NHL Grind Down: Friday, December 8th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2017-12-08 17:21:45 Premium Content Part of the product SimLabs+

The RotoGrinders NHL Grind Down article will give you an in-depth analysis into the NHL schedule. This article will break down the numbers for every single game and give you analysis on which trends you can exploit. While matchups are a major factor in daily fantasy hockey there are plenty of other factors to consider such as injuries, salaries, and more.

The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Hockey is an extremely high variance sport. The best choice is not always the right choice but following the trends will win you money over time.

Remember, these writeups are done prior to lineups being released, so make sure to check our Starting Lineups page to ensure the recommended options are playing.

Note: As always, if you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use our DraftKings promo code and FanDuel promo code to receive the best perks in the industry.

Stackability Rating System (Offense):

Green : Friendly matchup at 5v5 and/or on the power play; multiple lines worth stacking
Yellow : Line specific matchup at 5v5 and/or friendly power play matchup
Orange : Stacking is best left for GPPs, secondary scoring units and/or power play in tough matchup
Red : Difficult 5v5 and/or power play matchup, stacking not advisable

Stackability Rating System (Goalies):

Green : Goalie has a plus draw and is playable in all formats
Yellow : There is risk at 5v5 or the penalty kill; iffy for cash games and better for GPPs
Orange : Realistic risk at 5v5 and the penalty kill; not advisable in cash games but viable in GPPs
Red : Elevated risk in all situations and not a recommend crease to chase

New York Rangers at Washington Capitals

New York Rangers					Washington Capitals
			Henrik Lundqvist					Braden Holtby
			Record					Record
			15-10-2					17-11-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.33	2.96	21.51	80.46	Team Stats	3.03	2.97	22.11	78.85

Rangers Offensive Outlook

5v5 (adj): 54.52 CF/60 (24) | 61.73 CA/60 (4) | 2.59 xGF/60 (4) | 2.72 xGA/60 (1)

For the second straight small slate, we have a game in Washington that should produce some fireworks. The Blackhawks weren’t up to the task last time, so now the Rangers will give the Capitals’ vulnerable defense a whirl. Washington has struggled to suppress shot attempts and high-danger shot attempts. New York isn’t good with the former but is with the latter.

We should see New York be able to generate plenty of scoring chances. They’ll need to deal with that Braden Holtby guy, but the infrastructure is in place for a nice game for the Rangers. It doesn’t look like Mika Zibanejad will be healthy enough to play, so David Desharnais will continue his run at the top center and play between Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich. While this line will see the Backstrom line for Washington, they’re good enough to overcome the matchup (which isn’t terrible) and produce some good looks.

New York’s second line may not find the scoresheet much but it’s not for lack of trying. Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash, and Jimmy Vesey have done a good job producing high-danger shot attempts and they typically avoid top defensive matchups. There is a lot to like about this line as they work against a Capitals team that has struggled where the line has been good: high-danger shot attempts.

With the Rangers we need to look at their third line, regardless if whether short slate rules apply or not. That’s because New York’s third line is better than most, with J.T. Miller centering Michael Grabner and Mats Zuccarello. They will have a fantastic 5v5 matchup against a soft Washington bottom six, tournament players take note. Zuccarello skates on the top power play unit if looking for a one-off.

Rangers Special Teams Outlook
Washington has played undisciplined at times this year, and they go shorthanded an average of 3.6 times per game. The penalty kill struggles with shot attempts in particular and scoring chances and high-danger shot attempts in general. New York’s power play lags a bit behind the median, so this isn’t a high end group. That said, they do have some gifted skaters on their top unit so they should get a few good chances when Washington goes down.

Rangers Goaltending Outlook
Henrik Lundqvist was an NBA-stylee late scratch in NY’s last game, though you likely weren’t using him anyway. He avoided a tough matchup against the Penguins but he should be over his illness to get a decently difficult draw against the Capitals. Washington’s offensive numbers aren’t great in the aggregate, but their top line is on fire right now and New York’s defensive woes do their goaltending no favors.