NHL Grind Down: Saturday, December 3rd - Page Three
Jump to Page 1 2 3
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche
| Dallas Stars | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | Antti Niemi |  | Semyon Varlamov | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 9-10-6 | 9-12-1 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.52 | 3.40 | 18.10% | 77.30% | Team Stats | 2.23 | 2.95 | 16.20% | 79.30% |
The biggest problem the Dallas Stars have had this year is the inability to keep the puck out of their own net. They have given up a league leading 85 goals so far this season and if this continues they will surely be golfing by mid-April. The top line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Cody Eakin is almost always in play as Seguin is sitting right at a point-per-game through the first 25 games. Benn is next with 20 points so far while Eakin should get some opportunity playing next to these two. Jason Spezza and Patrick Eaves join Benn and Seguin on the top power play unit form the second line and could be viewed as a GPP play on the road but their production just doesn’t warrant that tonight. Defensively John Klinberg continues to find himself in Lindy Ruff’s doghouse but for now is back on the top power play unit. Julius Honka has been the other option on the blue line a she certainly isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. With only ten goals to their credit over the last five games it may be best to fade the Stars until they get back on track, save Benn and Seguin.
The Avalanche need a win here to give the home crowd a reason not to sell their season tickets to someone else. They have dropped their last four games, which have all been at home and need a win here not to get shut out on this home stand. There really is nothing to cheer about as their 9-12-1 record is good for a tie with the Arizona Coyotes for the worst in the league while their 49 goals in 22 games is the worst in the league. Of the 13 goals that Colorado has scored in the last five games, Rene Bourque has three and Mikael Grigorenko has two. This is a prime example of why Colorado is even worse than they were when Patrick Roy was coaching them. I didn’t believe they could get worse, but they have. As mentioned above, Dallas gives up plenty of goals so maybe a top line stack of Bourque, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen may just pay off in GPP plays tonight. MacKinnon leads the team in shots with 19 while Rantanen leads the team with five points over the last five games. Tyson Barrie is a choice from the point as he sees a lot of power play time and is third on the Avalanche in scoring with 11 points. On a team that doesn’t score much that’s what you will get, a gut with 11 points sitting in third on your scoring chart. Matt Duchene could be used as a one-off here as he has 14 points in 18 games from the second line while playing on the second line.
Elite Plays
DAL: Tyler Seguin
COL: None
Secondary Plays
DAL: Jamie Benn, John Klingberg, Jason Spezza
COL: Nathan MacKinnon, Rene Bourque, Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, Tyson Barrie
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers
| Anaheim Ducks | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | John Gibson |  | Cam Talbot | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 12-8-4 | 13-10-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.58 | 2.29 | 22.10% | 83.30% | Team Stats | 3.00 | 2.60 | 19.00% | 86.30% |
The Ducks continue to play good solid hockey as their 6-3-1 record over the last ten games have put them ahead of Edmonton for second place in the Pacific division. The top line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell should be in play most nights with Rakell being the most productive with nine goals and four assists in just 15 games. Defenseman Cam Fowler is the choice on the blue line as he quarterbacks the team’s top power play unit while grabbing two goals and two assists over the last five games to lead the team. Ryan Kesler makes for nice one-off here as he plays on the top power play unit next to Perry and Getzlaf. Defenseman Sami Vatanen is in play as well as he completes the top unit with the man advantage and has chipped in three assists over the last five games. The Ducks should score some goals tonight against an Edmonton team that has given up 14 goals over the last five games.
There is no doubt in my mind that the top line of Connor McDavid, Milan Lucic and Leon Draisaitl will be one of the higher owned stacks of the night. Not only do you get the late hammer but this line has scored eight goals and has chalked up 17 assists in the last five games. They also represent the Oilers top line when the go have the man advantage, so there will be plenty of opportunity tonight. Mark Letestu has joined them on the top power play unit and has two goals and an assist in the last four games he has played in. Andrej Sekera has reclaimed the point on the teams’ top power play unit and has responded with a goal and two assist over the last five games. Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins play on the team’s second line and are worth a look for deeper tournament plays.
Elite Plays
ANA: Corey Perry
EDM: Connor McDavid
Secondary Plays
ANA: Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Cam Fowler, Ryan Kesler
EDM: Leon Draisaitl, Milan Lucic, Jordan Eberle, Andrej Sekera