NHL Grind Down: Monday, November 23rd

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2015-11-24 22:20:05

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.

Nashville Predators at New York Rangers – 07:00 PM EST

Nashville Predators					New York Rangers
			Pekka Rinne					Henrik Lundqvist
			Record					Record
			11-5-3					15-3-2
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.68	2.47	19.70%	80.00%	Team Stats	3.10	1.85	19.10%	85.10%

Nashville has opened their five-game road trip by being shutout 4-0 in back-to-back games. Now they’ll head to New York City for the toughest task on the whole trip. While the Predators have plenty of firepower up front (James Neal, Filip Forsberg, etc) their recent struggles make them hard to trust tonight and the New York Rangers own the league’s best 1.85 GA/G this season. I will not be targeting their forwards in cash games, but they’re explosive enough to remain fine GPP options. While the matchup just doesn’t get too much tougher, Shea Weber and Roman Josi both log nearly 25 minutes of ice-time per game and aren’t shy about putting the puck on net. They’ve proven to be steady cash game options despite the matchup over the last few seasons.

Nashville is not a team I’ve picked on often in years past as they’re very solid defensively, but the Rangers have won 10 of their last 11 games and I’m expecting them to pick up two more points this evening. Rick Nash finally broke out of his scoring funk against Florida on Saturday as he picked up a hat trick and fired 10 shots on goal. We’ve seen him go one extended hot streaks before and now might be the time to simply ride the wave. His line mates Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello are both off to very nice starts offensively and can only stand to benefit if Nash really gets going. Derek Stepan joins that trio on the top power-play unit and has picked up a pair of goals and six assists over the last eight games. On defense, both Keith Yandle and Ryan McDonagh soak up nearly all of the available minutes on the power-play and both a fine options in this one.

Elite Plays

NSH: Roman Josi, Shea Weber
NYR: Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, Derick Brassard, Keith Yandle

Secondary Play

NSH: Filip Forsberg, James Neil, Mike Fisher, Seth Jones
NYR: Derek Stepan, Kevin Hayes, Dan Boyle

Edmonton Oilers at Washington Capitals – 07:00 PM EST

Edmonton Oilers					Washington Capitals
			Ben Scrivens					Braden Holtby
			Record					Record
			7-12-1					13-5-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.75	3.15	19.70%	77.80%	Team Stats	3.16	2.32	22.00%	84.30%

The Oilers jumped all over New Jersey 5-1 in their last game, but will open up a brutal five-game road trip in out Nation’s Capital this evening. They’ll bring an ugly 7-12-1 record into tonight’s game and it’s tough to see them picking up two points against the Capitals. Breaking down the Oilers is pretty straight-forward as they have just two scoring lines that deserve your attention. Taylor Hall headlines the top line and has already racked up 9 goals and 15 assists in 20 games. Their first round pick in the 2014 draft, Leon Draisaitl has hit the ground running at the NHL level and with 7 goals and 10 assists in 10 career games, he’s clearly thriving alongside Hall. Alternatively, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle join up with Benoit Pouliot to give Todd McLellan plenty of fire-power to work with. However, one of the Oilers biggest weaknesses is their thin blue-line. Andrej Sekera and Oscar Klefbom are worth a mention, but there are definitely more reliable options on the board.

With the Oilers allowing the third most goals against in hockey this season, the Capitals are going to very popular picks in tonight’s DFS action. Breaking down the Capitals offense is very easy; target Alex Ovechkin and any of the players who play alongside him. Ovechkin is the premier play on the board tonight and the sniper has already racked up 10 goals (should be more like 13), added nine assists and leads the NHL with 96 SOG. He’s the most dangerous power-play weapon in the league and should have plenty of scoring chances against the Oilers subpar 77.8% penalty kill. Nicklas Backstrom was recently reunited with Ovechkin as the center of the top line and they’re joined by the newly acquired T.J. Oshie who has been putting up fine numbers to start his career in a Capitals uniform. While they’re my main targets, it would be unfair not to mention the team’s leading goal scorer Evgeny Kuznetsov. While not playing alongside Ovechkin any longer can’t help his offensive production, he teams up with Marcus Johansson and Justin Williams to provide Washington with a very capable secondary scoring line. John Carlson runs the point of the lethal #1 power-play unit and is one of the top defensive options on the board tonight.

Elite Plays

EDM: Taylor Hall, Leon Draisaitl
WAS: Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson

Secondary Play

EDM: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, Teddy Purcell, Benoit Pouliot, Andrej Sekera, Oscar Klefbom
WAS: Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Justin Williams, Matt Niskanen

St. Louis Blues at Buffalo Sabres – 07:00 PM EST

St. Louis Blues					Buffalo Sabres
								Robin Lehner
			Record					Record
			13-6-2					8-10-2
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.67	2.48	17.10%	85.00%	Team Stats	2.10	2.70	21.50%	73.60%

These two teams met just last week, with St. Louis escaping with a 3-2 shootout victory. While I expect St. Louis to win once again tonight, the quicker you can realize that this Buffalo team is vastly improved compared to the last season, the better. However, they’ve dropped four straight games and own an atrocious 73.6% penalty kill. The Tarasenko/Steen/Lehtera line are the top targets here, with David Backes a fine play also as he joins them all to center the top power-play unit. On the blue-line, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko all see plenty of run on the power-play and have put up fine offensive numbers; they can all be used with confidence. Paul Stastny is slated to return to the lineup tonight, but it’s not clear what kind of role he’ll have immediately, so it may be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with him.

Make no mistake, the Buffalo Sabres are no longer the doormat of the Eastern Conference like we had grown accustomed to. However, they’re still a long way from being in playoff contention either. Ryan O’Reilly leads the charge with 7 goals and 9 assists on the young season and is joined by Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta on the top forward line. Phenom Jack Eichel leads the team with 67 SOG and with Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart on his side, creates a very capable second line. Rasmus Ristolainen quarterbacks the teams #1 power-play unit and has already racked up 12 points on young season and joins Cody Franson as really the only two reasonable options on the Buffalo blue-line. St. Louis is a very solid defensive team, so don’t get carried away here.

Elite Plays

STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo
BUF: Ryan O’Reilly

Secondary Plays

STL: David Backes, Jori Lehtera, Colton Parayko
BUF: Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, Matt Moulson, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cody Franson

Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers – 07:00 PM EST

Carolina Hurricanes					Philadelphia Flyers
			Cam Ward					Steve Mason
			Record					Record
			7-10-3					6-9-5
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.00	2.85	14.50%	78.60%	Team Stats	1.70	2.85	13.30%	76.40%

Carolina snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over Los Angeles yesterday, but they’re about to spend the majority of the next month on the road. Eric Staal remains the team’s most dangerous scoring option up front, but Bill Peters still can’t seem to get comfortable with his lines. It appears that Staal will be joined by Victor Rask and Elias Lindholm on the top line, with Kris Versteeg falling to play alongside Riley Nash and Jeff Skinner. With that said, Eric Staal is really the only player on my cash game radar from the Hurricanes forwards. On the blue-line, Justin Faulk leads this team with 15 points and is fresh off of a two goal performance against the Kings yesterday. He’s picked up points in five straight games and is locked into 25+ minutes of ice-time per game.

The Flyers have been a dumpster fire this season, and after being shutout in Ottawa on Saturday, they’ve now dropped 11 of their last 13 games. Jakub Voracek is still stuck on just one goal and their best defenseman Mark Streit is out of action for the next month. They did defeat this Carolina team in their only other meeting this season, but it’s hard to be too confident here. Claude Giroux is easily the most talented (and trust-worthy) option here. Carolina has struggled a but on the penalty kill (78.6%) which does open the door for Voracek, Simmonds and Schenn to contribute offensively. On the blue-line, Streit’s absence has opened the door for Shayne Gostisbehere and the 22 year-old has already grabbed the reigns as the point-man on the #1 power-play unit making him one of the best value plays on defense.

Elite Plays

CAR: Eric Staal, Justin Faulk
PHI: Claude Giroux

Secondary Plays

CAR: Kris Versteeg, Victor Rask, Jeff Skinner, Noah Hanifin
PHI: Jakob Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, Shayne Gostisbehere

Los Angeles Kings at Florida Panthers – 07:30 PM EST

Los Angeles Kings					Florida Panthers
			Jonathan Quick					Roberto Luongo
			Record					Record
			12-8-0					8-8-4
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.50	2.25	20.60%	84.60%	Team Stats	2.65	2.60	22.20%	75.00%

In what looks like it could be one of the least entertaining games of tonight’s slate, the Kings will head to Florida to battle the Panthers. Los Angeles has dropped two straight games and could be dealing with some tired legs after playing yesterday afternoon in Florida. Florida is one of the slowest paced teams in the league (101.6 CP60) and will likely be content trying to grind their way to two points in this one. However, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli have clearly gelled together this season and that duo has combined for 19 goals and 18 assists in 20 games. Alternatively, Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik and Tanner Pearson have been rather quiet to start the season, but Kopitar scored twice in yesterday’s game and has been nearly a point-per-game producer throughout his career. With the Panthers owning an ugly 75.0% penalty kill, Drew Doughty is a top-tier option on the blue line. Jake Muzzin may not have quiet the same upside as Doughty, but he’s generally much cheaper and therefore a very nice play as well.

The Panthers have lost two straight games and have a daunting five-game road trip on the horizon, they should be very desperate for two points tonight against the Kings. However, the Kings are the top team in the league by Corsi standards and have only allowed 2.25 goals per game this season. Florida has some firepower on their roster, but this looks like one of the lowest scoring games on the board and the Barkov/Jagr/Huberdeau line will likely be shadowed by Anze Kopitar all evening. With 13 other teams to choose from this evening, i’ll be fading the Panthers in my cash games.

Elite Plays

LAK: Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Drew Doughty
FLA: None

Secondary Plays

LAK: Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik, Jake Muzzin
FLA: Aleksander Barkov, Jaromir Jagr, Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Pirri, Aaron Ekblad

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