NHL Grind Down: Thursday, January 12th - Page Two
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Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars
| Detroit Red Wings | Dallas Stars | ||||||||
 | Petr Mrazek |  | Antti Niemi | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 17-18-6 | 17-17-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.39 | 2.90 | 11.10% | 82.40% | Team Stats | 2.60 | 3.02 | 16.80% | 74.30% |
As a Wings fan, this season has been tough to watch. They’ll wake up today sitting in the cellar of the Atlantic Division and, well, it is what it is. Ken Holland successfully held things together for many years, but this team is clearly in the midst of a rebuild and DFSers need to (and are) taking notice. Despite being severely outplayed for the majority of the game on Tuesday, Detroit did manage to steal a point from Chicago at the United Center and saw a small boost in the health department with both Mike Green and Justin Abdelkader returning to the lineup. Detroit will enter tonight’s action as one of the slowest paced teams in the NHL this season (107.26 CP60) to face one of the most up-tempo teams in the NHL in the Dallas Stars. Jeff Blashill has tinkered with his forward lines repeatedly throughout the season, and the newest combinations have Gustav Nyquist joining Henrik Zetterberg and Anthony Mantha on the top forward line. Zetterberg may no longer be the offensive force he was a decade ago, but he still leads the team with 28 points this season. Meanwhile, Anthony Mantha has emerged as arguably Detroit’s best forward. He’s scored 11 goals and added eight assists in 26 games and he lit the lamp against Dallas the only other time these two teams faced this season. This is obviously great news for Nyquist as long as he can stay on the top line and, despite being eerily quiet lately, he’s shown plenty of offensive upside by twice flirting with 30 goal seasons. Alternatively, the second line of Andreas Athanasiou, Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek has a little bit of everything. They’re not consistent enough for my liking for cash game use, but their reasonable price-tags and likely limited ownership levels make them nice GPP targets. On Defense, Mike Green is the clear #1 option when he’s in the lineup. Green quarterback’s the top power-play unit and was having a fine season prior to his injury (18 points in 33 games). His return puts a dent in the value of rookie Ryan Sproul, but he still sees a healthy dose of playing time with the second power-play unit and remains near the minimum price on most sites.
After a tough three-game road trip, the Dallas Stars will return home tonight and welcome the Detroit Red Wings to American Airlines Center. It’s been a tough season in Dallas as well, and their usually high-flying offense was held in check on Tuesday as they were shut out by the Anaheim Ducks. They should have some more luck tonight as they’ll face a Detroit team that has allowed an ugly 3.41 goals against per game over their last 17 games. With Jamie Benn likely set to miss his fifth straight game (check for news after their morning skate), all eyes will be centered on Tyler Seguin. Seguin has posted 15 goals and 26 assists in 42 games this season and his 149 shots on goal is the forth best mark in the NHL. He’s a top-tier option in all formats and his play-making abilities elevate the games of his linemates, Jiri Hudler and Jason Spezza. Spezza has been far more productive on home ice this season where he owns four goals and 12 assists in 20 games, while Hudler has been a proven goal scorer during his ten year career and has the added motivation of squaring off against his former team. Patrick Eaves and Cody Eakin join Spezza and Seguin on the #1 power-play unit which puts them on the GPP radar and Patrick Sharp is still more than capable of busting out a big performance at any given time (he had a goal and two assists in Los Angeles on Monday). On defense, John Klingberg is the clear #1 option here. He’s re-established himself as the point-man on the #1 power-play unit and owns two goals and two assists in four games this month.
Detroit Red Wings
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 48.06 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -4, 107.26 CP60
Elite Options
Anthony Mantha ($5,700 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.75 CF60, 2.62 xGF60, 103.69 PDO
Secondary Options
Henrik Zetterberg ($6,100 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.69 CF60, 2.57 xGF60, 103.3 PDO
Frans Nielsen ($5,100 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.84 CF60, 2.74 xGF60, 97.43 PDO
Thomas Vanek ($5,900 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.51 CF60, 3.01 xGF60, 104.1 PDO
Gustav Nyquist ($4,500 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.07 CF60, 2.62 xGF60, 101.77 PDO
Mike Green ($5,100 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.41 CF60, 2.23 xGF60, 100.03 PDO
Expected Netminder
Petr Mrazek – My Ratings (out of 10): 5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Dallas Stars
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.53 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 1, 117.75 CP60
Elite Options
Tyler Seguin ($8,600 FD, $7,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.74 CF60, 2.47 xGF60, 99.86 PDO
John Klingberg ($5,800 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.75 CF60, 2.54 xGF60, 101.65 PDO
Secondary Options
Jason Spezza ($6,700 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.16 CF60, 2.43 xGF60, 99.58 PDO
Patrick Sharp ($5,600 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.79 CF60, 2 xGF60, 98.26 PDO
Patrick Eaves ($5,400 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.37 CF60, 2.49 xGF60, 96.55 PDO
Cody Eakin ($3,800 FD, $3,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.64 CF60, 2.28 xGF60, 94.04 PDO
Jiri Hudler ($4,000 FD, $3,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.46 CF60, 2.33 xGF60, 102.01 PDO
Expected Netminder
Kari Lehtonen – My Ratings (out of 10): 6 Cash, 7 GPP
Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche
| Anaheim Ducks | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | John Gibson |  | Calvin Pickard | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 22-13-8 | 13-25-1 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.63 | 2.60 | 22.30% | 81.70% | Team Stats | 2.03 | 3.31 | 13.60% | 77.80% |
Anaheim picked up an important 2-0 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night and wake up today sitting tied for the lead in the Pacific Division. They’ll kick off a quick two-game road trip tonight in Colorado in what is a type of game they simply can’t afford to lose if they want the Pacific Division crown. With the Colorado Avalanche having surrendered an NHL worst 3.31 goals against per game this season, Anaheim will likely command quite a bit of attention this evening. A lot of things here hinge on the status of Ryan Getzlaf as he’s slated to be a game-time decision this evening. If he returns, then he’s immediately a fine option in this matchup, but I’ll continue this write-up assuming he’ll be out of action once again this evening. Even with Getzlaf sidelined, Randy Carlyle has plenty of forward depth to work with. Ryan Kesler is having a tremendous bounce-back season and has already amassed 16 goals and 19 assists in 43 games. He’s been skating alongside Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano on one line, leaving Corey Perry to play with Joseph Cramarossa and Rickard Rakell on the “second” line. The options on the Anaheim blue-line are numerous. Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen both share the duties on the point of the #1 power-play unit and that should bode well for them tonight as Colorado owns an ugly 77.8% penalty kill. Meanwhile, Hampus Lindholm doesn’t quite offer the same offensive skillset as his two defensive teammates, but he does see a healthy dose of playing time with the #2 power-play unit and is a terrific punt option this evening considering the very favorable matchup.
Colorado enters tonight’s game owning an NHL worst 27 points on the season, while also averaging an NHL low in goals per game (2.03 goals/game) and surrendering an NHL worst 3.31 goals against per game. This is obviously not a team you’ll want to target on such a busy slate in cash games, but their NHL low 97.02 PDO does suggest that perhaps some better fortune is headed their way down the stretch. Digging too deep here just seems a bit unnecessary tonight with some many other options, so I’ll focus on the two most dangerous offensive weapons on this team; Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene. Despite a rather slow season by his standards, MacKinnon still leads this team with 27 points. He potted a goal and added an assist in their last game and scored a pair of goals in his two meetings with the Anaheim Ducks last season. With 128 shots on goal in 39 games, he doesn’t need to get on the scoresheet to provide some returns for his owners. Meanwhile, Matt Duchene has sailed past 50+ points in each of the last three seasons. It’s tough to get excited about his performance this season, but he’s extremely gifted offensively and that makes him a GPP threat on a nightly basis. On defense, Tyson Barrie is locked into as many minutes as he can handle now with both Erik Johnson and Francois Beauchemin sidelined. He’s scored a goal and dished out seven assists over the last seven games.
Anaheim Ducks
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.63 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -1, 107.25 CP60
Elite Options
Corey Perry ($6,600 FD, $6,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.49 CF60, 2.69 xGF60, 99.22 PDO
Ryan Kesler ($7,000 FD, $7,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.36 CF60, 2.92 xGF60, 102.09 PDO
Cam Fowler ($4,900 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.03 CF60, 2.7 xGF60, 99.67 PDO
Secondary Options
Jakob Silfverberg ($5,900 FD, $6,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.02 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 103.35 PDO
Antoine Vermette ($4,700 FD, $4,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.55 CF60, 2.33 xGF60, 98.98 PDO
Sami Vatanen ($5,300 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.45 CF60, 2.61 xGF60, 102.26 PDO
Hampus Lindholm ($4,400 FD, $3,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.29 CF60, 2.7 xGF60, 102.16 PDO
Expected Netminder
John Gibson – My Ratings (out of 10): 7.5 Cash, 7.5 GPP
Colorado Avalanche
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 46.45 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -37, 110.19 CP60
Elite Options
None
Secondary Options
Nathan MacKinnon ($7,000 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.73 CF60, 2.2 xGF60, 96.38 PDO
Matt Duchene ($6,600 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.58 CF60, 2.22 xGF60, 97.04 PDO
Gabriel Landeskog ($5,800 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.48 CF60, 1.72 xGF60, 95.46 PDO
Tyson Barrie ($5,300 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 49.28 CF60, 1.85 xGF60, 96.81 PDO
Expected Netminder
Semyon Varlamov – My Ratings (out of 10): 4.5 Cash, 5.5 GPP
New Jersey Devils at Edmonton Oilers
| New Jersey Devils | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 | Cory Schneider |  | Cam Talbot | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 16-18-8 | 21-15-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.19 | 2.90 | 13.30% | 82.30% | Team Stats | 2.81 | 2.67 | 20.90% | 81.00% |
The Devils jumped out to a solid start this season, but they’ve done a complete 180 degree turn down the stretch. They’ve posted a horrendous 7-15-5 record over their last 27 games and will hop over the boards at the Rogers Place owning an Eastern Conference worst 2.19 goals per game this season. They were shutout by the Florida Panthers on Monday and it’s just very tough to target them with any confidence at this point, particularly on the road where they own just a 6-12-5 record this season. The main story here is obviously Taylor Hall first game back in Edmonton since that terrible trade from the offseason. Hall leads the Devils with 25 points in 32 games but has been held off the scoresheet in each of the last four games. Regardless, the added motivation and his superior skill level make him the only New Jersey player I’ll leave in my cash game player pool. Joining Hall on the top forward line are P.A. Parenteau and Travis Zajac, which makes them both fine options to pair with Hall in GPPs. Adam Henrique is arguably their top two-way player and he headlines a secondary scoring line alongside Michael Cammalleri and Kyle Palmieri. With all eyes likely focused on Taylor Hall (among the few targeting the Devils in the first place), those three make for a very interesting contrarian GPP stack. On defense, Damon Severson is really the only Devil to consider (as I will not roster Kyle Quincey). Severson has already breached the 20-point plateau on the young season and has flashed offensive upside with nine power-play assists.
After a terrific start to the season, the Oilers have been treading water a bit down the stretch but still find themselves right in the thick of things in the Pacific Division. They picked up a 2-1 victory over this New Jersey team when they squared off last week and will be looking to prevent their former teammate Taylor Hall from walking away with two points this evening. Breaking down the Edmonton Oilers simply has to start with Connor McDavid. At the midpoint of the season, the phenom owns an NHL best 48 points and he dramatically improves the fantasy outlook for his linemates Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon. Draisaitl has calmed down a bit lately, but his emergence has eased the pain of losing Hall and he’ll hit the ice tonight owning 15 goals and 20 assists in 43 games. As for Maroon, he is thriving in his new role alongside these two playmakers. He’s posted seven goals and added an assist over the last ten games and appears to be well on his way to his first 20+ goal season. Slowing down those three is nearly an impossible feat, but New Jersey will obviously try. With that said, the trio of Benoit Pouliot, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle are more than capable of providing Todd McLellan some consistent secondary scoring. On defense, it’s Andrej Sekera and Oscar Klefbom that require your attention. Both players see plenty of playing time on the point of the power-play and offer similar offensive production.
New Jersey Devils
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 46.86 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -22, 103.73 CP60
Elite Options
Taylor Hall ($6,900 FD, $6,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.85 CF60, 2.47 xGF60, 98.44 PDO
Secondary Options
Adam Henrique ($5,200 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.91 CF60, 2.44 xGF60, 100.74 PDO
Kyle Palmieri ($5,600 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 46.88 CF60, 1.87 xGF60, 104.05 PDO
Travis Zajac ($4,700 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.66 CF60, 2.16 xGF60, 98.97 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cory Schneider – My Ratings (out of 10): 4.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Edmonton Oilers
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 51.73 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 4, 110.12 CP60
Elite Options
Connor McDavid ($8,700 FD, $8,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.14 CF60, 3.19 xGF60, 102 PDO
Leon Draisaitl ($6,500 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.34 CF60, 2.81 xGF60, 100.59 PDO
Secondary Options
Jordan Eberle ($6,300 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.66 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 100.33 PDO
Patrick Maroon ($6,000 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.92 CF60, 3.12 xGF60, 102.2 PDO
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($5,600 FD, $4,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.28 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 96.14 PDO
Oscar Klefbom ($4,700 FD, $4,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.8 CF60, 2.51 xGF60, 97.2 PDO
Andrej Sekera ($4,300 FD, $4,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.84 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 101.66 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cam Talbot – My Ratings (out of 10): 7.5 Cash, 7.5 GPP
St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings
| St. Louis Blues | Los Angeles Kings | ||||||||
 | Jake Allen |  | Peter Budaj | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-15-5 | 20-17-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.83 | 2.98 | 22.60% | 84.80% | Team Stats | 2.46 | 2.49 | 17.80% | 83.60% |
The St. Louis Blues remain a tough team to figure out. Despite being loaded with talent, they’ve failed to win back-to-back games since the first day of December and just simply can’t seem to gain any positive momentum. With that said, they still own a rock solid 21-15-5 record on the season and figure to be a factors in the Western Conference playoffs this spring. The Blues do own a troubling 5-10-1 record away from the Scottrade Center and that could be problematic as they prepare to kickoff a tough three-game tour of California that starts tonight in Los Angeles. Offensively, the St. Louis offense runs directly through Vladimir Tarasenko. He owns 20 goals and 23 assists in 41 games this season and is an extremely dangerous weapon on the wing of St. Louis’ top power-play unit as he’s already racked up 17 power-play points this season. He’s set to be joined by Robby Fabbri and Jori Lehtera at even strength, leaving Alex Steen and Paul Stastny to team up on a dangerous secondary scoring line. Steen and Stastny also join Tarasenko (and Fabbri) up-front on that #1 power-play unit, giving them a fantasy boost despite tonight’s rather tough matchup. Tarasenko figures to see a very heavy dose of Anze Kopitar pestering defense, but the Russian sniper has proven to be matchup proof at this point. On defense, St. Louis has three solid options to target on a nightly basis. Kevin Shattenkirk offers the most offensive upside, but both Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko are in play this evening as well.
It’s been a disappointing season thus far in Los Angeles, and if the playoffs were to start today, the Kings would barely sneak into the postseason as the #8 seed in the Western Conference. They dropped an ugly 6-4 decision against the Dallas Stars on Monday night but have a chance to gain some momentum as this is the second game of a five-game home stand and they do own a solid 12-6-1 record at the Staples Center this season. Up-front, the Kings are your prototypical two-headed attack. Anze Kopitar centers Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis on one line, with Jeff Carter headlining a line alongside Dustin Brown and Tanner Pearson on another. Carter has easily been their top offensive weapon this season, and with Kopitar often tasked with some added defensive responsibilities, I’d expect things to be no different this evening. Carter owns 22 goals and 15 assists in 41 games this season and has been red-hot lately with eight goals and five assists in his last ten games. On defense, Drew Doughty has the name recognition (and hardware), but it’s actually been Alec Martinez putting up the best fantasy numbers this season. Martinez picked up an assist against Dallas on Monday and has now racked up 23 points in 41 games all while staying in the top 15 of the NHL with 86 blocked shots.
St. Louis Blues
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 51.45 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -4, 104.31 CP60
Elite Options
Vladimir Tarasenko ($8,700 FD, $7,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.52 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 102.06 PDO
Secondary Options
Alex Steen ( FD, DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 47.25 CF60, 1.85 xGF60, 97.87 PDO
Jaden Schwartz ($5,600 FD, $5,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.38 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 101.02 PDO
Robby Fabbri ($5,700 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.63 CF60, 2.26 xGF60, 101.3 PDO
Paul Stastny ($5,100 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.9 CF60, 2.04 xGF60, 100.58 PDO
Alex Pietrangelo ($5,600 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.9 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 101.29 PDO
Expected Netminder
Jake Allen – My Ratings (out of 10): 6 Cash, 6 GPP
Los Angeles Kings
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 54.65 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -3, 108.62 CP60
Elite Options
Jeff Carter ($7,900 FD, $7,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.3 CF60, 2.42 xGF60, 100.43 PDO
Secondary Options
Anze Kopitar ($6,800 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.81 CF60, 2.88 xGF60, 97.5 PDO
Marian Gaborik ($4,600 FD, $4,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.97 CF60, 3.45 xGF60, 94.59 PDO
Tanner Pearson ($5,600 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.27 CF60, 2.48 xGF60, 100.28 PDO
Drew Doughty ($6,400 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.71 CF60, 2.5 xGF60, 100.14 PDO
Alec Martinez ($5,200 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.61 CF60, 2.62 xGF60, 95.36 PDO
Expected Netminder
Peter Budaj – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP