NHL Grind Down: Monday, March 14th

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2016-03-15 19:50:15

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.

Florida Panthers at New York Islanders – 07:00 PM EDT

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Florida Panthers					New York Islanders
			Roberto Luongo					Thomas Greiss
			Record					Record
			38-21-9					37-21-8
Team Stats	2.72	2.41	16.70%	81.50%	Team Stats	2.82	2.45	19.50%	85.40%

The Panthers picked up a huge victory against the Flyers on Saturday and will now kick off a three-game road trip tonight in Brooklyn as they look to extend their winning streak to three games. Florida has defeated the Islanders in both prior meetings this season and should be highly motivated as they now find themselves in an absolute dog-fight with Boston and Tampa Bay for the Atlantic Division crown. Jaromir Jagr just keeps on putting up big numbers and now leads the team with 53 points in 65 games. He’s picked up a pair of points in each of the last two games and has posted eight goals and 12 assists in 19 games since the All-Star break. He’s joined by the talented duo of Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov on both the top line and #1 power-play unit and all three look like fine targets tonight. Alternatively, the trio of Jussi Jokinen, Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith have given Gerard Gallant some consistent secondary scoring. Those three have combined for 17 goals, 37 assists and a plus 21 in 19 games since the All-Star break and often seem to be overlooked a bit. While the Islander’s excellent 85.4% penalty kill takes away some of their upside, both Aaron Ekblad and Brian Campbell are locked into 20+ minutes of ice-time per game and run things from the point of Florida’s power-play.

The Islanders will hit the ice tonight at the Barclay’s Center having dropped two straight games and really need to get things turned around quickly before fading too far behind the cross-town rival New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division. They haven’t had much luck against this Panthers team this season but have posted a very solid 20-8-4 home record this season and should be playing with a sense of urgency as they’ll head out on a very tough looking three game road trip after this one game stop back home. Captain John Tavares leads this team with 26 goals and 54 points and now lit the lamp in three straight games. Gerard Gallant did us all a favor by putting Kyle Okposo back on his right-side (with Josh Bailey on the let) on the top line and they’re easily the top scoring options. Frans Nielsen joins Tavares and Okposo on the Islander’s top power-play unit and has posted a goal and five assists in six games this month. On the blue-line, Nick Leddy saw a four-game point streak snapped in Boston on Saturday but the former first round pick has been a force lately; posting two goals and 16 assists in 19 games in the second half.

Florida Panthers

CF%: 48.1, CP60: 97.7, 5×5 Differential: 18
Elite Options: Jaromir Jagr, Jussi Jokinen, Aleksander Barkov
Secondary Options: Jonathan Huberdeau, Reilly Smith, Vincent Trocheck, Aaron Ekblad, Brian Campbell

New York Islanders

CF%: 50, CP60: 111.7, 5×5 Differential: 11
Elite Options: John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Nick Leddy
Secondary Options: Frans Nielsen, Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Johnny Boychuk

Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks – 08:30 PM EDT

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Los Angeles Kings					Chicago Blackhawks
			Jonathan Quick					Corey Crawford
			Record					Record
			40-22-5					41-22-6
Team Stats	2.66	2.27	21.80%	80.80%	Team Stats	2.81	2.42	23.60%	78.30%

In a battle between two Western Conference heavyweights, the Los Angeles Kings will invade the Madhouse on Madison looking to do what few other teams have done, leave Chicago with two points. The Kings are narrowly hanging on to the lead in the Pacific Division, but Darryl Sutter was noticeably disappointed with his team’s effort in Saturday night’s loss to the New Jersey Devils at the Staples Center. Sutter recently shuffled up his forward lines, putting Jeff Carter onto the top line alongside Milan Lucic and Anze Kopitar. While they’re the top scoring options, they’ll also draw the eye of both Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews, making for one of the toughest matchups on the board tonight. With that in mind, Coach Sutter will be counting on youngsters Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli to get something going on the second line. On defense, Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin have both put up very nice offensive numbers this season and are in play despite the tough matchup. Alec Martinez has picked up assists in each of the last three games and can be found at a fraction of the price on most sites. Just tread carefully here as the Blackhawks have allowed an NHL low 1.74 goals against per game at United Center.

The defending Stanley Cup champions lost two straight games to their division rivals and now suddenly find themselves sitting in third place in the stacked Central Division. With just 13 games left in the regular season, they can’t afford to leave any points on the table if they want to open the first round of the playoffs at the United Center where they own a 24-8-2 record this season. With the Toews line locking horns with the Kings dynamic top line, Coach Quenneville will be content with letting Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin continue to provide the lions share of the Blackhawks scoring. Kane owns an NHL best 89 points in 69 games this season and has torched the Kings for two goals and two assists in their two prior meetings this season. Meanwhile Panarin is looking to put a bow on a potentially Calder Trophy win freshman season in the NHL as the 24 year old has racked up 25 goals and 37 assists in 67 games. The tandem of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have both posted 42 points this season and facilitate things from the point of Chicago’s very dangerous #1 power-play unit.

Los Angeles Kings

CF%: 56.1, CP60: 110.3, 5×5 Differential: 10
Elite Options: Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty
Secondary Options: Jeff Carter, Milan Lucic, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez

Chicago Blackhawks

CF%: 50.7, CP60: 109.7, 5×5 Differential: 0
Elite Options: Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, Duncan Keith
Secondary Options: Jonathan Toews, Andrew Ladd, Teuvo Teravainen, Brent Seabrook

Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers – 09:00 PM EDT

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Nashville Predators					Edmonton Oilers
			Pekka Rinne					Cam Talbot
			Record					Record
			34-22-13					27-37-7
Team Stats	2.70	2.55	19.20%	79.90%	Team Stats	2.32	2.92	16.40%	80.80%

The Predators lost in regulation for the first time in over a month in Vancouver on Saturday. While they’ve played extremely well lately, they may be running out of steam just a bit as they wrap up a five game road trip tonight in Edmonton. With that said, the Oilers have allowed 2.92 goals against per game this season and Nashville has easily dismissed them in each of their first two meetings. Filip Forsberg erupted out of the All-Star break, scoring 14 goals and eight assists in 19 second-half games. He’s already lit the lamp twice against the Oilers this season and looks very dangerous alongside Mike Ribeiro and Craig Smith on the second forward line and #1 power-play unit. Ryan Johansen and James Neal have been eerily quiet lately, but both players are very explosive and this looks like the matchup that could see them break out with multiple goals. Mike Fisher joins those two up-front on the second power-play unit and has not only tallied three goals over the last four games but has also already scored a pair of goals against the Oilers this season. On defense, both Roman Josi and Shea Weber are known commodities and top tier options on the blue-line if you can afford them.

After being shut out on home-ice against the Arizona Coyotes over the weekend, the Oilers will take the ice tonight with the worst record in the Western Conference. While I’m not expecting them to pick up two points against the Predators tonight, their top two lines are loaded with offensive talent and hard to ignore, especially in GPP’s. Phenom Connor McDavid has posted 14 goals and 21 assists in his first 34 games at the NHL level and will now skate alongside Taylor Hall on the top line to create of one the most dangerous duos in the NHL. With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins back in the mix, Todd McLellan now has two additional forward lines that can provide some offense. Leon Draisaitl is in the midst of a fine rookie season and will skate with Jordan Eberle on the second line, with RNH pairing up with the talented Nail Yakupov on the third line. On the blue-line, Andrej Sekera is the main weapon specially now that Justin Schultz is no longer stealing some of his power-play time. He’s picked up four assists in his last five games and is in play if you’re not too concerned with his plus/minus risk.

Nashville Predators

CF%: 52.4, CP60: 106.1, 5×5 Differential: 11
Elite Options: Filip Forsberg, Craig Smith, James Neal, Shea Weber, Roman Josi
Secondary Options: Ryan Johansen, Mike Ribeiro, Calle Jarnkrok, Mike Fisher

Edmonton Oilers

CF%: 49.3, CP60: 110.8, 5×5 Differential: -32
Elite Options: Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall
Secondary Options: Jordan Eberle, Leon Draisaitl, Andrej Sekera

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames – 09:00 PM EDT

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
St. Louis Blues					Calgary Flames
			Jake Allen					Joni Ortio
			Record					Record
			41-20-9					28-35-5
Team Stats	2.54	2.40	21.60%	85.90%	Team Stats	2.65	3.10	15.50%	74.20%

If you weren’t a believer that this St. Louis team was going to be a tough out come playoff time before, consecutive wins over Chicago, Anaheim and Dallas in their last three games should change your mind. St. Louis has now won six straight games and own a 11-3-0 record over their last 14 games. They’ll head to Calgary to battle the defensively challenged Flames and will likely be rather popular selections tonight. The Blues have defeated the Flames in both prior meetings this season and should be eager to get a crack at their NHL worst 74.2% penalty kill. Vladimir Tarasenko leads the team with 33 goals and 61 points and has really heated up lately, posting four goals and three assists in five games this month. He’ll be joined by Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz on a the top line that has looked very dangerous lately. Rookie Robby Fabbri has flashed the offensive upside that made him the 21st overall draft pick in 2014 as he’s racked up five goals and ten assists since the All-Star break and will put a four-game point streak on the line tonight. Paul Stastny joins him and Troy Brouwer on the second line and is fresh off of a three assist performance in Dallas on Saturday. With Calgary’s atrocious penalty kill back on the mind, the trio of Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko all look like terrific options on the blue-line. Shattenkirk potted a pair of goals against the Stars on Saturday and has rack up two goals and four assists in five games this month.

The Flames have posted an ugly 3-10-2 record over their last 15 games and are arguably one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season. While the very tough matchup makes them trust to trust in cash games, they have been a completely different team at the Saddledome this season. With Sam Bennett sidelined, breaking down the Calgary forwards can start and end with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the top line and #1 power-play unit. Gaudreau has posted a ridiculous 23 goals, 25 assists and +22 in 34 home games and has GPP winning upside tonight. Meanwhile, Monahan has racked up nine goals and 23 assists in 34 home games and has topped 20 goals in all three of his NHL seasons thus far. On the blue-line, Dennis Wideman returned from his suspension on Friday night, but it’s Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton that deserve the most attention. While both players have shown plenty of offensive upside, St. Louis’ 85.9% penalty kill makes them better suited for GPP use.

St. Louis Blues

CF%: 51.5, CP60: 106.3, 5×5 Differential: 7
Elite Options: Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo
Secondary Options: Jori Lehtera, Paul Stastny, Robby Fabbri, David Backes, Colton Parayko

Calgary Flames

CF%: 47.9, CP60: 110.7, 5×5 Differential: -13
Elite Options: Johnny Gaudreau
Secondary Options: Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton

Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks – 10:00 PM EDT

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Winnipeg Jets					Vancouver Canucks
			Michael Hutchinson					Ryan Miller
			Record					Record
			28-35-5					27-28-12
Team Stats	2.56	2.94	15.50%	78.30%	Team Stats	2.39	2.82	17.50%	81.30%

With a 3-8-2 record in their last 13 games, the Jets have free-fallen into last place of the Central Division and now find themselves with very little motivation to pick up any more points. They’re dealing with a few key injuries up front to the likes of Bryan Little and Nikolaj Ehlers and haven’t won back-to-back games since early February. However, the Jets did cruise to an easy 4-1 victory against the Canucks in their only other meeting this season. Blake Wheeler leads the team with 60 points in 68 games this season but it’s been his new center Mark Scheifele carrying the offensive load lately. The former first round pick scored yet another goal on Saturday (and added an assist) and has now racked up ten goals and eight assists in his last 12 games. He lit up the Canucks for two goals and an assist in their only prior meeting this season and still remains very reasonably priced on most sites. On defense, Dustin Byfuglien is easily the top option on the Winnipeg blue-line. Big Buff has postged 44 points, fired 208 SOG and racked up 97 PIM in 68 games this season. He runs the show from the point of the top power-play unit and is a fine option for all formats tonight.

The Canucks have kicked off a four game home stand with back-to-back victories and will look to keep things rolling as the Winnipeg Jets come to town tonight. Henrik Sedin returned to action on Saturday and it’s once again him and his brother Daniel that are easily the top fantasy options from this team tonight. Henrik picked up an assist in his return on Saturday while Daniel scored his 26th goal of the season and has now tallied 57 points and a plus 14 in 67 games. Both players headline the top power-play unit, and the Jets owning an ugly 78.3% penalty kill, they both look like nice options. With that poor penalty kill still on the mind, youngsters Sven Baertschi and Linden Vey are fine targets if you’re looking for some salary relief. Both players join the Sedin twins on the top power-play unit and have flashed some offensive upside. Beartschi in particular looks intriguing as the former 13th overall pick has scored two goals and added three assists in the last five games. With Alex Edler still sidelined, 22 year-old Ben Hutton continues to see as much work as he can handle on the blue-line. Hutton has taken the reigns as the point-man on the top power-play and has racked up ten assists in his last 15 games. He’s still very cheap on most sites, so enjoy the discount against a Jets’ team that is averaging 12:00 PIM/G.

Winnipeg Jets

CF%: 51.8, CP60: 106.8, 5×5 Differential: -4
Elite Options: Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien
Secondary Options: Drew Stafford, Mathieu Perreault, Toby Enstrom

Vancouver Canucks

CF%: 47.2, CP60: 103.5, 5×5 Differential: -14
Elite Options: Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin
Secondary Options: Sven Baertschi, Linden Vey, Radim Vrbata, Ben Hutton