NHL Grind Down: Thursday, December 8th - Page Two
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Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Florida Panthers | ||||||||
 | Matt Murray |  | Roberto Luongo | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 16-7-3 | 12-11-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.31 | 3.04 | 18.00% | 76.30% | Team Stats | 2.33 | 2.52 | 12.90% | 84.50% |
The Penguins put up a snowman against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night and have won three straight games to widen their lead in the Metropolitan Division. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both fully healthy, Pittsburgh looks more than able to defend their Stanley Cup championship this season. With that said, they haven’t played all that well on the road this season as they own just a 5-5-2 record away from the PPG Paints Arena. Tonight, Pittsburgh will look to push the pace as much as possible but they’ll face resistance from a defensively sound Panthers club that will try to slow things down and grind their way to two points. This is not ideal for Pittsburgh, but they simply have too much firepower to ignore. Sidney Crosby has scored a team high 17 goals and is joined by Patric Hornqvist and Conor Sheary on the top forward line. Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have combined for 19 goals and 26 assists in 26 games this season and join forces on the second line along with the speedy Carl Hagelin. Both lines are certainly capable of multi-goal outings on a nightly basis and are in play in all formats this evening. On defense, Kris Letang is starting to heat back up and now has picked up assists in each of the last three games. He quarterbacks their lethal #1 power-play unit, averages north of 25 minutes of ice-time per game, and has averaged 3.29 shots/game.
After winning the Atlantic Division last season, it’s been a disastrous start to the season for the Florida Panthers. They made the unpopular decision to fire coach Gerard Gallant last week and the team has not responded very well as they’ve now dropped five of their last six games. It’s tough to trust them too heavily in cash games at this point, but Pittsburgh is prone to playing in some shootouts, so they do warrant plenty of attention. Jonathan Marchessault actually leads the Panthers with 19 points this season, but he missed Tuesday’s game with a lower body injury and his status for tonight is still unclear. Assuming he’ll be out of action again, Aleksander Barkov looks set to center Reilly Smith and the ageless Jaromir Jagr on the team’s top forward line. Barkov has lit the lamp in each of the last two games and has averaged almost five shots on goal in four games during the month of December. Alternatively, the duo of Jussi Jokinen and Vincent Trocheck have shown plenty of offensive upside in the past and likely won’t be targeted very heavily at all, making them very interesting GPP options. Keith Yandle played through an injury on Tuesday night and seems likely to be back in action tonight after logging nearly 24 minutes on his injured foot. The injury is a concern, but as long as he’s in the lineup he joins Aaron Ekblad as the two blue-liners you’ll want to target. Ekblad and Yandle both see a heavy workload with the man advantage which does bode well for them against Pittsburgh’s troubling 76.3% penalty kill.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.1 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 11, 119.99 CP60
Elite Options
Sidney Crosby ($9,200 FD, $8,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 76.63 CF60, 4.01 xGF60, 99.36 PDO
Evgeni Malkin ($8,400 FD, $7,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.67 CF60, 3.07 xGF60, 102.87 PDO
Phil Kessel ($7,500 FD, $6,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.58 CF60, 2.37 xGF60, 105.05 PDO
Kris Letang ($7,300 FD, $6,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.29 CF60, 3.41 xGF60, 97.88 PDO
Secondary Options
Patric Hornqvist ($7,300 FD, $7,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 75.89 CF60, 4.53 xGF60, 100.06 PDO
Carl Hagelin ($4,800 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.26 CF60, 2.93 xGF60, 101.45 PDO
Conor Sheary ($4,600 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 69.61 CF60, 3.88 xGF60, 103.01 PDO
Justin Schultz ($3,600 FD, $3,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.99 CF60, 3.31 xGF60, 102.08 PDO
Expected Netminder
Marc-Andre Fleury – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Florida Panthers
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.53 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -9, 106.65 CP60
Elite Options
Aleksander Barkov ($6,500 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.43 CF60, 2.29 xGF60, 99 PDO
Secondary Options
Jaromir Jagr ($5,200 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.86 CF60, 2.58 xGF60, 99.9 PDO
Reilly Smith ($4,900 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.6 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 97.01 PDO
Vincent Trocheck ($5,800 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.41 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 94.16 PDO
Keith Yandle ($5,400 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.49 CF60, 2.28 xGF60, 100.08 PDO
Aaron Ekblad ($5,600 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.4 CF60, 2.15 xGF60, 95.41 PDO
Expected Netminder
Roberto Luongo – My Ratings (out of 10): 6 Cash, 7 GPP
New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets
| New York Rangers | Winnipeg Jets | ||||||||
 | Antti Raanta |  | Connor Hellebuyck | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 17-9-1 | 13-13-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.59 | 2.52 | 21.00% | 84.00% | Team Stats | 2.62 | 2.90 | 15.50% | 80.00% |
The New York Rangers will take the ice tonight sitting as the highest scoring team in the NHL (3.59 goals per game). They’ll head to Winnipeg for tonight’s game against a defensively challenged Jets hockey club (2.90 goals against per game). These two things combined will likely make them rather popular selections this evening, and while I’ll certainly grab some exposure, there are reasons to keep your expectations reasonably in check. Their goal totals are a bit over-inflated thanks to their red-hot start to the season and their NHL high 103.61 PDO hints their goal scoring regression will likely continue to some degree. Some injuries up-front have thinned out New York’s forward depth a bit (which may be a good thing since this team already has 14 players that have reached double-digit points), but Alain Vigneault still has two very dangerous scoring lines at his disposal. Derek Stepan is set to center Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello on the top forward line and #1 power-play unit. Meanwhile J.T. Miller actually leads the team with 20 points and it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out with him, Jimmy Vesey and Kevin Hayes now that RIck Nash is slated to be out of action for a week. This will be a situation to monitor after the morning skate as it could produce some fine value this evening. With the Winnipeg Jets having committed the second most minor penalties in the NHL this season, the New York power-play should be busy this evening. With that in mind, Ryan McDonagh shoots up my rankings on the blue-line. He’s just recently potted his first goal of the season and is locked in as the quarterback of the #1 power-play unit.
Just as Winnipeg seemed to be turning the corner, they coughed up a lead and ultimately lost in a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday evening. Tonight, they’ll look to get back on track as the New York Rangers invade the noisy MTS Centre where Winnipeg owns a solid 8-5-1 record this season. Up-front, the story to monitor is the health of Mark Scheifele. The 23 year-old former first round pick leads the team with 26 points in 26 games but is status is still uncertain after he’s missed the last three games due to an undisclosed injury. Operating under the assumption Schiefele will be out of action once again, Bryan Little will scoot up to center the lethal young tandem of Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine, leaving Blake Wheeler to skate between Mathieu Perreault and Drew Stafford on the “second” line. With 17 goals on the season, Patrik Laine is currently tied with Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead and he’s been red-hot lately with five goals and a pair of assists over the last five games. On defense, Dustin Byfuglien remains a unique option on the blue-line. The converted forward averages nearly 28 minutes of ice-time per game and jumps into the play offensively as often as any defenseman in the league. He’s racked up 19 points and 80 shots on goal through 29 games this season and is a fine play in all game formats.
New York Rangers
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 46.13 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 15, 109.08 CP60
Elite Options
Rick Nash ($6,700 FD, $6,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.86 CF60, 2.86 xGF60, 98.53 PDO
Derek Stepan ($5,900 FD, $6,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 49.68 CF60, 2.71 xGF60, 104.05 PDO
Ryan McDonagh ($5,300 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51 CF60, 2.92 xGF60, 103.7 PDO
Secondary Options
J.T. Miller ($5,500 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 49.32 CF60, 2.78 xGF60, 105.96 PDO
Mats Zuccarello ($5,600 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.24 CF60, 2.87 xGF60, 100.06 PDO
Kevin Hayes ($5,200 FD, $5,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 45.04 CF60, 2.54 xGF60, 109.21 PDO
Brady Skjei ($4,000 FD, $3,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.08 CF60, 2.41 xGF60, 101.46 PDO
Expected Netminder
Henrik Lundqvist – My Ratings (out of 10): 7 Cash, 7.5 GPP
Winnipeg Jets
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 48.88 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -8, 103.58 CP60
Elite Options
Patrik Laine ($7,500 FD, $7,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 49.26 CF60, 2.17 xGF60, 103.94 PDO
Dustin Byfuglien ($6,600 FD, $6,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.17 CF60, 2.52 xGF60, 97.8 PDO
Secondary Options
Blake Wheeler ($7,400 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.03 CF60, 2.8 xGF60, 98.18 PDO
Nikolaj Ehlers ($6,600 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.44 CF60, 2.52 xGF60, 101.02 PDO
Bryan Little ($5,600 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.41 CF60, 3.02 xGF60, 110.53 PDO
Expected Netminder
Connor Hellebuyck – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars
| Nashville Predators | Dallas Stars | ||||||||
 | Pekka Rinne |  | Antti Niemi | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 12-9-4 | 10-11-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.00 | 2.68 | 22.00% | 81.30% | Team Stats | 2.48 | 3.22 | 18.00% | 77.70% |
Nashville snapped out of a two game losing streak with an important 4-3 victory against Colorado on Tuesday and will head out on a quick two game road trip trying to climb their way back into the top half of the Central Division. Tonight, they have a fine matchup awaiting them as they square off against a Dallas team that has allowed an NHL worst 3.22 goals against per game but they’ll need to get overcome their road struggles (3-7-2 record) sooner rather than later if they want to keep pace with the likes of the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. Nashville did roll to a 5-2 victory over the Stars when they squared off last month and James Neal return gives them three dangerous scoring lines. That depth is great news for Peter Laviolette but can be frustrating from a fantasy perspective when targeting the Predators. For that reason, this looks like a great spot to target the Nashville power-play as Dallas has also struggled mightily with their penalty kill (77.7% PK). Ryan Johansen is tied for the team lead with 17 points and centers the top power-play unit alongside forwards James Neal, Mike Fisher and Filip Forsberg with Roman Josi running the show from the blue-line. The second unit has a bit less fire power (P.K. Subban aside), but does introduce a ton of value as forwards Colin Wilson, Mike Ribeiro, Kevin Fiala and Craig Smith are all very reasonably priced across the industry.
After winning the Central Division last season, it’s been a dreadful start for the Dallas Stars this time around as they’ll enter tonight owning an unsightly 10-11-6 record and have only won consecutive games once all season. With the division rival Nashville Predators coming to Dallas, the Stars really need to find a way to secure two points this evening. Offensively, it all starts with the duo of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the top forward line. Seguin leads the way with 27 points in 27 games and Benn trails just a bit behind with 21 points of his own. WIth that said, Lindy Ruff looks to be tinkering with his lines once again and it appears that he’s at least temporarily decided to split them up at even strength. This is a small blow to both of their fantasy outlooks but it does create some value opportunities for their new linemates like Antoine Roussel, Patrick Eaves, and Radek Faska. Benn and Seguin still do join forces on the #1 power-play unit where they also grab some exposure to the talented Jason Spezza. On the point of that power-play you can find John Klingberg. Klingberg has been in Ruff’s doghouse the last couple of weeks, but he logged well over 27 minutes of ice-time in their last game and offers plenty of offensive upside.
Nashville Predators
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 51.97 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 10, 115.33 CP60
Elite Options
Filip Forsberg ($6,600 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.54 CF60, 2.53 xGF60, 101.51 PDO
Ryan Johansen ($6,600 FD, $6,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 68.78 CF60, 2.78 xGF60, 102.52 PDO
P.K. Subban ($6,700 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.52 CF60, 2.9 xGF60, 98.62 PDO
Roman Josi ($6,800 FD, $6,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.92 CF60, 2.72 xGF60, 100.96 PDO
Secondary Options
Mike Ribeiro ($4,900 FD, $3,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.98 CF60, 2.99 xGF60, 102.84 PDO
Kevin Fiala ($3,600 FD, $4,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.11 CF60, 2.75 xGF60, 97.61 PDO
Craig Smith ($4,600 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 66.24 CF60, 2.75 xGF60, 103.42 PDO
Mike Fisher ($4,700 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.42 CF60, 2.38 xGF60, 93.8 PDO
Expected Netminder
Pekka Rinne – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7.5 GPP
Dallas Stars
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.08 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -9, 116.36 CP60
Elite Options
Tyler Seguin ($8,400 FD, $7,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.92 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 96.51 PDO
Jamie Benn ($8,200 FD, $7,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.27 CF60, 2.22 xGF60, 99.17 PDO
Secondary Options
Jason Spezza ($6,200 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.45 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 91.55 PDO
Patrick Eaves ($5,300 FD, $5,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.97 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 95.92 PDO
Antoine Roussel ($3,800 FD, $3,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61 CF60, 2.66 xGF60, 100.84 PDO
John Klingberg ($4,800 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.52 CF60, 2.36 xGF60, 98.6 PDO
Expected Netminder
Antti Niemi – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6 GPP
Calgary Flames at Arizona Coyotes
| Calgary Flames | Arizona Coyotes | ||||||||
 | Chad Johnson |  | Mike Smith | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 14-13-2 | 8-13-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.45 | 2.83 | 13.50% | 78.30% | Team Stats | 2.20 | 3.16 | 14.90% | 80.20% |
It’s not often that we get to comfortably roster players from Calgary or Arizona in cash games, but with these two defensively inept teams squaring off tonight, they’re both firmly in play this evening. Expectations for a bounce-back season were fairly high in Calgary at the start of the season, but an ugly 5-10-1 start to the season and an injury to star Johnny Gaudreau had hockey fans in Southern Alberta rather irritated. However, things are suddenly turning around for Glen Gulutzan as his Flames team has now won four straight games to push their record to 9-3-1 over their last 13 and just saw Johnny Hockey return to the lineup ahead of schedule. With the Coyotes allowing an ugly 3.16 goals against per game this season and allowing an NHL worst 11.11 SCA60, Calgary’s offense should continue to roll this evening but predicting the source of the scoring has been tricky. Calgary already has 13 players with double-digit points this season and their balanced scoring attack can be a bit of a headache for fantasy players. However, Johnny Gaudreau is the top offensive weapon on this team as he’s posted seven goals and eight assists in 19 games this season. With the Flames five-on-five forward lines still in a state of flux, targeting the Calgary power-play looks like the safest move tonight as the Coyotes also own an ugly 80.2% penalty kill. Sean Monahan and Troy Brouwer (and likely Kris Versteeg) join Gaudreau up-front on the top power-play unit. On defense, Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton look like elite options this evening. All three players are locked into heavy minutes and see plenty of run on the point of the power-play but as you can see below, Hamilton’s advanced stats are the most impressive of the bunch.
Unlike Calgary, Arizona has not rebounded from their poor start to the season but instead find themselves riding a five game losing streak. They’re battling the Colorado Avalanche for the worst record in the NHL and their defense has been laughable for the vast majority of the season. However, with neither of the two main sites factoring in plus/minus, their poor defense doesn’t impact their fantasy output. They do have some offensive weapons that have flashed plenty of upside at times this season and tonight’s home matchup against a Calgary Flames team that has allowed 2.83 goals against per game while also sporting an ugly 78.3% penalty kill. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is the top fantasy option on this team and becomes one of my defensive plays on the whole slate. He’s been a bit quiet this season by his standards but has still racked up 13 points in 25 games and torched Calgary for three goals and a pair of assists in their four meetings last season. Up-front, the trio of Tobias Rieder, Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata team up on the top forward line and #2 power-play unit. Vrbata leads the team with 17 points on the young season and can approach value at his reasonable price based on his shot volume alone. Meanwhile, youngsters Max Domi and Christian Dvorak have been ice-cold lately but figure to be a big part of this organization’s plans going forward. They both see plenty of run with the man-advantage and are very intriguing GPP options thanks to their dirt-cheap price-tags.
Calgary Flames
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.47 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -2, 109.14 CP60
Elite Options
Johnny Gaudreau ($7,400 FD, $6,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.2 CF60, 2.25 xGF60, 98.04 PDO
Sean Monahan ($6,500 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.52 CF60, 2.28 xGF60, 99.56 PDO
Mark Giordano ($6,100 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.25 CF60, 2.3 xGF60, 102.16 PDO
Dougie Hamilton ($5,400 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.06 CF60, 2.86 xGF60, 98.58 PDO
Secondary Options
Sam Bennett ($4,600 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.46 CF60, 2.01 xGF60, 99.27 PDO
Kris Versteeg ($3,800 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.79 CF60, 1.92 xGF60, 108.56 PDO
Troy Brouwer ($4,800 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.02 CF60, 1.86 xGF60, 101.03 PDO
T.J. Brodie ($4,200 FD, $4,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 47.22 CF60, 1.77 xGF60, 95.24 PDO
Expected Netminder
Chad Johnson – My Ratings (out of 10): 6 Cash, 7 GPP
Arizona Coyotes
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 44.74 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -16, 117.6 CP60
Elite Options
Martin Hanzal ($5,800 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.8 CF60, 2.08 xGF60, 95.07 PDO
Radim Vrbata ($4,900 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.54 CF60, 2.26 xGF60, 97.12 PDO
Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($5,800 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.3 CF60, 2.05 xGF60, 99.77 PDO
Secondary Options
Shane Doan ($4,400 FD, $4,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.91 CF60, 1.89 xGF60, 102.52 PDO
Tobias Rieder ($4,500 FD, $3,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.26 CF60, 2.18 xGF60, 101.24 PDO
Alex Goligoski ($4,300 FD, $3,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 48.61 CF60, 1.87 xGF60, 100.13 PDO
Expected Netminder
Mike Smith – My Ratings (out of 10): 3.5 Cash, 6 GPP
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings
| Carolina Hurricanes | Los Angeles Kings | ||||||||
 | Michael Leighton |  | Peter Budaj | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 10-10-5 | 13-10-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.28 | 2.52 | 18.70% | 91.30% | Team Stats | 2.60 | 2.56 | 14.10% | 80.20% |
Carolina has not been a source for much fantasy production in recent seasons, but the 2016-17 version of this team seems much more willing to open things up offensively (108.96 CP60). This was on full display last night as they fell just short in a track meet against the Anaheim Ducks. However, it’s a large task to take one of the best puck possession team in the NHL (53.86 CF%) with some potentially tired legs and therefore I’ll only be targeting Carolina in GPPs this evening. Jeff Skinner has been terrific for Carolina this season and enters tonight’s game with nine goals and 12 assists in 25 games this season. He’ll skate alongside Victor Rask and Phil Di Giuseppe on the top line, but is likely staring at the unenviable task of dealing with a full dose of Anze Kopitar stifling defense. This means a bit better matchup for Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen and Lee Stempniak on the second forward line, but they are just too inconsistent for my liking in cash games. On defense, Justin Faulk has struggled this season, but he’s still the top option on Carolina. He picked up an assist and fired seven shots on net last night and has topped 15 goals in each of the last two seasons.
While the Hurricanes were in action last night across town, the Los Angeles Kings have had four days off to sit and think about their 5-4 shootout loss to the Canadiens on Sunday evening. The Kings have been terrific this season at the Staples Center where they own a 9-3-1 record and are understandably heavy favorites by Vegas standards this evening. Offensively, Los Angeles is the prototypical two-headed monster as their top two forward lines are responsible for nearly all of the team’s offense. Jeff Carter leads the charge thus far with 11 goals and ten assists in 25 games. He’ll skate alongside talented forwards Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli both on the top forward line and #1 power-play unit. Anze Kopitar also joins them on that power-play and the superstar should now benefit from once again playing alongside someone with Marian Gaborik offensive skillset. Kopitar has dished out five assists in the last two games and scored three goals in two meetings against the Carolina team last season. On defense, there are three guys in play tonight in all formats. Drew Doughty is the most well known of the three and is fresh off a goal and an assist against Montreal on Sunday. While he’s still likely the most reliable option, both Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez seem to be closing the gap quickly. Martinez actually leads the trio with 14 points in 25 games and his shot blocking abilities (46 blocked shots in 25 games) makes his cheap price-tag look rather enticing.
Carolina Hurricanes
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 52.54 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -9, 108.96 CP60
Elite Options
None
Secondary Options
Jeff Skinner ($6,700 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.77 CF60, 3.17 xGF60, 99.13 PDO
Victor Rask ($5,700 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.8 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 103.03 PDO
Sebastian Aho ($4,200 FD, $4,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.75 CF60, 2.75 xGF60, 96.26 PDO
Justin Faulk ($5,200 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.4 CF60, 3.03 xGF60, 95.84 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cam Ward – My Ratings (out of 10): 5 Cash, 6 GPP
Los Angeles Kings
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 53.87 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 6, 109.72 CP60
Elite Options
Jeff Carter ($7,300 FD, $7,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.43 CF60, 2.44 xGF60, 101.69 PDO
Tyler Toffoli ($6,000 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.52 CF60, 2.62 xGF60, 101.49 PDO
Anze Kopitar ($6,900 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.66 CF60, 3.06 xGF60, 98.7 PDO
Drew Doughty ($5,800 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.31 CF60, 2.44 xGF60, 101.16 PDO
Secondary Options
Marian Gaborik ($5,000 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 77.01 CF60, 5.14 xGF60, 92.08 PDO
Tanner Pearson ($5,100 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.95 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 102.28 PDO
Alec Martinez ($4,500 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.19 CF60, 2.7 xGF60, 96.64 PDO
Jake Muzzin ($4,800 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.64 CF60, 2.59 xGF60, 96.47 PDO
Expected Netminder
Peter Budaj – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP