NHL Grind Down: Monday, October 24th
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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NOTE: Listed team records/statistics are from 2015/16 season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens
| Philadelphia Flyers | Montreal Canadiens | ||||||||
 | Steve Mason |  | Carey Price | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 41-27-14 | 38-38-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.57 | 3.80 | 18.90% | 80.50% | Team Stats | 2.63 | 1.60 | 16.20% | 81.90% |
After dropping three straight games headed into Saturday’s battle with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flyers offense finally erupted and sent six pucks passed Eddie Lack on their way to a 6-3 victory. They’ll head out for a quick one game road trip tonight with a stop at the Bell Centre in what is a very tough matchup against the 4-0-1 Montreal Canadiens. This matchup is certainly not ideal for the Flyers as Carey Price will guard the crease for Montreal, but on a two game slate you’ll still want to dig in a bit more here as the Canadiens have allowed a troubling 12.48 SCA/60 this season and their league high 108.58 PDO suggests that they’ve been a bit lucky to get off to the hot start we’ve seen. Up-front, Dave Haskell has two very capable scoring lines to use to attack Montreal. All-Star Claude Giroux headlines both the top forward line and #1 power-play unit where he’s flanked by Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds on both. Giroux has racked up six assists in five games this season and has at least one point in each of the last four games. Meanwhile, his former partner-in-crime Jakub Voracek leads the Flyers with seven points already this season (two goals and five assists) and has developed a very nice rapport with new linemates Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier. While those are the top two lines that deserve cash game consideration, it wouldn’t be fair to skip over Matt Read as he’s already found the back of the net five times this season and does see a healthy dose of playing time on the wings of the second power-play unit making him an intriguing GPP option. Shayne Gostisbehere is the #1 option on the Philly blue-line and is well worth consideration in all formats this evening. He’s posted a goal and four assists in those first five games and quarterback’s the #1 power-play unit. Alternatively, Ivan Provorov and Mark Streit both run the point of the second power-play unit and, while they’re nowhere near as consistent as Gostisbehere, they still have some GPP upside.
Montreal will hit the ice tonight owning the top spot in the very competitive Atlantic Division and will look to push their current winning streak to four games. They lead the entire NHL with 4.00 GF/G thus far this season and that will likely make them rather popular selections on this two game slate. Much like his Philadelphia counterparts, Michel Therrien will lean very heavily on his top two forward lines to help carry the offensive load this evening. It all starts with the top line of Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher as all three players are tied atop the team lead with five points a piece on the young season and also join forces on the #1 power-play unit. While they’re command a ton of attention this evening (for good reason), Alexander Radulov looks to be growing more and more comfortable with his new team and seems destined for an offensive explosion sooner rather than later. He’s slated to once again join Tomas Plekanec and talented rookie Artturi Lehkonen on the second line while also seeing plenty of run with the man advantage on the second power-play unit. On defense, Shea Weber is easily the top option. He’s locked into huge minutes if playing time and brings his booming shot to the point of the #1 power-play unit where he’s joined by Andrei Markov. With the Flyers following up last season’s penalty kill struggles with some more defensive lapses this season, both players move up my defensive rankings this evening.
Philadelphia Flyers
Team Metrics – 2016 – 50.59 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 4, 116.02 CP60
Elite Options
Claude Giroux ($7,000 FD, $6,500 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 63.33 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 99.85 PDO
Shayne Gostisbehere ($5,800 FD, $6,100 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 57.71 CF60, 2.42 xGF60, 103.14 PDO
Secondary Options
Wayne Simmonds ($7,000 FD, $6,400 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 64.57 CF60, 2.68 xGF60, 100.21 PDO
Jakub Voracek ($6,800 FD, $6,000 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 60.44 CF60, 2.65 xGF60, 100.75 PDO
Sean Couturier ($5,000 FD, $4,500 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 61.65 CF60, 2.68 xGF60, 101.99 PDO
Travis Konecny ($3,900 FD, $4,000 DK) – 2016 metrics – NA
Expected Netminder
Steve Mason – My Ratings (out of 10): 6 Cash, 7 GPP
Montreal Canadiens
Team Metrics – 2016 – 51.53 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -6, 111.93 CP60
Elite Options
Max Pacioretty ($7,200 FD, $7,000 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 67.37 CF60, 3.05 xGF60, 98.03 PDO
Shea Weber ($6,000 FD, $6,400 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 60.15 CF60, 2.43 xGF60, 98.29 PDO
Secondary Options
Alex Galchenyuk ($5,900 FD, $6,200 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 63.62 CF60, 2.85 xGF60, 100.38 PDO
Brendan Gallagher ($6,300 FD, $6,600 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 67.54 CF60, 3.1 xGF60, 102.63 PDO
Alexander Radulov $5,100 FD, $4,800 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – NA
Andrei Markov ($4,600 FD, $4,400 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 58.53 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 100.82 PDO
Expected Netminder
Carey Price – My Ratings (out of 10): 8 Cash, 8 GPP
Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks
| Calgary Flames | Chicago Blackhawks | ||||||||
 | Brian Elliott |  | Corey Crawford | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 35-40-7 | 47-26-9 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.79 | 4.33 | 17.00% | 75.50% | Team Stats | 2.85 | 3.67 | 22.60% | 80.30% |
It’s been a really ugly start to the season for the Calgary Flames, and the NHL scheduling gods don’t look like they’ll be doing them any favors anytime soon. With the somewhat daunting task of facing the Chicago Blackhawks at the Madhouse on Madison tonight, the natural first reaction is to immediately look elsewhere. However, with just two games on the docket this evening, we don’t have that luxury. Now, i’m not saying I’m loading up on Calgary Flames in cash games this evening, but they’re still a dangerous team offensively and they still need to be on your GPP radar. It’s not a secret that the Flames’ top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Michael Frolik will be burdened with high offensive expectations. They’re very talented and certainly capable of potting several goals on any given night, but also draw one of the toughest matchups around as Joel Quenneville will be able to utilize the last line change to shadow the Flames top line with defensive stalwart Jonathan Toews. While that has to be viewed as bad news to some degree for Johnny Hockey and company, it does open the door for the second line of Kris Versteeg, Sam Bennett and Troy Brouwer to see a bit more open ice this evening. On defense, Mark Giordano leads the team with almost 26 minutes of ice-time per game. He’s racked up four points in six games this season and is a major offensive threat as the point man on the #1 power-play unit where he’s joined by the up-and-coming Dougie Hamilton. With the Blackhawks having already coughed up a least worst 12 power-play goals this season (42.9% penalty kill), both blue-liners look like strong options this evening.
As the biggest favorite on the board and the Calgary Flames entering the United Center having surrendered an NHL worst 4.33 GA/G thus far this season, the Blackhawks are going to be quite chalky in cash games (and probably GPPs, too) this evening. Chicago has plenty of firepower to throw over the boards, but it’s both of their top two forward lines that produce a high percentage of their scoring chances. Jonathan Toews is set to be joined by Richard Panik and Tyler Motte on the top line where Richard Panik actually leads the NHL with six goals (in just six games). However, with just nine shots on goal to pot those six goals and no track record of offensive production, it’s hard to see that level of production continuing for too much longer. As mentioned above, Jonathan Toews will likely be tasked with some added defensive responsibilities in this one tonight as he looks to slow down the combo of Gaudreau and Monahan, which means Patrick Kane will be asked to carry the load offensively. Kane is my #1 offensive target of the evening and he’ll be a staple in my cash games across the board. Even though it feels like he’s been off to a slow start to the season, he’s still tallied a goals and six assists in the first six games and back playing alongside the tandem of Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov. Kane and Panarin also join Jonathan Toews on the #1 power-play unit, and with Calgary having actually allowed the second most power-play goals this season (eight), all three forwards deserve a significant fantasy boost tonight. On defense, both Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook share the point on that #1 power-play unit and have a long history of solid offensive production. They’re not always the most fun players to roster, but tonight’s matchup just doesn’t get too much better for them.
Calgary Flames
Team Metrics – 2016 – 47.99 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -16, 112.02 CP60
Elite Options
Mark Giordano ($6,900 FD, $6,300 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 55.81 CF60, 2.4 xGF60, 98.52 PDO
Secondary Options
Johnny Gaudreau ($7,100 FD, $6,900 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 55.44 CF60, 2.49 xGF60, 100.66 PDO
Sean Monahan ($6,700 FD, $5,900 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 54.06 CF60, 2.47 xGF60, 100.63 PDO
Troy Brouwer ($5,300 FD, $4,600 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 54.98 CF60, 2.35 xGF60, 100.98 PDO
Sam Bennett ($3,900 FD, $4,000 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 55.17 CF60, 2.36 xGF60, 100.47 PDO
Dougie Hamilton ($5,400 FD, $4,800 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 57.53 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 97.9 PDO
Expected Netminder
Brian Elliott – My Ratings (out of 10): 4.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Chicago Blackhawks
Team Metrics – 2016 – 50.65 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -7, 111.26 CP60
Elite Options
Patrick Kane ($8,500 FD, $8,400 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 58.04 CF60, 2.33 xGF60, 101.98 PDO
Artemi Panarin ($6,600 FD, $6,800 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 58.05 CF60, 2.26 xGF60, 100.03 PDO
Duncan Keith ($6,100 FD, $5,900 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 57.64 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 99.69 PDO
Secondary Options
Jonathan Toews ($6,400 FD, $5,700 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 58.58 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 99.65 PDO
Richard Panik ($4,300 FD, $5,000 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 55.46 CF60, 2.24 xGF60, 103.51 PDO
Artem Anisimov ($5,200 FD, $5,200 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 56.52 CF60, 2.23 xGF60, 100.68 PDO
Brent Seabrook ($5,600 FD, $5,800 DK) – 15-16 Metrics – 55.47 CF60, 2.15 xGF60, 100.1 PDO
Expected Netminder
Corey Crawford – My Ratings (out of 10): 8 Cash, 8 GPP