NHL Grind Down: Saturday, March 17th

by Tom Woollam (elctrceye) Last Updated 2018-03-18 02:06:46 Premium Content Part of the product Combo Lite

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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.

Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres

Chicago Blackhawks					Buffalo Sabres
			Jean-Francois Berube					Chad Johnson
			Record					Record
			30-33-8					22-36-12
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.82	2.99	15.73	80.86	Team Stats	2.37	3.24	17.37	79.02

The Blackhawks have tried their best but they just don’t seem to have enough talent to get anything going. They face another divisional last place team in the Buffalo Sabres so they may actually be a bole to score a few goals here this afternoon. The team has won three times in the last nine games and has eclipsed the three-goal mark three times over the last 19 games. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad have been skating as the top line and for all intents and purposes are easily the line to target here. Kane and Toews have combined for 17 points over the last seven games which has helped Kane lead the team with 25 goals and 42 assists so far this season. After Kane’s 67 points there is a big 18 point drop down to Toews and his 49 points which just about sums up the season for the Chicago club. Alex Debrincat was hot early in the season as he and linemate Nick Schmaltz have both reached the 40 point plateau this season. John Hayden skates with them at even strength while Patrick Sharp and Artem Anisimov skate on the lower lines. Anisimov can save you some salary as he skates on the top power play unit and has been able to garb two of his last four points while skating with the extra attacker. Erik Gustafsson and his six points over the last seven games is the best you are going to get on the back line as both Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have underperformed so far this season. Look for the hawks to score a few here but maybe not win the game.

The Sabres are back where they are used to being as their 56 points makes them the worst team in the league and literally have no shot at playing in any post season games. The good news is that Jack Eichel looks to return tonight and skate with Jason Pominville and Zemgus Girgensons on one of the team’s scoring lines. There is no doubt that Eichel, who still leads the team with 22 goals and 31 assists, is no doubt ready to go as Buffalo would have to be flat out dumb to put him in there in meaningless games if he wasn’t healthy. Ryan O’Reilly, Scott Wilson and Sam Reinhart skate on the second line that has scored five of the team’s last 12 goals. Eichel will more than likely play on the top power play unit with O’Reilly and Reinhart with Evan Rodrigues jumping up from the third line to go along for the ride. Rasmus Ristolainen is the clear choice on the back line as he anchors the team’s top power play unit.