NHL Grind Down: Sunday, October 25th
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.
Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets – 06:00 PM EDT
| Minnesota Wild | Winnipeg Jets | ||||||||
 | Devan Dubnyk |  | Ondrej Pavelec | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 46-28 | 43-26 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.77 | 2.41 | 15.80% | 86.30% | Team Stats | 2.72 | 2.49 | 17.80% | 81.80% |
Fresh off of an impressive 3-0 shutout over the Anaheim Ducks, the Wild head across the border to battle the Winnipeg Jets tonight. The Wild are known for their tenacious defense, but it’s also very clear that they have one very dangerous forward line that will draw plenty of attention from the Jets tonight. Zach Parise leads the way with six goals and two assists in the first seven games, and his linemates Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville both benefit greatly from sharing the ice with the star. Mikko Koivu joins those three on the top power-play unit, and with a pair of goals and four assists already this season, he’s a nice value option. Ryan Suter is the fifth member of that dangerous #1 power-play and is logging nearly 26 minutes per game this season. He’s not the flashiest option on the blueline, but his consistency and guaranteed ice-time makes him a rock solid cash game option.
The Wild have dropped two straight games (against St. Louis and Tampa Bay) and unfortunately for them, the grueling start to their 2015-16 just continues tonight when the Minnesota Wild invade the MTS Centre. Winnipeg finally pushed themselves into the postseason last year, and with some new young talent added and another year of seasoning, they look to certainly be back in the mix once again here. The Ladd/Little/Wheeler line is dynamic and carried this team last season and are fine options despite the tough matchup on this three-game slate. A pair of first-round draft picks in Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers have paired up with Mathieu Perreault to finally give this team what looks to be a very reliable secondary scoring line. With Zach Parise likely trying to lock down that top line, it’s that second line that has the more favorable matchup tonight. Dustin Byfuglien is one of the most offensively minded defensemen in the league and remains an elite play on the blue-line if you can afford him. With Darcy Kuemper drawing the start in the second half of back-to-back games for the Wild, everyone on the Jets sees a small fantasy boost.
Elite Plays
MIN: Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Ryan Suter
WPG: Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little, Dustin Byfuglien
Secondary Plays
MIN: Mikko Koivu, Thomas Vanek. Mikael Granlund
WPG: Andrew Ladd, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mathieu Perreault, Tobias Enstrom
Calgary Flames at New York Rangers – 07:00 PM EDT
| Calgary Flames | New York Rangers | ||||||||
 | Jonas Hiller |  | Henrik Lundqvist | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 45-30 | 53-22 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.89 | 2.60 | 18.80% | 80.60% | Team Stats | 3.02 | 2.28 | 16.80% | 84.30% |
The Flames finally ended a four-game losing streak with some last minute heroics against the Red Wings on Friday, but things are about to get tough for them with back-to-back games in New York City. Coach Hartley’s experiment to break up his dynamic top line appears to be over, which is terrific news for Jiri Hudler as he’s slated to jump back onto the wings of the top line containing Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau continues to launch himself toward NHL stardom as the small forward has already posted a goal and eight assists through the first seven games. Even on a short night, these are the only three Calgary forwards I’ll be considering for cash games. While the fantasy options up front for Calgary are a bit limited, there are four solid choices on the blueline. Mark Giordano was on his way to winning the scoring title (among defenseman) last season before his injury, but he’s healthy again and has scored three goals and added an assist in the last two games. He’s an elite option despite the tough matchup, with Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell all fine secondary options. The Flames overall fantasy outlook is much brighter with Henrik Lundqvist scheduled to get the night off.
The New York Rangers are the night’s biggest favorite by Vegas standards, and that will surely make them awfully popular tonight. Last year’s President’s Trophy winners are off to a solid 5-2-2 start but should be hungry for two points after losing in a shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers last night. They defeated this Calgary team in both meetings last season and posted a 25-11-5 record at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are a deep hockey club, but it’s not a secret that their offense runs directly through Rick Nash. While he’s been oddly quiet to start the season, Nash posted 42 goals last season and remains one of the most lethal snipers in the league. He’s joined by Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello on the top line, with both of those guys actually putting up nice offensive numbers to start the season. Ryan McDonagh may be the heart of the Rangers defensive unit, it’s Keith Yandle that deserves most of the fantasy attention. He’s one of the best breakout passers in the league, logs huge minutes on the point of the #1 power-play unit, and has already scored a goal and dished out four assists on the young season.
Elite Plays
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Jiri Hudler, Mark Giordano
NYR: Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello, Keith Yandle
Secondary Plays
CGY: Mikael Backlund, Dennis Wideman, Dougie Hamilton
NYR: Chris Kreider, Derick Brassard, Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers – 09:30 PM EDT
| Los Angeles Kings | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | Jonathan Quick |  | Ben Scrivens | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 40-27 | 24-44 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.66 | 2.40 | 19.00% | 80.90% | Team Stats | 2.35 | 3.37 | 17.70% | 76.70% |
Of all six teams playing tonight, believe it or not, but it’s been the Los Angeles Kings that have played at the fastest pace this season (109.5 CP60). They’re once again an elite team by Corsi standards and have now rattled off four straight wins. They scored a combined 23 goals in their five meetings against the Oilers last season and there’s a lot to like here on a short slate. Offensively, the Kings roll with two very impressive forward groupings. Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik team up on the top line with Jeff Carter flanked by Milan Lucic and Tyler Toffoli on the second. All five of those guys are nice options tonight with Dustin Brown (the third wheel on the Kopitar line) an acceptable secondary option based on opportunity alone. It’s been a slow start to the season for Drew Doughty, but he’s averaging nearly 27 minutes of ice-time per game this season and soaks up big minutes as the quarterback of the King’s #1 power-play unit. He posted 46 points last season and it’s unlikely he’ll stay quiet for long.
Connor McDavid has rejuvenated the fan base in Edmonton, but with an abundance of defensive breakdowns and shaky goaltending, the Oilers still look like they’re going to have some growing pains. With that said, this team is loaded with offensive talent and certainly capable of lighting up the scoreboard on any given night. While they’re still without Jordan Eberle, the top line of Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is still very dangerous. However, they’ll likely be shadowed all over the ice by the defensively stout Anze Kopitar, making life tougher than usual for them here. With that in mind, Connor McDavid should have another chance to shine. He’s already racked up five goals and added three assists through his first eight NHL games and his presence finally looks to be the spark Nail Yakupov (the 1st overall draft pick in 2012) has needed to get going. The Oilers are a bit of a mess on defense, but both Andrej Sekera and Justin Schultz see time on the power-play and have enough offensive upside to be worth consideration tonight.
Elite Plays
LAK: Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty
EDM: Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall
Secondary Plays
LAK: Marian Gaborik, Milan Lucic, Jake Muzzin
EDM: Nail Yakupov, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Benoit Pouliot, Justin Schultz, Andrej Sekera