NHL Grind Down: Thursday, March 24th
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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New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins – 07:00 PM EDT
| New Jersey Devils | Pittsburgh Penguins | ||||||||
 | Scott Wedgewood |  | Marc-Andre Fleury | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 35-31-7 | 40-24-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.25 | 2.51 | 20.60% | 81.90% | Team Stats | 2.79 | 2.43 | 17.70% | 84.00% |
New Jersey sits only a handful of points back from the eighth-seed in the Eastern conference, but of all the teams still hanging on to hope, they should be considered the most unlikely to succeed. The Devils are dead-last in goals scored per game at 2.25 and will struggle to find any high-quality scoring chances against a surging Pittsburgh team that has win six consecutive games and boasts a sterling record at home of 23-10-4. The Penguins have allowed just 35 shots against in their last two games, having stifled two strong offenses in Philadelphia and Washington. Avoid New Jersey and look for Marc-Andre Fleury to secure a win, although he will likely see a limited number of shots.
Despite the injury to Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have been dominating games. They have scored 23 goals during their six game winning streak and have a great opportunity once again tonight versus a Devils team that has surrendered 18 goals in their last four games, including four power play goals. Everything Pittsburgh starts with Sidney Crosby who has recorded a point in 12 consecutive games. His salary is not cheap, but with seven multi-point games during this 12 game stretch, Crosby provides an anchor for one’s team. Second line center Nick Bonino has picked up his play in the absence of Malkin and offers worthwhile salary relief.
Elite Plays
NJ: None
PIT: Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury
Secondary Plays
NJ: None
PIT: Chris Kunitz, Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets – 07:00 PM EDT
| Carolina Hurricanes | Columbus Blue Jackets | ||||||||
 | Cam Ward |  | Sergei Bobrovsky | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 31-28-14 | 30-35-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.41 | 2.66 | 16.80% | 84.10% | Team Stats | 2.53 | 3.03 | 17.40% | 81.10% |
Carolina has dropped five in a row with their latest defeat, a deflating one, coming as a result of a blown lead late in the third period. They have scored two or less during this losing streak which is a mirror of their season long struggles to score, as the team is averaging just 2.41 goals per game. While a matchup with Columbus, a team that has allowed the second most goals per game (3.03), looks appealing on paper, the return of Sergei Bobrovsky provides the Blue Jackets with a reliable option in net.
Columbus trailed the Flyers 2:0 the other night with only a minute ago, but finally converted some of their shots (53 in total) to tie the game and then win in the shootout. This is a team that has underachieved all year due to injuries, but their moderate salaries could provide some value during this final stretch. One player of interest is Brandon Saad who is logging heavy minutes and providing a good number of shots on goal per game. Saad has 27 points (17 goals, 10 assists) in 36 home games and makes for a decent play while skating with Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner, both who have been playing well. Goalie Bobrovsky’s dirt cheap salary across the industry puts him in play, especially in tournaments as the Hurricanes are a team which takes a good number of shots (30.2 per game), but cannot convert them.
Elite Plays
CAR: None
CBJ: Brandon Saad, Sergei Bobrovsky
Secondary Plays
CAR: Jeff Skinner
CBJ: Boone Jenner, Cam Atkinson, Seth Jones
Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins – 07:00 PM EDT
| Florida Panthers | Boston Bruins | ||||||||
 | Roberto Luongo |  | Tuukka Rask | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 40-24-9 | 39-26-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.74 | 2.44 | 17.30% | 80.90% | Team Stats | 2.90 | 2.68 | 20.90% | 82.30% |
Florida has dropped two in a row but draws a Boston team which was hammered at Madison Square Garden last night. TD Garden has not been kind to the Panthers however, as they have dropped their last nine meetings in Boston. They could find some success tonight, but they are a hard team to target, especially with the acquisition of Jiri Hudler, which makes the Panthers a team with three strong lines. Jussi Jokinen has points in 14 of his last 15 games and is perhaps the best target in the game with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand likely focused on Florida’s first line. Additionally, look for an aggressive Reilly Smith against his old team.
For whatever reason, the Bruins have really struggled on home ice this season, where they are 16-16-5 in contrast to their 23-11-3 record on the road. They have dropped four consecutive games and are three points back of the Panthers who have a game in hand. Boston owns one of the league’s better power play units, yet the matchup against Florida is not ideal as the Panthers are one of the better defensive teams in the league. It should be noted that Roberto Luongo has been out of sorts for the better part of two months as he has a sub .900 Sv% and is allowing over three goals per game. Outside of tournament plays, Boston can be safely avoided given their current struggles, season long struggles at home, and the mediocre matchup.
Elite Plays
FLA: Jussi Jokinen, Vincent Trocheck
BOS: Patrice Bergeron
Secondary Plays
FLA: Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Reilly Smith
BOS: Loui Eriksson, David Krejci, Lee Stempniak, Torey Krug
Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs – 07:30 PM EDT
| Anaheim Ducks | Toronto Maple Leafs | ||||||||
 | Frederik Andersen |  | Garret Sparks | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 40-23-9 | 26-35-11 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.53 | 2.28 | 23.20% | 87.30% | Team Stats | 2.33 | 2.82 | 14.20% | 81.20% |
Anaheim was uncharacteristically sloppy in Montreal Tuesday night, and while a better effort should be expected, Toronto has been playing much better lately with five wins in their last seven games. Furthermore, the Ducks’ defensive stopper Ryan Kesler, who has spearheaded a surging line alongside Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg, will miss tonight’s game. Frederik Andersen will start for the Ducks, and he has been terrific all season long. He makes for a worthy secondary option. Corey Perry has points in four of his last five games and should be involved offensively against the Leafs, but he has not shown the same multi-point upside that we are accustomed to. Nonetheless, alongside Getzlaf, Perry could make for an interesting tournament pairing as the two are capable of dominating games.
Toronto refuses to give up on the season and could be a pesky out for the Ducks tonight. The Leafs have given up just one power play goal in their last nine games (1/23) and if the Ducks carry over their sloppy play from Montreal the other night, Garret Sparks could make for a fantastic, extremely low-owned tournament play. Young Leafs’ center William Nylander should also be considered as he has goals in back-to-back games and has recorded all seven of his 12 points on the season at home. With that said, the Ducks own the league’s best penalty kill and Frederik Andersen is as stingy as they come.
Elite Plays
ANA: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry
TOR: None
Secondary Plays
ANA: Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Fowler, Frederik Andersen
TOR: William Nylander
Montreal Canadiens at Detroit Red Wings – 07:30 PM EDT
| Montreal Canadiens | Detroit Red Wings | ||||||||
 |  | Petr Mrazek | |||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 36-26-11 | |||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.58 | 2.82 | 16.70% | 83.80% | Team Stats | 2.52 | 2.62 | 17.60% | 81.10% |
Montreal found some goals from their fourth line in an upset of the Ducks on Tuesday night, but for all intents and purposes, this is a team that has given up on the season after a sterling 9-0-0 start. They will start Ben Scrivens in net. Ben has been one of the worst starters in the league the last two seasons. He has struggled on the road all season long, where he is 1-6 with a 3.71 GAA and .891 Sv% in eight starts. Outside of contrarian plays in Pacioretty, Galchenyuk and Markov, Montreal should be avoided as a heavy underdog against a team fighting for their playoff life.
After back-to-back wins to stay alive in the playoff race, the Red Wings were overmatched against the Lightning on Tuesday night. They should find a way to rebound tonight. Petr Mrazek will get the call in net after coming on in relief of Jimmy Howard. Mrazek is 13-7-5 at home with a 2.10 GAA and .922 Sv% and makes for a solid option in goal. Montreal is not generating many power play opportunities and have converted only two of 24 chances in their last 10 games. On offense, Detroit is a team which spreads out their scoring, but given their matchup and cheap salaries across the industry, they are a team to target. Justin Abdelkader has eight points in his last eight games and should find success again tonight alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Dylan Larkin. The second line duo of Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar is also in play against a very poor hockey team.
Elite Plays
MTL: None
DET: Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Petr Mrazek
Secondary Plays
MTL: Max Pacioretty
DET: Justin Abdelkader, Dylan Larkin, Tomas Tatar, Niklas Kronwall