NHL Grind Down: Monday, January 4th
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.
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Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils – 07:00 PM EST
| Detroit Red Wings | New Jersey Devils | ||||||||
 | Jimmy Howard |  | Cory Schneider | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 19-13-7 | 20-14-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.54 | 2.67 | 18.30% | 79.10% | Team Stats | 2.33 | 2.31 | 20.00% | 83.20% |
The Wings have really struggled lately, but managed to stop the bleeding a bit with a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and will be looking to hold things together as they continue their six game road trip tonight in New Jersey. With both of these teams ranked as two of the slowest paced teams in the NHL this season, this doesn’t figure to be one of the most fantasy friendly games on tonight’s slate. With that said, the Wings have a very balanced scoring attack with three forward lines that can burn the Devils if they make mistakes. However, the top line of Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader and Gustav Nyquist are the most dangerous and it’s that trio that is joined by Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall on the #1 power-play unit. Datsyuk has picked up 12 points over the last 14 games and finally looks to be back to full speed. He carries a very reasonable price-tag across the industry making him a fine option in this matchup tonight. Both the previously mentioned Niklas Kronwall and Mike Green log nearly all of the available minutes on the power-play for the Wings and both players have shown enough offensive upside to be used in all formats.
The New Jersey Devils may not be the most offensively exciting team in the league, but they’ve rattled off three straight wins and defeated this Detroit team in both prior meeting this season. The Devils are content with clogging up the nuetral zone as much as possible and simply capatalizing on opponents mistakes to overcome their lack of offensive firepower. Michael Cammalleri was scratched on Saturday and his status has not been updated since. He leads the team with 35 points in 38 games and his absence would obviously be a tremendous blow to the already thin forward unit in New Jersey. With that said, Kyle Palmieri has been gaining momentum for weeks now and has absolutely torched this Detroit team this season, scoring two goals and adding two assists in their two meetings. He’ll join Travis Zajac (and hopefully Cammalleri) on the top line and can still be found at a bargain asking price.
Elite Options
DET: Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader, Pavel Datsyuk, Mike Green
NJD: Michael Cammalleri (if healthy), Kyle Palmieri
Secondary Options
DET: Gustav Nyquist, Dylan Larkin, Brad Richards, Niklas Kronwall
NJD: Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac, Lee Stempniak, Damon Severson
Ottawa Senators at St. Louis Blues – 08:00 PM EST
| Ottawa Senators | St. Louis Blues | ||||||||
 | Craig Anderson |  | Jake Allen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-14-6 | 23-14-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.84 | 2.92 | 18.50% | 76.30% | Team Stats | 2.41 | 2.41 | 21.40% | 86.30% |
Ottawa was shutout for the second straight game last night in Chicago and will be faced with another stiff test tonight as they head south on I-55 to battle the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center. The Senators have really stumbled down the stretch as they own just a 6-9-1 record over their last 16 games and falled into sixth place in the competitive Atlantic Division. It’s tough to be too comfortable rolling with them in cash games after back-to-back shutouts, but they do have two very talented forward lines and Erik Karlsson on the blue-line to consider. The matchup is obviously far from ideal, but Karlsson leads all NHL defenseman (and this team) with 41 points in 38 games this season and has as much offensive freedom as any blue-liner in the league. Offensively, Mike Hoffman, Bobby Ryan and Mika Zibanejad have been the most dangerous offensive line for Ottawa lately, but opposing solid defenders like Alex Steen, David Backes and Troy Brouwer will make things difficult for them.
Coach Hitchcock was very disappointed after his teams 4-1 loss in Toronto on Saturday and he’s expecting an inspired performance from the Blues tonight against Ottawa before they embark on a tough three game West Coast road trip. This talented Blues team has sputtered a bit as they own just an 8-8-1 record over their last 17 games. They’ll have no excuses not to produce offensivelly tonight as the Ottawa Senators enter as the second worst puck possession team in the NHL (46.5 CF%), have allowed more SOG/G than any other team in the league (33.8 SA/G) and were busy taking on the Chicago Blackhawks last night. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his 23rd goal of the season against Toronto and now leads this team with 40 points in 39 games. He’s one of the elite scoring options on tonight’s slate and can be used with confidence in all formats. Alex Steen trails just behind him with 35 points this season and is slated to join him and Paul Stastny on both the top forward line as well as the #1 power-play unit. With the Senators also owning the second worst penalty kill in the NHL, the defensive trio of Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko all see a significant fantasy boost in this one.
Elite Options
OTT: Erik Karlsson
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk
Secondary Options
OTT: Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad
STL: Paul Stastny, David Backes, Robby Fabbri, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche – 09:00 PM EST
| Los Angeles Kings | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | Jonathan Quick |  | Semyon Varlamov | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 25-11-2 | 18-18-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.68 | 2.16 | 20.20% | 83.20% | Team Stats | 2.79 | 2.82 | 20.30% | 80.00% |
In a battle between two teams on the polar opposite of the Corsi spectrum, the Los Angeles Kings will head to the Pepsi Center to battle the Colorado Avalanche. Los Angeles defeated Colorado in their only previous meeting this season and have no picked up wins in each of their last five games. The Kings have looked like one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference this season and have posted a 12-3-1 record over their last 16 games. Los Angeles is expecting Jeff Carter back in the lineup tonight after a four game absence and that gives Darryl Sutter his two headed attack back once again. It figures that Carter would return to centering Milan Lucic and Tyler Toffoli on the top line, which would return the suddently red-hot Anze Kopitar to centering Tanner Pearson and Marian Gaborik on the “second line”. All six forwards look like fine options in this one, but Kopitar has racked up nine points during his current five game point streak and should not be ignored in this favorable matchup. On the blue-line, Drew Doughty lit the lamp against Philadelphia on Saturday and has tallied five goals and seven assists over the last 15 games. Alternatively, Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez have put up very fine offensive numbers and can be found at a fraction of the price.
The Avalanche were shutout by the league’s worst defensive team (Calgary) in their last outing and will now be tasked with taking on a Los Angeles team that owns a league best 2.16 GA/G. On paper, this looks like a very bad matchup for the Colorado Avalanche and I’m not going to have much, if any, exposure to them in my cash games. Patrick Roy recently split up the dynamic trio of Nathan Mackinnon, Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog but while that may be bad news for those three, it does finally give Jarome Iginla some talent to play with. On defense, both Tyson Barrie and Erik Johnson log big minutes on the point of the Avs’ power-play and both blue-liners have enough offensive upside to be fine GPP targets. Just tread very carefully as picking against the Kings in daily fantasy hockey has not been a profitable endevour this season.
Elite Options
LOS: Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter (if back), Tyler Toffoli, Drew Doughty
COL: None
Secondary Options
LOS: Marian Gaborik, Milan Lucic, Tanner Pearson, Alec Martinez, Jake Muzzin
COL: Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan Mackinnon, Jarome Iginla, Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie
Carolina Hurricanes at Edmonton Oilers – 09:00 PM EST
| Carolina Hurricanes | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | Cam Ward |  | Ben Scrivens | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 16-17-6 | 16-21-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.36 | 2.79 | 16.70% | 78.90% | Team Stats | 2.45 | 3.05 | 16.50% | 79.80% |
The Hurricanes lost a very physical 2-1 overtime decision to the Nashville Predators on Saturday and will make the long trip to Edmonton to battle the Oilers tonight. While their 16-17-6 record leaves a lot to be desired, Carolina is still a very strong hockey club by Corsi standards (53.3 CF%) and cruised to an easy 4-1 victory over this Edmonton team in their only previous meeting this season. Edmonton has allowed an ugly 3.05 goals per game this season and own a subpar 79.8% penalty kill, so Carolina should be able to create plenty of scoring chances. Defenseman Justin Faulk leads this team with 30 points in 39 games and has become a deadly weapon on the point of the ‘Canes #1 power-play unit, making him one of the better defensive options on the board tonight. Up-front, Eric Staal headlines the top forward line with Kris Versteeg and Elias Lindholm on his wing. While they’ll draw most of the fantasy attention, Jeff Skinner racked up ten goals and three assists in 14 games during the month of December and lit the lamp against Edmonton in that first meeting.
The Oilers snapped a four game losing streak with a shutout victory against the Coyotes on Saturday and are just looking to stay afloat in the very mediocre Pacific Division until they can get Connor McDavid back in action. Edmonton has posted a very solid 11-7-1 record at the Rexall Place this season and have a decent matchup on tap tonight against a Carolina team that has allowed 2.79 goals per game this season. Taylor Hall has racked up 41 points in 40 games this season and headlines the top line alongside impressive rookie Leon Draisaitl and Teddy Purcell. Their speed and creativity will likely be a matchup problem for the Hurricanes and makes them fine targets. Alternatively, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centers Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot on a very capable secondary scoring line and, with all three likely being overlooked a bit, they’re a very compelling line to stack in GPP’s. On defense, the Oilers have recieved almost zero offensive production lately and it’s tough to recommend anyone on their blue-line for cash games.
Elite Options
CAR: Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg, Jeff Skinner, Justin Faulk
EDM: Taylor Hall, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Secondary Options
CAR: Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask, Jordan Staal
EDM: Jordan Eberle, Teddy Purcell, Benoit Pouliot
Arizona Coyotes at Vancouver Canucks – 10:00 PM EST
| Arizona Coyotes | Vancouver Canucks | ||||||||
 | Mike Smith |  | Ryan Miller | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-16-4 | 15-15-9 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.82 | 3.18 | 16.80% | 79.00% | Team Stats | 2.36 | 2.77 | 16.00% | 78.90% |
After falling 4-3 in a shootout against the Oilers on Sunday, Arizona will continue their three game tour of Western Canada in Vancouver tonight. Arizona still somehow finds themselves in second place in the Pacific Division, but they’ve posted a somewhat ugly 5-7-3 record since the beginning of December and are highly unlikely to be in the playoff picture come spring time. Arizona is desprerately hoping for Martin Hanzal to return to the lineup tonight and with 20 points in 26 games, he’d offer a well neaded jolt to their offensive attack. He’d likely join the teams leading scored Mikkel Boedker and Antoine Vermette on the top line which would allow youngsters Max Domi and Anthony Duclair to try and rekindle some of the offensive magic they flashed early this season. On defense, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of the most promising young talents in the NHL and has racked up four goals and four assists over the last seven games. Tread carefully on sites that include plus/minus in their scoring, but don’t completely overlook this team on a five game slate.
The Canucks own just a 15-15-9 record this season but they’ve won three of their last four games and enter tonight’s home matchup against the Coyotes as a solid -150 favorite by Vegas standards. The Coyotes allowed an NHL worst 3.79 goals against per game in 14 games during the month of December, and while this Canucks team has been rather disappointing this season, they may likely be rather popular selections tonight. They’re very easy to break down from a fantasy standpoint as both Daniel and Henrik Sedin are responsible for an unhealthy percentage of this team’s offense. Daniel Sedin leads the way with 16 goals and 21 assists in 39 games this season and scored a goal against Arizona in their only previous meeting this season. Jannik Hansen has the luxury of playing alongside the Sedin brothers at even strength, with Radim Vrbata getting that honor on the #1 power-play unit. On defense, Alex Edler quarterbacks the top power-play and, with 17 points in 38 games, he’s the best option on this Canucks blue-line.
Elite Options
ARI: Mikkel Boedker, Martin Hanzal (if healthy), Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson
VAN: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler
Secondary Options
ARI: Anthony Duclair, Antoine Vermette, Shane Doan
VAN: Jannik Hansen, Radim Vrbata, Alex Burrows