NHL Grind Down: Saturday, November 7th

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 write-ups 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.

Vancouver Canucks at Buffalo Sabres – 01:00 PM EST

Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres
Article Image Ryan Miller Article Image Robin Lehner
Record Record
6-3 5-8
Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK% Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK%
Team Stats 2.85 2.23 17.50% 88.60% Team Stats 2.15 3.00 21.70% 74.20%


The Vancouver Canucks travel to Buffalo today for a matinee game against the Sabres. Goalie Ryan Miller will start for the Canucks against his former team for the first time in Buffalo and his teammates have been quoted in the media as being well aware of the situation and fired up to win the game for Miller. The Canucks lost to the Penguins 3-2 last time out and are 6-3-4 on the season. Daniel Sedin leads the Canucks in points with 10 in 13 games and will continue to play alongside Radim Vrbata and his brother Henrik Sedin today. The Sabres continue to struggle on the penalty-kill (74.2%) which has contributed significantly to their 3.00 goals against per game. Sedin-Sedin-Vrbata is the highest upside line in play in this game and they are joined on the power-play by Alexander Edler and Yannick Weber, who makes a cheap value play on the point. Though Buffalo is an improved defensive team this season, I expect the Canucks to win this game handily.

The Buffalo Sabres were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-1 on Thursday to bring their record to 5-8-0 on the season. Though impressive rookie Jack Eichel scored his 5th goal in the game, Buffalo Coach Dan Byslma appears to be shuffling the lines for today’s match-up against Vancouver. Bylsma has proven hesitant to put his star players together, instead choosing to send out a balanced lineup. Look to the possible Ryan O’Reilly, Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta combination as the most fantasy-relevant. O’Reilly has quietly put up 13 points in 13 games and is the only consistent producer on this club. Buffalo continues to struggle to score goals, averaging only 2.15 goals per game played, and I fear Ryan Miller will be in the zone for the Canucks today.

Elite Plays

VAN: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Radim Vrbata
BUF: Ryan O’Reilly

Secondary Plays

VAN: Ryan Miller, Alexander Edler, Brandon Sutter
BUF: Matt Moulson, Jack Eichel, Tyler Ennis


Florida Panthers at Los Angeles Kings – 04:00 PM EST

Florida Panthers Los Angeles Kings
Article Image Roberto Luongo Article Image Jonathan Quick
Record Record
5-5 8-5
Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK% Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK%
Team Stats 2.77 2.31 22.90% 78.40% Team Stats 2.38 2.15 18.20% 84.00%


The Florida Panthers continue their tough West Coast road trip this afternoon, facing the Los Angeles Kings in a matinee game. Florida is 0-2-2 over their last 4 games, including recent losses to both San Jose and Anaheim. Florida has continued to struggle in the absence of #1 center Aleksander Barkov, and a match-up against the Kings is far from the ideal spot if you’re looking for a bounce-back performance from the Panthers. The Kings only allow 2.15 goals against per game and typically play structured, physical, defensive hockey on home ice. Given their skill set, Jaromir Jagr and Nick Bjugstad are in play for tournaments as a contrarian option, but I would look away from this Panthers team for reliable fantasy production today.

The Los Angeles Kings lost a hard-fought game to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, but have a great opportunity to rebound against the Panthers today. The Kings have won 8 of their last 10 games. The top line of Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter, and Milan Lucic is wreaking havoc on the opposition with their size and speed. Carter has 13 points in 13 games and Toffoli has 9 goals on the season. LA Coach Darryl Sutter tinkered with the other lines at practice, but (in classic Darryl Sutter fashion) indicated that he’s “not really set on anything.” Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik may not be playing together, but both are highly skilled, underpriced throughout the industry, and due to break out with big games at some point. It is worth noting that the Panthers are mediocre on the penalty-kill (78.4%), which puts both Christian Ehrhoff and Alec Martinez in play as cost-effective options from the blueline. Jonathan Quick is the probable starter for the Kings and makes an elite play in net.

Elite Plays

FLA: None.
LAK: Jonathan Quick, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli

Secondary Plays

FLA: Nick Bjugstad, Jaromir Jagr
LAK: Milan Lucic, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty


Philadelphia Flyers at Winnipeg Jets – 07:00 PM EST

Philadelphia Flyers Winnipeg Jets
Article Image Steve Mason Article Image Ondrej Pavelec
Record Record
4-6 8-4
Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK% Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK%
Team Stats 1.85 3.00 10.50% 78.00% Team Stats 3.00 2.64 20.50% 84.60%


The Philadelphia Flyers have lost the past 6 games (0-4-2) and will look to right the ship tonight against the Winnipeg Jets in the final contest of a 5-game road trip. The Flyers have been a big disappointment to start the year, particularly on the offensive side of the puck where they have struggled substantially. The Flyers are averaging 1.85 goals for per game despite a highly talented forward group that includes Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Wayne Simmonds. The Philadelphia power-play was third in the league last year at 23%, but is only converting at a 10.5% rate so far this season. I know I’m not the only one who has continuously played Giroux and Voracek (and power-play quarterback Mark Streit) in tournaments this season only to be burned again and again. We are about a 6th of the way through the season and it might be time to stop chasing points from this Philly offense, despite their potential. The match-up against an improved Winnipeg team isn’t great and the MTS Centre is a notoriously difficult place to play on the road.

The Winnipeg Jets lost to the Ottawa Senators in a shootout on Thursday to bring their record to an impressive 8-4-2 on the young season. Coming into the year, it was clear Winnipeg had a talented offensive core, but there were huge question marks on the blueline and in net. Thus far, the defense has been solid for the Jets and both Michael Hutchinson and Ondrej Pavelec have played respectably in net. While the goaltending numbers may see some regression over the year, it appears this Jets team is for real. Blake Wheeler, who continues to play alongside Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd, leads the club with 17 points in 14 games. The second line of Nikolaj Ehlers, Mark Scheifele, Mathieu Perreault has been impressive as well, with each player notching more than 9 points on the year. Dustin Byfuglien has goals in back-to-back games and is in a great spot to convert again tonight against a lackluster Philadelphia penalty kill (78%).

Elite Plays
PHI: None.
WPG: Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Dustin Byfuglien

Secondary Plays
PHI: Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Mark Streit
WPG: Andrew Ladd, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers


Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals – 07:00 PM EST

Toronto Maple Leafs Washington Capitals
Article Image Jonathan Bernier Article Image Braden Holtby
Record Record
2-8 9-3
Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK% Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK%
Team Stats 2.08 3.08 12.80% 77.80% Team Stats 3.33 2.42 22.90% 86.10%


The Toronto Maple Leafs will play on the back-to-back tonight, as they travel to Washington to face the Capitals. James Reimer is in line to start again tonight, despite playing last night, as Jonathan Bernier is on injured reserve. The Leafs have lost 8 of their last 9 and have struggled desperately to put the puck in the net this season (averaging 2.08 goals scored per game). Defensemen Dion Phaneuf and Morgan Rielly lead the club in points, which is reflective of the struggles the Toronto offense has been facing. The match-up against the Capitals in Washington is quite poor, as the Caps have been playing solid defensive hockey all year and goaltender Braden Holtby has been elite in net. On a large slate like tonight, the Leafs are only in play as extremely contrarian tournament options.

The Washington Capitals host the Maple Leafs tonight and are in a great spot tonight to get their 10th win of the season. Alexander Ovechkin should have some extra motivation tonight as he is 1 goal shy of tying Sergei Fedorov for the most goals by a Russian-born player. Ovi has points in 10 of 11 games this season (7g 7a overall). Linemate Evgeny Kuznetsov continues to pile up the points for the Caps as well (also 14 points on the year) and remains underpriced across the industry. The match-up tonight against Toronto is a great one, as the Leafs allow over 3 goals against per game played and struggle on the penalty-kill (77.8%). John Carlson scored a power-play goal last game and continues to justify his high price, producing at a point-per-game clip. Braden Holtby (2.12 GAA .916 SV%) is an elite play in net on home ice against the Leafs who will be playing on the back-to-back. Holtby is 5-0-0 with a 1.20 GAA this season when he plays with one day between games. Washington played on Thursday.

Elite Plays

TOR: None.
WAS: Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson, Braden Holtby

Secondary Plays

TOR: Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk, Morgan Rielly
WAS: T.J. Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom.


Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes – 07:00 PM EST

Ottawa Senators Carolina Hurricanes
Article Image Craig Anderson Article Image Cam Ward
Record Record
7-4 5-8
Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK% Stats GF/GP GA/GP PP% PK%
Team Stats 2.85 2.85 12.20% 76.00% Team Stats 2.08 2.92 11.60% 80.00%


The Ottawa Senators travel to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes tonight looking to build on their current 2-game winning streak. Ottawa has won 4 of the last 5 and has a 7-4-2 record on the season. Mark Stone will return from suspension tonight and re-join Mike Hoffman and Kyle Turris on a deadly top line. Before Stone’s suspension and Hoffman’s injury, this line was one of the best in the NHL and you should expect them to quickly return to form tonight, facing a Carolina team that will be playing on the back-to-back. Carolina allows just under 3 goals against per game and has a mediocre penalty-kill that halts the opposition at an 80% rate. Erik Karlsson is still goal-less on the year despite 12 assists, but always constitutes a high upside play from the blue line. Look to the second line of Bobby Ryan and Mika Zibanejad as a lower-owned GPP pivot from the Turris line.

The Carolina Hurricanes lost to Dallas last night 4-1 and will be playing back-to-back games as they host the Ottawa Senators tonight. Carolina continues to be a strong possession team, but struggles to put the puck in the net, averaging just 2.08 goals per game this season. The top line is anchored by Eric Staal (13GP 4G 4A) and Kris Versteeg (13 GP 2G 8A) and they are joined on the power-play by stud defenseman Justin Faulk (13GP 4G 3A). Though Ottawa should win this game with ease, they have been allowing 2.85 goals against per game and have struggled on the penalty-kill (76%). Carolina players are undeniably a contrarian move on this slate, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Staal, Versteeg, and Faulk hit the score sheet, potentially on the power-play.

Elite Plays

OTT: Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Erik Karlsson
CAR: Justin Faulk, Eric Staal

Secondary Plays

OTT: Bobby Ryan, Mika Zibanejad, Andrew Hammond
CAR: Kris Versteeg, Victor Rask


Jump to Page 1 2 3

About the Author