NHL Grind Down: Saturday, December 17th - Page Two
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Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Toronto Maple Leafs | ||||||||
 | Marc-Andre Fleury |  | Frederik Andersen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 20-7-4 | 11-11-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.53 | 2.87 | 20.50% | 77.80% | Team Stats | 2.86 | 2.93 | 19.10% | 83.50% |
The Penguins are on a hot streak like a hot knife through butter. Their captain, Sidney Crosby, leads the league with goals scored and has even garnered the attention and respectful comments from the legend himself, Wayne Gretzky. I am looking forward to seeing how the Maple Leafs’ Austin Mathews will fare against this team of Mon-Stars (Michael Jordan Space Jam movie reference for you millennials).
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been giving it their best under coach Mike Babcock, but lately, despite constantly putting up high shots on goal numbers, they still continue to fall short. A few of the team’s young, talented players have gone on a significant cold streak, much like the weather. Mitch Marner’s and William Nylander are significant young talents who need to find their scoring touch in order for this team to try and stay relevant, I can see this team being a true threat in years to come. As for now, this is definitely a team you want to have some exposure against, and this week, Sid the Kid will put on a hockey clinic.
Elite Plays
PIT: Sidney Crosby, Conor Sheary, Patric Hornqvist, Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin
TOR: None
Secondary Plays
PIT: Carl Hagelin
TOR: None
Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings
| Anaheim Ducks | Detroit Red Wings | ||||||||
 | John Gibson |  | Petr Mrazek | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 16-10-5 | 13-14-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.77 | 2.68 | 22.80% | 80.40% | Team Stats | 2.19 | 2.74 | 13.30% | 84.60% |
The Anaheim Ducks are an above .500 team but still have their work cut out for them in their division. With a few key players back from injury, I think it’s time they kick it into high gear! The Ducks are a solid team both offensively and defensively with two of the better offensive-minded defenders in the game, Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen.
Other than stellar goalie play, the Red Wings have historically had a solid team, but with so many young players, this has the feeling of a rebuild team written all over it. Some players, like Niklas Kronwall and Henrick Zetterberg, are just too old for the season-long grind and will not always be at their best. Others on the team being fresh from the farm, or in their case tundra, are still green and not yet fully familiar on how to handle elite skaters. From time to time, players like Anthony Mantha show flashes of brilliance, while other times he looks like deer in the headlights. That being said, there are no true elite options here.
Elite plays
ANA: Corey Perry, Rickard Rakell, Ryan Getzlaf
DET: None
Secondary Plays:
ANA: Ryan Kessler, Jacob Silfverberg
DET: None
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
| Chicago Blackhawks | St. Louis Blues | ||||||||
 | Scott Darling |  | |||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 20-8-4 | 17-10-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.69 | 2.31 | 19.00% | 73.30% | Team Stats | 2.77 | 2.77 | 21.90% | 88.20% |
The Blackhawks, after a short slump, seem to have started to found new life, especially after the return of Captain Serious Jonathan Toews. Patrick Kane as always will remain one of the NHL’s most productive players. Just wait until the Blackhawks get back to full strength; they are going to be a very dangerous team come the final stretch.
The Blues have some major goaltending issues, meaning that none of their goalies have a save percentage higher than 91 percent, meaning that you want to find whatever line that Vladimir Tarasenko is on and exploit like it’s free appetizer night at TGIF. Vladimir Tarasenko is pretty much carrying this team on his back, while at times, Kevin Shattenkirk is supporting as best he can, but probably more for the pay day that should be coming up.
Elite Plays
CHI: Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, Artem Anisimov, Duncan Keith
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Kevin Shattenkirk
Secondary Plays
CHI: Johnathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Ryan Hartman
STL: Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny
New York Rangers at Nashville Predators
| New York Rangers | Nashville Predators | ||||||||
 |  | ||||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-10-1 | 13-12-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.38 | 2.22 | 21.90% | 86.90% | Team Stats | 2.97 | 2.90 | 20.40% | 80.00% |
At the beginning of the season, the Rangers were the hottest team in hockey it seemed, having by far the most goals for per game average. Unfortunately, with some key injuries to Rick Nash and Henrick Lundqvist, things were getting a bit hairy, a lot like working out with Sasquatch. Lately though, things seem to be getting back on track, and the Rangers seem ready to make a run for the playoffs, I fully expect the Hobbit Mats Zuccarello to get his goal-scoring touch back, but this team, despite having great goaltending has their work cut out for them in this matchup against a surging Nashville team.
Thanksgiving in November and a great month of play went together like mashed potatoes and gravy for the Predators. Now in December, though, we’re seeing a different, more sluggish and hapless goaltending situation. Could it be all the tryptophan from the turkey? It’s obviously not very hard to find the main reason for the recent losses, as Pekka Rinne has gone from being one of the best in the NHL to being in a major slump ’t been himself, but given his long history of being an elite goaltender, he should find his way eventually. As for now, I will say it’s safe to want to make sure you have exposure opposite this team.
Elite Plays
NYR: Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Matts Zuccarello, Rick Nash
NAS: Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, James Neal
Secondary Plays
NYR: Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes
NAS: P.K. Subban, Roman Josi
Tampa Bay Lightning at Edmonton Oilers
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 |  | ||||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 15-14-2 | 15-12-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.83 | 2.77 | 22.20% | 79.40% | Team Stats | 2.91 | 2.69 | 21.60% | 83.50% |
The Tampa Bay Lightning have quickly started going downhill fast without their captain Steven Stamkos. It’s officially time to hit the panic button because not only are they down a league-leading goal scorer, their goalie Ben Bishop has not been on his game at all.
The Edmonton Oilers are totally being carried by the excellent play of Connor McDavid. But hey why complain; it’s working. Unfortunately, the Oilers don’t have the greatest goaltending, and an sport an even more unimpressive defense. But in this juicy matchup, you definitely want some serious exposure to this game.
Elite Plays
TB: Check back later (waiting for Nikita Kutcherov, Steven Stamkos to come back)
EDM: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Patrick Maroon
Secondary Plays
TB: Ugh yeah…not at the moment.
EDM: Jordan Eberle, Milan Lucic