter, David Desharnais
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Pavel Datsyuk, Steven Stamkos, Anze Kopitar
WINGERS
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks – Perry has points in seven of his last eight games and is one of the best snipers in the game today. Perry has really picked up his offensive game in 2015, registering 10 goals, 18 points and 60 shots on goal in 18 games. As one of the league’s best power forwards, look for Perry to flex his muscle tonight versus the Lightning.
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens – Pacioretty is coming off of a multi-point night against the Detroit Red Wings and he will look to duplicate that feat tonight in Ottawa. Pacioretty has been one of the NHL’s best players in 2015 so far, producing 12 goals, 20 points and 86 shots on net in 19 games. The Senators have had trouble keeping the puck out of their net recently and will likely be starting rookie goaltender Andrew Hammond tonight. Ottawa is without both Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner due to injury and Hammond has not posted very good numbers in the minors. Look for Pacioretty to snipe at least one goal tonight.
Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings – Toffoli is smoking hot these days, racking up five goals, seven points and 19 shots on goals in his last five games. Despite the valiant effort on a nightly basis from goaltender Semyon Varlamov, Colorado remains one of the league’s worst teams in terms of defensive zone coverage and possession. “That 70’s line” has been on fire recently and I don’t see the defensively challenged Avalanche slowing them down tonight.
Other Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Zach Parise
Other Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Bobby Ryan, Gustav Nyquist, Marian Gaborik
DEFENSE
Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens – To be honest with you, there are not a lot of standout defensemen tonight. Markov has been very productive in February and is shooting the puck a lot more these days, averaging over three shots per game this month. Markov logs a lot of ice time and mans the point alongside P.K. Subban on the Habs’ top powerplay unit. With the Senators struggling and starting a rookie in net tonight, I expect the Canadiens to score a few goals and Markov to be involved. Markov makes a great value play tonight on defense.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – P.K. Subban, Duncan Keith, Mark Giordano, Drew Doughty
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – Erik Karlsson, Ryan Suter, Victor Hedman, Tyson Barrie