NHL Grind Down: Saturday, March 5th
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.
Minnesota Wild at Buffalo Sabres – 01:00 PM EST
| Minnesota Wild | Buffalo Sabres | ||||||||
 | Devan Dubnyk |  | Robin Lehner | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 30-25-10 | 26-31-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.65 | 2.48 | 18.90% | 76.70% | Team Stats | 2.35 | 2.62 | 19.20% | 82.70% |
The last playoff spot in the Western conference is up for grabs as both the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche are in a dead heat for the eighth spot with 70 points. With roughly 18 games remaining it would seem unlikely that Vancouver or Arizona could catch them as there are both a full ten points away from over taking either team. The Wild wouldn’t even be part of this conversation if not for their 7-3 record over the last ten games. The top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle also double as the team’s top power play unit and could be in play here for cash games although with their being ten other games on tap today it may be best to look elsewhere. Thomas Vanek and Mikael Granlund skate on the second line and each have three goals and three assists over the last ten games but if it’s a GPP play you are looking for maybe the third line is best suited for you. Jason Pominville, Erik Haula and Nino Niedereitter each have ten or more points over the last ten games with Niedereitter leading the way with seven goals and four assists. Ryan Suter is the choice on defense as he is second on the team in scoring and enjoying a modest four game scoring streak.
It’s going to be tough for the Sabres to come away with a win in this one. Sure they are 5-3-2 in their last ten games and yes they did score six goals against a very depleted Calgary team on Thursday night, but the fact of the matter is, they still aren’t a good team yet. The injuries to Ryan O’Reilly and Tyler Ennis haven’t help much so the only line that you can remotely trust would be the first line. Evander Kane and Jack Eichel seem to be gelling together somewhat as Eichel finally found the scoresheet after five games and Kane has added three points over the last six games. Again, there’s not much here to work with which makes them a GPP play along with line mate Sam Reinhart. Defenseman Zach Bogosian has been promoted to the top power play line and has figured in on seven of the teams last 13 goals. Rasmus Ristolainen would be the other choice as he lit the lamp last game and has 15 shots in the last five games he has played.
Elite Plays
MIN: None
BUF: None
Secondary Plays
MIN: Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Charlie Coyle, Ryan Suter
BUF: Jack Eichel, Evander Kane, Sam Reinhart, Zach Bogosian, Rasmus Ristolainen
Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche – 03:00 PM EST
| Nashville Predators | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | Pekka Rinne |  | Calvin Pickard | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 32-21-12 | 33-29-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.66 | 2.54 | 20.50% | 78.50% | Team Stats | 2.65 | 2.86 | 19.40% | 80.80% |
After decisive wins against St Louis and Dallas on home ice the Predators decided to go out and let the New Jersey Devils score five goals in a game that saw Nashville lose in overtime. If the Predators are going to stay in the top eight in the Western conference they better start getting some production from their so called ‘top line’ of James Neal, Calle Jarnkrok and Ryan Johansen. Jarnkrok has four goals in the last ten games while Neal has a goal and an assist in his last five with Johansen bringing up the rear with just one point in his last nine games. This isn’t good for a team that has their sights set for making a little noise once April comes around. The good news is that this line should get some room to move on the ice as the line of Filip Forsberg, Mike Ribeiro and Craig Smith will no doubt attract the best Colorado has to offer in terms of trying to shut opponents down. Forsberg has been killing it of late with nine goals to go along with four assists over the last ten games. Ribeiro is usually dishing out assists as he has six of them and a total of seven points over the last five games. While Smith remains consistent with three goals and four assists in his last four games. Defenseman Shea Weber has a goal and three assists since his return from injury and he pairs up well with Roman Josi who has five assists in the last five games. Even though Nashville is on the road I’d expect them to have some high ownership in cash games for the early slate only.
This game could have a playoff-like atmosphere as Colorado needs to keep pace with the Minnesota Wild for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western conference. Newly acquired Mikkel Boedker was placed on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog and got his first goal with his new team as the Avalanche defeated the Florida Panthers by a score of 3-2 on Thursday night. MacKinnon has four points in the last four games while Landeskog has two goals and six assists in the last seven games he’s played in. Look for this line to do some damage tonight as they can basically keep them away from Nashville’s top shut down line. Jarome Iginla skates on the second line but plays with the top line on the team’s top power play unit. Iginla has found some sort of fountain of youth as he has lit the lamp six times and assisted on five other goals in the last ten games. Tyson Barrie is the choice at the point as he completes the team’s top power play unit and has found the scoresheet 12 times in the last ten games.
Elite Plays
NSH: Filip Forsberg
COL: None
Secondary Plays
NSH: Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Craig Smith, Mike Ribeiro, Ryan Johansen, James Neal
COL: Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikkel Boedker, Jarome Iginla, Matt Duchene, Tyson Barrie
Calgary Flames at Pittsburgh Penguins – 03:00 PM EST
| Calgary Flames | Pittsburgh Penguins | ||||||||
 | Joni Ortio |  | Marc-Andre Fleury | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 26-34-4 | 33-22-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.67 | 3.14 | 16.20% | 73.40% | Team Stats | 2.68 | 2.49 | 18.40% | 83.70% |
I really wish I didn’t have to write up the Calgary Flames, but in this business you have to give a fair attempt at looking for information that can be helpful in the roster construction process. Since the trade of Jiri Hudler even Johnny Gaudreau hasn’t found the scoresheet over the last two games and to make matters worse, both Gaudreau and Sean Monahan now play on different lines. That’s not to say that they aren’t decent GPP plays but when you have players like Michael Ferland and Joe Colbourne on the second line with Monahan it really isn’t that appealing. On defense both Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie man the points on a power play unit that has scored 11 goals with the man advantage over the last 13 games. The only way Pittsburgh loses this one is if they are looking past this game to their game tomorrow in New Jersey.
The Penguins have scored 16 goals over the last four games with everyone on the top two lines at least grabbing a goal, an assist and four points over that time frame. You can also add defenseman Kris Letang to that list as he has snared two goals and two assists in the last four games. You can expect the Penguins to be the highest owned team in the four-game early slate and maybe even in the all-day slate games for cash. Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist make up the team’s top line with Hornqvist leading the way with five goals and two assists in the last four games. Evgeni Malkin has returned and picked up right where he left off as he and Carl Hagelin have two goals and two assists each in the last four games. The suspicious statistic here is that Phil Kessel has only one goal but has dished out three assists over the last four games as he is not known for his passing as he still shoots the puck three or more times a game. Pittsburgh should have a field day today so pick a line and go with it.
Elite Plays
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau
PIT: Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang
Secondary Plays
CGY: Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie
PIT: Chris Kunitz, Phil Kessel, Carl Hagelin
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings – 04:00 PM EST
| Anaheim Ducks | Los Angeles Kings | ||||||||
 | John Gibson |  | Jonathan Quick | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 36-19-8 | 38-21-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.51 | 2.29 | 23.00% | 86.70% | Team Stats | 2.63 | 2.27 | 21.50% | 81.40% |
If the Anaheim Ducks are going to continue their ten game winning streak they might have to do it without star forward Ryan Getzlaf who was a late scratch Thursday night with a ‘lower body ailment’. This of course had the Ducks lines jumbled up a bit as Corey Perry skated on the top line with Rickard Rakell and Jamie McGinn in their 5-1 win over Arizona. Unfortunately the Ducks do not play the Coyotes tonight but the Los Angeles Kings who will be looking for a little revenge from last week’s game won by the Ducks 4-2 back in Anaheim. Perry leads the team with 28 goals and at the very least even if Getzlaf is out, makes a nice one-off play on the early slate. Perry has collected five goals and eight points in the last three games and will no doubt be covered most of the afternoon. Your GPP line would be the second line which features David Perron and Ryan Kesler. Perron has three points in the last five games while Kesler may be heating up as he tallied two assists last game. On defense Sami Vatanen has grabbed 11 points in his last ten games while Cam Fowler brings a four game point streak into this afternoon’s contest. The Kings do not give up too many goals making this game a bit tougher especially if Getzlaf is out.
The Kings look to avenge their only loss in the last six games that came at the hands of tonight’s opponents the Anaheim Ducks. Their 3 goals against Montreal the other night was the first time they had scored more than two goals in any of the last nine games so it’s pretty evident they will have to keep playing the tight checking game that has become their hallmark over the past few seasons. Anze Kopitar and Tyler Toffoli skate on the top line and join Jeff carter to form the team’s top power play unit. Kopitar leads the way with six goals and seven points in his last ten games while both Toffoli and Carter have found the scoresheet four and five times respectively over that same time period. Although Tanner Pearson doesn’t get the top power play minutes he has still benefitted from playing next to Carter on the second line as he has found the back of the net four times in the last three games. Pearson obviously makes a decent one-off play on this short four game slate. Drew Doughty is the choice on defense as he comes in with seven points over the last ten games. Jake Muzzin could be a cheaper option here but his four points in the last ten games pales just a bit to Doughty.
h3. Elite Plays
ANA: Corey Perry
LAK: Anze Kopitar
Secondary Plays
ANA: Rickard Rakell, Jamie McGinn, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, David Perron
LAK: Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Drew Doughty
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins – 07:00 PM EST
| Washington Capitals | Boston Bruins | ||||||||
 | Braden Holtby |  | Tuukka Rask | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 47-13-4 | 36-23-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.23 | 2.31 | 24.10% | 84.20% | Team Stats | 3.03 | 2.72 | 21.70% | 81.90% |
The Washington Capitals continue to be the best team in the league as they have 13 points more than any other team in the league and with a win today will be the first team with 100 points. The Capitals are coming in off a tough 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on home ice last night as they start their longest road trip of the season. If it’s playing on back-to-back nights that you are worried about, don’t be. Washington is a stellar 8-3 after playing a game the night before and should be able to score tonight. Alexander Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom get the majority of the minutes together on the team’s top power play and make a formidable play on most nights but tonight we may want to take a closer look at the second line. Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the team in scoring and has netted five goals to go along with five assists in the last ten games while Andre Burakovsky has cooled off a bit as he has managed four points over the last seven games. Justin Williams completes the second line while third liner Marcus Johansson would seem to make a good one-off play as he skates on the top power play line with Ovechkin and Company. Neither player has been lighting it up of late so maybe the play here is Kuznetsov as a one-off and move on. With the news of John Carlson being on the shelf for a few weeks with a lower body injury expect defenseman Matt Niskanen to get all the ice team he can handle back at the point on the power play.
Barring a total collapse it appears that the Boston Bruins have put themselves in a good spot to participate in this year’s end of the season tournament. Their 36-23-6 record has them in third place in the Atlantic division which has a lot of nay-sayers at the beginning of the season eating their words. Of course they won’t own up to it but as usual, Boston has gelled into a solid gritty team for about the umpteenth time. The top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and newcomer Lee Stempniak is in play here as Bergeron leads the team in points with 56 while Marchand has a team leading 33 goals. Both players have tallied at least nine points over the last ten games while Stempniak registered two assists in just his second game skating next to the ‘dynamic duo’. David Krejci makes a good one-off play here as he skates on the team’s second line but gets the top power play minutes and has kicked in eight points over the last ten games. If it’s value you are looking for Loui Eriksson and Ryan Spooner play on the third line but also get the top power play minutes. Spooner has collected four points over the last four games while Eriksson has hit a wall of sorts as he tallied his first point over the last five games against Chicago on Thursday night. Torey Krug is the choice on defense by virtue of scoring eight of his 32 points over the last ten games. Although Philip Grubauer starts for Washington I would still use some caution here against one of the best defensive teams in the league.
Elite Plays
WSH: Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov
BOS: Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand
Secondary Plays
WSH: Nicklas Backstron, Matt Niskanen, T.J. Oshie, Andre Burakovsky
BOS: Torey Krug, David Krejci, Loui Eriksson, Ryan Spooner