NHL Grind Down: Thursday, December 29th
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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.
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Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
| Boston Bruins | Buffalo Sabres | ||||||||
 | Tuukka Rask |  | Robin Lehner | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-15-4 | 13-13-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.32 | 2.43 | 13.50% | 86.80% | Team Stats | 2.18 | 2.62 | 22.60% | 73.80% |
The Bruins didn’t look ready to play out of the holiday break and before they could blink they were trailing 3-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Claude Julien did pull his troops together and they played very well down the stretch in that game; ultimately pulling it even at three goals a piece before surrendering a third period goal to leave without a point. Try as you wish to pull some good from that effort, the bottom line is that Boston has now dropped eight of their last 11 games and currently sit holding the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. They’ll finish up their road trip with the front half of a home-and-home series against the Buffalo Sabres, and with a reasonably soft schedule awaiting them over the next two weeks, this could very well be the turning point in their 2016-17 season. Boston has won both prior meetings against this Buffalo team this season and with the Sabres allowing 32.6 shots on goal per game, they are a team I’ll be targeting tonight. Up-front, it’s the top two forward lines that are responsible for nearly all of Boston’s scoring. The trio of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak join each other on both the top forward line and #1 power-play unit and are very dangerous every time they hop over the boards. Bergeron has been eerily quiet to start the season but he’s too talented to be held in check for long, meanwhile Marchand leads the Bruins with 29 points in 37 games and Pastrnak has taken a major step towards NHL stardom this season with 19 goals and seven assists in just 30 games. While those three have carried the offensive load for the vast majority of the season, it’s been David Krejci and David Backes (with Ryan Spooner) rolling lately. On defense, Torey Krug is easily the top target. He’s dished out five assists over the last three games and his shooting percentage (0.9%) is destined to progress towards its career mark of 4.2%. With the Buffalo Sabres owning the NHL’s worst penalty kill, Krug shoots up my rankings on the blue-line.
There’s plenty to be excited about in Buffalo going forward, but injuries have pretty much derailed this 2016-17 campaign before it ever began. Just as they looked to be getting back to near full health, star center Ryan O’Reilly was forced into an emergency appendectomy on Christmas Day and it would be surprising to see him in uniform once again this evening. Buffalo will take the ice tonight sitting tied for last place in the Atlantic Division with an uninspiring 13-13-8 record. Unfortunately, the O’Reilly injury has resulted in Coach Bylsma tinkering with his forward lines in a way that does not look too beneficial from a fantasy perspective. Jack Eichel centers the top forward line, but rather than be flanked by dangerous wingers like Kyle Okposo or Evander Kane, he’s slated to be joined by Marcus Foligno and Matt Moulson. Eichel is talented enough to raise the level of play of his linemates, but this can’t be viewed as a positive change for his offensive production. Likewise, both Evander Kane and Kyle Okposo figure to suffer a bit not having Eichel or O’Reilly create space and feed them the puck. Throw in the fact that Eichel will likely be seeing a full dose of the pesky defense from Bergeron/Marchand, and I’m this situation is tilting towards GPP-only territory. On defense, Rasmus Ristolainen might just be my favorite cash game target from the Sabres. The 22 year-old actually leads the team with 24 points and his tremendous shot blocking abilities make him one of the more consistent fantasy producers in the league.
Boston Bruins
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 55.19 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -1, 113.76 CP60
Elite Options
Brad Marchand ($6,700 FD, $6,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 71.81 CF60, 2.94 xGF60, 98.06 PDO
David Pastrnak ($6,800 FD, $6,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 71.99 CF60, 3.12 xGF60, 102.54 PDO
Torey Krug – 16-17 Metrics – 67.68 CF60, 2.53 xGF60, 97.8 PDO
Secondary Options
Patrice Bergeron ($6,300 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 69.26 CF60, 2.53 xGF60, 97.44 PDO
David Krejci ($5,800 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.65 CF60, 2.54 xGF60, 96.91 PDO
David Backes ($5,600 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.02 CF60, 2.76 xGF60, 98.3 PDO
Expected Netminder
Tuukka Rask – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Buffalo Sabres
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 48.27 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -6, 107.38 CP60
Elite Options
Rasmus Ristolainen ($6,200 FD, $5,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.42 CF60, 2.44 xGF60, 100.06 PDO
Secondary Options
Jack Eichel ($7,300 FD, $7,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.74 CF60, 1.98 xGF60, 103.95 PDO
Evander Kane ($6,300 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.89 CF60, 2.29 xGF60, 97.17 PDO
Kyle Okposo ($6,000 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.61 CF60, 2.58 xGF60, 100.08 PDO
Sam Reinhart ($5,500 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.77 CF60, 2.57 xGF60, 101.13 PDO
Expected Netminder
Robin Lehner – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals
| New Jersey Devils | Washington Capitals | ||||||||
 | Cory Schneider |  | Braden Holtby | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 13-15-7 | 20-9-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.29 | 3.00 | 15.70% | 81.90% | Team Stats | 2.70 | 2.12 | 18.30% | 85.30% |
After being easily swept aside in both meetings of a home-and-home series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New Jersey Devils have now dropped nine of their last ten games and own just a 4-12-4 record since their impressive 9-3-3 start to the season. Tonight they’ll head to our Nation’s capital to open another brutal home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals. There are plenty of “Red-Flags” here so let’s just touch on a couple; 1) New Jersey is averaging just 2.08 goals per game during the month of December, 2) the Devils are the one of the slowest paced teams in the NHL this season (104.83 CP60), 3) Washington has allowed just 2.12 goals against per game this season (1.92 GA/G at home), and 4) Braden Holtby is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. With 23 other teams taking the ice tonight, this just looks like a very easy fade in cash games. With Taylor Hall ruled out for tonight’s game, this is the easiest fade on the board.
Barry Trotz was disappointed with his team’s effort in their 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday, but he does look to have this team playing much more like the version that brought home the President’s Trophy last season. Washington has posted a 7-2-1 record over their last ten games and own a rock solid 12-5-0 record at the Verizon Center. As mentioned above, they’ll face a struggling New Jersey team that has allowed a troubling 3.69 goals against per game thus far during the month of December which makes Washington likely a rather popular team to target this evening. Obviously, looking at the Washington offense has to start with Alex Ovechkin. He’s lit the lamp in each of the last two games and now owns 16 goals, ten assists and 134 shots on goal in 33 games this season. The Russian sniper has topped 50 goals in each of the last three seasons and is one of the safest cash game plays on the board this evening. He’ll be joined by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams on the top forward line where both players benefit from the added open ice that Ovechkin creates. Meanwhile, Nicklas Backstrom headlines the second scoring line alongside T.J. Oshie and Marcus Johansson and all three forwards also have the luxury of joining forces with Ovechkin on the #1 power-play unit. It’s worth noting that both Ovechkin and Backstrom have posted some very impressive offensive numbers at the Verizon Center this season with gives them a bit more fantasy appeal if you were for some reason on the fence. On defense, John Carlson soaks up nearly all of the available time on the point of that lethal #1 power-play unit, and that makes him the top option. He’s turned things up offensively lately with three goals and six assists over his last 11 games and scored a goal and added a pair of assists against New Jersey in their four meetings last season. Alternatively, both Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen have both been producing quite well lately and are fine options if you’re searching for some salary relief.
New Jersey Devils
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.27 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -22, 104.83 CP60
Elite Options
None
Secondary Options
Adam Henrique ($5,000 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.17 CF60, 2.39 xGF60, 99.62 PDO
Travis Zajac ($4,800 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.66 CF60, 2.25 xGF60, 99.52 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cory Schneider – My Ratings (out of 10): 4.5 Cash, 6 GPP
Washington Capitals
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.24 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 16, 109.93 CP60
Elite Options
Alex Ovechkin ($8,800 FD, $8,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.21 CF60, 2.56 xGF60, 102.23 PDO
Justin Williams ($5,000 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.46 CF60, 3.05 xGF60, 97.27 PDO
Nicklas Backstrom ($6,600 FD, $6,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.88 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 102.01 PDO
John Carlson ($5,800 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.95 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 100.45 PDO
Secondary Options
Evgeny Kuznetsov ($6,400 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.56 CF60, 2.43 xGF60, 102.9 PDO
T.J. Oshie ($6,600 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.24 CF60, 2.6 xGF60, 105.7 PDO
Matt Niskanen ($5,000 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.53 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 101.84 PDO
Dmitry Orlov ($4,000 FD, $4,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.88 CF60, 2.78 xGF60, 102.83 PDO
Expected Netminder
Braden Holtby – My Ratings (out of 10): 9 Cash, 8 GPP
Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Tampa Bay Lightning | ||||||||
 | Antoine Bibeau |  | Kristers Gudlevskis | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 14-12-7 | 17-15-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.94 | 2.73 | 19.60% | 83.60% | Team Stats | 2.80 | 2.74 | 23.20% | 79.70% |
It seems unlikely that Mike Babcock has this Toronto team quite ready to make a playoff run this season, but signs of their drastic improvement can be seen every time they take the ice. It wasn’t long ago that they looked completely lost in their own end at times, but they’ve allowed just 1.82 goals against per game in eleven games this month and have now rattled off three straight victories. They’ll head to Tampa with revenge on their mind after dropping a 7-3 decision very early in the season, but this does not seem to be the same Toronto team that they were just two months ago. Mike Babcock has created a very balanced scoring attack, but his stars players are still rising to the top. Auston Matthews continues to impress and will enter tonight’s game owning a team high 28 points in 34 games. His advanced metrics are off the charts and there’s just no reason to believe he’ll be slowing down anytime soon. He likely cost John Cooper some sleep last night, but aside from him there are still two other very dangerous forward lines with Nazem Kadri centering William Nylander and Leo Komarov on one and Tyler Bozak skating alongside James van Riemsdyk and Mitchell Marner on another. The matchup in Tampa is now ideal, but Toronto will certainly push the pace (league high 124.08 CP60) and their offense has been clicking lately. On defense, it’s Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner that deserve your attention. Both players see a very healthy dose of playing time with the man-advantage and both are off to fine starts offensively. If you’re looking for a cost saving option, rookie Nikita Zaitsev looks to be settling into life in the NHL. He’s scored a goal and added four assists over the last eight games and appears locked into 20+ minutes per game at this point.
It’s been a fairly disappointing season in Tampa Bay. First they dealt with a season-ending injury (or close to it) to Steven Stamkos, then they spent the two weeks with Nikita Kucherov. Still, John Cooper has managed to keep this team afloat, and after getting Kucherov and Ondrej Palat back in action on Tuesday, his team responded with a huge victory over the Montreal Canadians. Make no mistake, this team is still very talented and the rest of the Eastern Conference is still hoping they’ll fade away before spring-time, but that seems unlikely if they can remain reasonably healthy. Tampa has posted a solid 10-5-1 record at the Amalie Arena and having Kucherov back in the mix is a game-changer. Kucherov picked up a pair of assists last night and has posted 32 points in 29 games this season. He’ll skate alongside Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson on the top line and those three will be leaned on heavily to carry the load offensively. Alternatively, Jonathan Drouin has battled through injuries of his own, but the talented 21 year-old logged nearly 20 minutes last night and has been wielding a white-hot stick as he’s posted seven goals and six assists in just 11 games this month. On defense, both Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman handle the duties on the point of the Tampa power-play. Hedman sits third among NHL defensemen with 31 points on the young season and he lit the lamp against the Maple Leads in their first meeting this season. While Tampa is definitely playable in cash games, it is worth reminding yourself that the Maple Leafs are not the porous defensive team we’ve grown accustomed to watching over the past several seasons.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 50.4 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 5, 124.08 CP60
Elite Options
Auston Matthews ($7,200 FD, $7,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.5 CF60, 3.46 xGF60, 99.61 PDO
James van Riemsdyk ($7,100 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.92 CF60, 3.25 xGF60, 100.44 PDO
Secondary Options
Mitchell Marner ($5,800 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.1 CF60, 3.16 xGF60, 101.33 PDO
Nazem Kadri ($6,700 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.97 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 98.88 PDO
Tyler Bozak ($5,200 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.95 CF60, 3.46 xGF60, 101.2 PDO
Morgan Rielly ($4,700 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.43 CF60, 3.09 xGF60, 97.95 PDO
Jake Gardiner ($4,800 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 67.17 CF60, 3.47 xGF60, 100.6 PDO
Expected Netminder
Antoine Bibeau – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Tampa Bay Lightning
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 50.1 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -3, 106.59 CP60
Elite Options
Nikita Kucherov ($7,500 FD, $6,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.22 CF60, 2.7 xGF60, 104.2 PDO
Victor Hedman ($6,800 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.96 CF60, 2.38 xGF60, 102.07 PDO
Secondary Options
Tyler Johnson ($5,300 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.85 CF60, 2.37 xGF60, 99.67 PDO
Jonathan Drouin ($6,100 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.3 CF60, 2.52 xGF60, 99.4 PDO
Ondrej Palat ($5,100 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.21 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 100.09 PDO
Anton Stralman ($4,300 FD, $3,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.16 CF60, 2.77 xGF60, 102 PDO
Expected Netminder
Andrei Vasilevskiy – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Montréal Canadiens at Florida Panthers
| Montréal Canadiens | Florida Panthers | ||||||||
 | Al Montoya |  | James Reimer | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-9-4 | 15-14-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.03 | 2.21 | 19.10% | 81.60% | Team Stats | 2.34 | 2.66 | 14.90% | 85.60% |
The Canadiens still sit atop the Atlantic Division, but it hasn’t come all that easy for them lately. Since their ridiculous 13-1-1 start, they’ve posted a very mediocre 8-8-4 record over their last 20 games and they’re now dealing with some key injuries to the likes of David Desharnais, Alex Galchenyuk, Andrew Shaw and Andrei Markov. With both of these teams having played last night and both generally viewed as solid defensive clubs, this doesn’t look like a great game to target on a 12 game slate. With that said, Max Pacioretty has been terrific lately and needs to be on your cash game radar. He’s scored nine goals and added four assists in just 12 games during the month of December and he lit the lamp when these two teams squared off earlier this season. He’ll be joined by Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher on the top forward line and those two have benefited from his play-making abilities. Alternatively, Alexander Radulov joins forces with Pacioretty on the ‘Habs #1 power-play unit and the KHL defector has produced up to the high-standards expected as he’s tallied seven goals and 17 assists in 34 games thus far. On defense, Shea Weber has been terrific with his new team. He’s posted 20 points and unloaded 90 shots on goal in 35 games and has utilized his cannon slap-shot to already rack up eight power-play goals. The Markov injury has opened the door for Jeff Petry to join Weber on the point of that #1 power-play unit and that’s yet to be reflected in his asking-price on most sites.
The Florida Panthers may just be the front runners for the “Most Disappointing Team” award thus far in the 2016-17 season. After winning the Atlantic Division last year, this year has seen them fire their head coach and sputter their way to a 15-14-7 record. While they are slowly getting healthier, it hasn’t done much to change the results. They lost a 3-2 decision in a shootout last night and have now posted 3-4-5 record over their last 12 games. While they do draw a small break tonight in the fact that Carey Price will be given the night off, squaring off against the Canadiens is clearly not an easy task for this offense. Aleksander Barkov has carried the offensive load for this team for the bulk of the season and he headlines the top line alongside Jaromir Jagr and Seth Griffith. Barkov has posted five goals and 12 assists in 17 games at the BB&T Center and has posted seven goals and six assists in 13 games this month. On defense, both Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad see about all of the ice-time they can handle. Neither one has been fantastic offensively this season, but they both have plenty of offensive upside and facilitate things from the point of the Florida power-play. Again, I expect this game to be more of a defensive grind than an offensive shootout and therefore I will be intentionally limiting my exposure here this evening.
Montreal Canadiens
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.94 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 26, 115.86 CP60
Elite Options
Max Pacioretty ($7,300 FD, $6,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 66.75 CF60, 2.89 xGF60, 100.89 PDO
Shea Weber ($6,200 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.1 CF60, 2.62 xGF60, 102.52 PDO
Secondary Options
Brendan Gallagher ($5,700 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 69.05 CF60, 3.27 xGF60, 101.22 PDO
Alexander Radulov ($6,200 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.55 CF60, 2.92 xGF60, 101.7 PDO
Paul Byron ($4,700 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.94 CF60, 3.11 xGF60, 101.88 PDO
Jeff Petry ($5,000 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 69.01 CF60, 3.18 xGF60, 102.74 PDO
Expected Netminder
Al Montoya – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Florida Panthers
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.44 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -15, 109.07 CP60
Elite Options
Aleksander Barkov ($6,900 FD, $6,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.57 CF60, 2.54 xGF60, 100.01 PDO
Secondary Options
Jaromir Jagr ($5,700 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.12 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 100.67 PDO
Vincent Trocheck ($5,500 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.66 CF60, 2.46 xGF60, 94.52 PDO
Jonathan Marchessault ($5,400 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.39 CF60, 2.23 xGF60, 97.72 PDO
Aaron Ekblad ($5,500 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.15 CF60, 2.28 xGF60, 94.8 PDO
Expected Netminder
James Reimer – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
New York Islanders at Minnesota Wild
| New York Islanders | Minnesota Wild | ||||||||
 | Jaroslav Halak |  | Devan Dubnyk | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 14-14-6 | 22-8-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.74 | 3.03 | 13.70% | 79.80% | Team Stats | 3.06 | 1.94 | 17.70% | 86.10% |
After consecutive 100+ points each of the last two years, the Islanders have been one of the most disappointing team in the NHL thus far this season. With that said, they picked up an impressive victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night and are now on their very first three game winning streak of the season. They’ll kick off a four game road trip tonight in Minnesota and they simply have no choice but to quickly solve their road woes (3-7-2 road record) immediately with seven of their next eight games away from Brooklyn. Things certainly won’t come easy tonight for the Islanders as they’ll square off against a Minnesota team that has allowed an NHL low 1.94 goals against per game this season and have a netminder, Devan Dubnyk, who owns an NHL best 1.58 GAA and .947 SV% on the season. John Tavares is easily the Islander’s most dangerous offensive weapon but I’m not even sure he’s a strong cash game option considering Minnesota’s defensive prowess as well as what figures to be a very heavy dose of Zach Parise pestering defense. Anders Lee has recently been given the chance to skate alongside Tavares on the top line and the 26 year-old has responded with eight goals and three assists in the last 11 games. If you’re looking for a contrarian GPP stack, those two offer the most upside. On defense, Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk continue to see the lions share of the work with the man-advantage, but Minnesota also owns an impressive 86.1% penalty kill, which really limits their upside.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have captivated the hockey world lately thanks to their 13 game winning streak, but Minnesota has been just as hot and have no rattled off eleven straight wins of their own. A win tonight could push the Wild into sole possession of first place in the Central Division and Bruce Boudreau will do everything in his power to prevent his team from looking ahead towards Saturday’s clash with the aforementioned Blue Jackets. Minnesota is not typically known for their offensive brand of hockey, but they’ve been clicking on offense lately and have averaged 3.50 goals per game in 12 games this month. Finally at full health, Coach Boudreau has three very capable scoring lines at his disposal but it’s the trio of Zach Parise, Eric Staal and now Jason Pominville that will draw the most attention. Eric Staal has found a second wind with his new team and leads the way with 29 points in 34 games. Meanwhile, Zach Parise remains one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL and has shown some signs of life offensively lately with two goals and two assists over the last five games. Charlie Coyle looks to have been bumped off the first line, but 24 year-old still holds a prominent role on the wing of the top power-play unit and Minnesota’s power-play has clicked at a 25% clip this season on home ice. Ryan Suter remains one of the true workhorses in the NHL. The 12-year veteran is averaging over 27 minutes of ice-time per game this season and has racked up 19 points in 34 games. He quarterback’s the top power-play unit (alongside Mathew Dumba) and is a fine option in all formats this evening especially considering the Islander’s poor 79.8% penalty kill.
New York Islanders
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 46.1 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 6, 119.55 CP60
Elite Options
None
Secondary Options
John Tavares ($8,000 FD, $6,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.58 CF60, 2.87 xGF60, 101.39 PDO
Anders Lee ($4,900 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.71 CF60, 2.8 xGF60, 103.35 PDO
Nick Leddy ($4,800 FD, $4,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.46 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 100.23 PDO
Expected Netminder
Jaroslav Halak – My Ratings (out of 10): 5 Cash, 6 GPP
Minnesota Wild
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.8 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 24, 111.97 CP60
Elite Options
Eric Staal ($6,200 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.99 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 102.42 PDO
Zach Parise ($7,000 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.27 CF60, 2.67 xGF60, 99.28 PDO
Ryan Suter ($5,700 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.2 CF60, 2.43 xGF60, 106.12 PDO
Secondary Options
Charlie Coyle ($5,900 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.24 CF60, 2.56 xGF60, 101.65 PDO
Jason Pominville ($4,700 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.75 CF60, 2.32 xGF60, 100.35 PDO
Mikael Granlund ($5,400 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.98 CF60, 2.37 xGF60, 106.11 PDO
Jason Zucker ($4,700 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.43 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 108.36 PDO
Matt Dumba ($4,900 FD, $4,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.57 CF60, 2.16 xGF60, 104.3 PDO
Expected Netminder
Devan Dubnyk – My Ratings (out of 10): 9 Cash, 9 GPP