NHL Grind Down: Friday, February 19th

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2016-02-22 14:33:58

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.

New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
New York Islanders					New Jersey Devils
			Thomas Greiss					Cory Schneider
			Record					Record
			30-19-6					29-22-7
Team Stats	2.85	2.51	19.80%	87.00%	Team Stats	2.21	2.24	21.20%	82.20%

The Islanders were outworked throughout much of last night’s game and ultimately fell 3-2 in overtime to the Washington Capitals. They won’t have much time to recover as they’ll head to New Jersey tonight to kick off a seven game road trip that will likely either make or break their season. Facing a grinding Devils team that will look to slow this game down at all costs is definitely not ideal, but overlooking the Islanders tonight could be a costly mistake. The Islanders need John Tavares now more than ever and he’s caught fire recently with six goals and seven assists in nine games since the All-Star break. He lit the lamp against the Devils the only other time he faced them and raised the fantasy value of his linemates Ryan Strome and Mikhail Grabovski. Kyle Okposo, Anders Lee and Frans Nielsen join Tavares on the top power-play unit and have provided nice returns lately as well. On defense, Nick Leddy picked up another assist last night against Washington to extend his point streak to four games and has now racked up a goal and eight assists in nine games since the all-star break. Leddy and Johnny Boychuk soak up the lions share of the playing time on the point of the power-play and are both carry a reasonable enough price-tag to remain fine options despite the less than ideal matchup.

The Devils saw a three game winning streak snapped as they were smoked 6-3 by the Flyers on Tuesday and will face another stiff test against an Islanders team that shut them out in their last meeting. The Devils are the slowest paced team in the NHL this season and subsequently have posted a league low 2.21 goals per game. Both of these things are obviously red-flags for fantasy use and with Michael Cammalleri still unlikely ready to return, you should be looking elsewhere in cash games. With that said, Lee Stempniak leads the team with 40 points in 58 games and remains very reasonably priced across the industry. He’s posted seven goals and 16 assists in 29 home games and Adam Henrique and Oscar hopeful Joseph Blandisi on both the top forward line and #1 power-play unit. Alternatively, Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri join forces on the second line and have some appeal as a GPP stack. The Devils have seen very little production from their blue-line all season and there’s little reason to expect things to change against the Islanders terrific 87.0% penalty kill.

New York Islanders

CF%: 50.9, CP60: 112.6, 5×5 Differential: 7
Elite Options: John Tavares, Kyle Okposo
Secondary Options: Frans Nielsen, Ryan Strome, Anders Lee, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy

New Jersey Devils

CF%: 46.4, CP60: 90.2, 5×5 Differential: -6
Elite Options: None
Secondary Options: Lee Stempniak, Adam Henrique, Kyle Palmieri

San Jose Sharks at Carolina Hurricanes – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
San Jose Sharks					Carolina Hurricanes
			Martin Jones					Eddie Lack
			Record					Record
			30-20-5					26-21-10
Team Stats	2.95	2.65	22.60%	80.70%	Team Stats	2.44	2.58	16.90%	81.60%

The Sharks picked up a very physical 2-1 shootout victory against the Panthers to complete the sweep of Florida, but will continue their grueling road trip with no rest tonight in Carolina. Only the Nashville Predators are allowing fewer shots on goal than the Hurricanes this season making this a fairly tough matchup, but the Sharks look to have found their groove lately; winning three straight games and posting a 13-2-3 record over their last 18 games. Joel Ward hat trick led the Sharks to a 5-2 victory the only other time these teams met but he’s taken a back seat lately as the Sharks have returned to full health. Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski lead this team in scoring and team up on the top line and #1 power-play unit. Super Joe has posted three goals and seven assists in eight games since the break while Pavelski has exploded for 16 goals and 18 assists in 30 road games. Logan Couture scored his sixth goal of the season in last night’s contest and the former first round pick has now tallied three goals and six assists in his last six games. He and Patrick Marleau join Pavelski and Thornton up-front on the top power-play unit and are well worth consideration tonight. Brent Burns has been held off the scoressheet in each of the last two games but has still made a fantasy impact with a ridiculous 30 shots on goal over the last four outings. He’s racked up 18 goals and 30 assists on the young season and his 244 SOG trails only Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead. He picked up a pair of assists against Carolina in that first meeting and is one of the top blue-line options on the board if you can afford him.

Carolina couldn’t seem to solve Craig Anderson last night and ultimately dropped a tough 4-2 decision to the Ottawa Senators. They’ve now fallen four points out of the final playoff spot in the crowded Eastern Conference and simply can’t absorb too many more losses going forward. While they’ve been very solid defensively all season, they’re averaging just 2.43 goals per game this season and don’t offer too many exciting fantasy options. Jordan Staal has scored in back-to-back games and now leads the team with 35 points. He’s posted seven goals and 13 assists over the past 18 games and is their most consistant fantasy producer. Alternatively, Kris Versteeg has tallied eight goals and 16 assists in 28 home games this season and joins Jordan’s brother Eric on the top scoring line. While they’ve been rather quiet over the past few weeks, they still have plenty of GPP upside. On defense, Justin Faulk looks to be unlikely to suit up once again, giving first round pick Noah Hanifin the reigns to the top power-play unit. The talented rookie has posted isn’t the most exciting fantasy option but has posted two points over the past three games and is still dirt cheap across the industry.

San Jose Sharks

CF%: 51, CP60: 107.5, 5×5 Differential: 5
Elite Options: Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns
Secondary Options: Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, Joel Ward, Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Carolina Hurricanes

CF%: 52.9, CP60: 106.5, 5×5 Differential: -9
Elite Options: Jordan Staal
Secondary Options: Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg, Jeff Skinner, Noah Hanifin

Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Buffalo Sabres					Columbus Blue Jackets
			Robin Lehner					Joonas Korpisalo
			Record					Record
			23-28-7					23-28-7
Team Stats	2.34	2.71	19.60%	81.60%	Team Stats	2.50	3.05	17.20%	80.20%

Despite out-playing the Senators for much of the game, the Sabres dropped a 2-1 shootout decision and have now own just a 4-5-3 record over their last 12 games. While they’re clearly a year (or two) away from competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they’re faced with a nice matchup tonight against a Columbus team that has allowed 3.05 goals against per game this season. Ryan O’Reilly leads the charge with 49 points in 58 games and has stayed hot with nine assists in eight games since the break. He scored a goal and added an assist in the only prior meeting between these two teams this season and should have Evander Kane back alongside him on the top line tonight. Jack Eichel headlines the second forward line and also joins O’Reilly on the top power-play unit. The #2 pick from the 2015 draft has racked up eight goals and 17 assists in his last 26 games and also lit the lamp against Columbus in that first meeting. Definsively, Rasmus Ristolainen and Cody Franson both see a healthy dose of playing time on the point of the power-play and are the top options. Ristolainen has posted a career high 33 points in 58 games and also owns a goal and an assist against Columbus.

Columbus is playing much better lately, but for the second year in a row they’re going to be unable to pull themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into. They own a solid 6-1-3 record over their last ten games and should be on your radar in a favorable home matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have allowed 3.20 goals per game over their last ten games and John Tortorella has plenty of offensive weapons at his disposal. Scott Hartnell, Cam Atkinson and Brandon Saad are all tied for the team lead with 37 points this season and are fine plays. Both Atkinson and Saad have posted 23 points already this season at the Nationwide Arena are certainly not shy about shooting the puck (324 combined SOG). Seth Jones has tallied ten assists in 17 games with his new team and is averaging nearly five minutes of extra ice-time per game with Columbus than he was in Nashville. He’s the top option on the Columbus blue-line and joins Jack Johnson on the point of the #1 power-play unit.

Buffalo Sabres

CF%: 48, CP60: 104.3, 5×5 Differential: -28
Elite Options: Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel
Secondary Options: Evander Kane, Jamie McGinn, Sam Reinhart, Cody Franson

Columbus Blue Jackets

CF%: 47.8, CP60: 108.2, 5×5 Differential: -13
Elite Options: Brandon Saad, Cam Atkinson
Secondary Options: Scott Hartnell, Boone Jenner, Brandon Dubinsky, Seth Jones

Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens – 07:30 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Philadelphia Flyers					Montreal Canadiens
			Steve Mason
			Record					Record
			25-21-10
Team Stats	2.41	2.61	18.60%	78.70%	Team Stats	2.67	2.76	18.20%	83.10%

The Flyers poured on the offense in a 6-3 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday and will continue a tough five-game road trip as they invade the Bell Centre in Montreal tonight. With the Canadiens seemingly unable to pull out of their free-fall and allowing 3.38 goals against during the month of February, Philadelphia deserves your attention. The biggest news lately is Jakub Voracek being dropped from the top line with Brayden Schenn replacing him on the top line. While he still joins his only line-mates on the top power-play unit, this is obviously a dent to his fantasy outlook tonight. Meanwhile, Schenn took full advantage of his new role with a goal and two assists against the Devils on Tuesday and it looks like the Flyers are showcasing the former first-round pick as the trade deadline approaches. He’ll join Claude Giroux on the top line, and all three are fine options in all formats. Giroux has posted two goals and eight assists in nine game this month while Simmonds has added seven goals and two assists of his own. Simmonds is second in the NHL (behind Jamie Benn) in high-danger scoring chances this season and often doesn’t get quite the attention he deserves among fantasy players. On defense, Shayne Gostisbehere has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down and frankly deserves much more Calder consideration than he’s currently receiving. He scored his 11th goal of the season against the Devils to extend his scoring streak to a very impressive 13 games and has now tallied 32 points in 38 games this season.

After being swept on a three game road trip, the Montreal Canadiens will head back home with their heads hung low and their season on life support. After an 19-4-3 start to the season, Montreal has gone 8-23-1 since and now find themselves as long shots to grab a playoff spot int he Eastern Conference. They’ve lost both prior meetings to this Philadelphia team this year and it’s simply too hard to trust them in cash games at this point. P.K Subban leads the team with 44 points through 58 games and is easily the safest option considering the Flyers poor 78.7% penalty kill. His defensive partner Andrei Markov has heated up recently with a goal and three assists in his last five games and is also a threat from the point of the #1 power-play unit. Up-front, Tomas Plekanec has racked up seven goals and 17 assists in 28 home games this season and comes centers both the top forward line and #1 power-play unit where he’ss posted three goals and six assists in eight games since the break. Max Pacioretty has been one of the most disappointing players in the NHL this season, but his pedigree makes him a fine GPP play anyways.

Philadelphia Flyers

CF%: 49.5, CP60: 112.3, 5×5 Differential: 0
Elite Options: Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Shayne Gostisbehere
Secondary Options: Jakub Voracek, Brayden Schenn, Mark Streit

Montreal Canadiens

CF%: 52.9, CP60: 109.1, 5×5 Differential: -3
Elite Options: P.K. Subban
Secondary Options: Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk, Andrei Markov

Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames – 09:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Vancouver Canucks					Calgary Flames
			Ryan Miller					Jonas Hiller
			Record					Record
			22-22-12					25-28-3
Team Stats	2.30	2.75	16.90%	81.10%	Team Stats	2.70	3.05	15.70%	73.30%

The Canucks were thoroughly outplayed in a 5-2 loss against the Anaheim Ducks last night and have now coughed up five goals in each game during their current three game losing streak. They’ve posted just a 2-6-1 record over their last nine games and have dropped each of their last two games against this Calgary squad. Only the New Jersey Devils have scored fewer than Vancouver’s 2.30 goals per game this season, but while they’re certainly tough to trust in cash games this evening, the matchup against the defensively challenged Calgary Flames does give them some tournament appeal. As we’ve grown accustomed to over the past decade, the Sedin brothers easily lead Vancouver in the scoring race and are the top fantasy options this evening. Daniel Sedin assisted on both goals in last night’s game and has now tallied 48 points in 57 games. He’s scored a goal and added two assists in the three prior meetings with the Flames this season and join Henrik on both the top forward unit and #1 power-play. Henrik also had an assist last night to extend his scoring streak to four games and both brothers are likely salivating at the thought of getting a crack at the Flames NHL worst 73.3% penalty kill. With Alex Edler sidelined for the next six weeks, rookie Ben Hutton has seen his offensive responsibilities increase and is now the point-man on the top power-play unit. He’s picked up three assists in his last five games and is dirt cheap across the industry, making him a very fine “punt” play on the blue-line if you’re in need of some salary relief.

The Flames were torched for five more goals on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Wild have have now allowed 15 goals against during their current three game losing skid. They’ve posted just a 6-10-1 record over their last 17 games and their front office is likely getting close to waiving the white flag on what has been a very disappointing 2015-16 season. With that said, their issues have been on the defensive end of the ice, not offensively. The trio of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Jiri Hudler have continued to post solid offensive numbers and have combined for four goals and seven assists in three prior meetings against the Canucks this season. Gaudreau has posted a ridiculous 19 goals, 21 assists and +20 in 28 games at the Saddledome this season and is a top tier play on the wing as the Canucks are one of the worst puck possession teams in the league and could be dealing with tired legs after playing last night. On defense, Mark Giordano is the top option as he’s tallied eight goals and 19 assists in 31 games after a slow start to the season. With Dennis Wideman suspended and Kris Russell questionable with a lower body injury, both Dougie Hamilton and T.J. Brodie will be handed some added responsibilities tonight. T.J. Brodie has dished out eight assists over the last seven games and grabbed a pair of helpers the only other time he faced this Vancouver team.

Vancouver Canucks

CF%: 47.2, CP60: 103.1, 5×5 Differential: -8
Elite Options: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin
Secondary Options: Bo Horvat, Jannik Hansen, Radim Vrbata, Sven Baertschi, Ben Hutton

Calgary Flames

CF%: 47.5, CP60: 110.3, 5×5 Differential: -12
Elite Options: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano
Secondary Options: Jiri Hudler, Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton