NHL Grind Down: Thursday, October 15th - Page 2
Dallas Stars at Tampa Bay Lightning – 07:30 PM EDT
| Dallas Stars | Tampa Bay Lightning | ||||||||
 | Kari Lehtonen |  | Ben Bishop | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 41-31 | 50-24 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.13 | 3.13 | 19.00% | 80.70% | Team Stats | 3.16 | 2.51 | 18.80% | 83.70% |
The Dallas Stars travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning tonight hoping to carry the offensive success they found last time out with them. Jason Spezza notched a hat trick on Tuesday against the Oilers and teams around the league were put on notice that the Stars have the firepower to burn you in more ways than one. Largely due to an injury to Patrick Eaves, Patrick Sharp finally saw time on Dallas’ top line alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on Tuesday. While Sharp didn’t have a point in the game, he logged seven shots on goal and over twenty-three minutes of ice time. If you didn’t already love the Benn – Seguin duo for fantasy purposes, it will become even more attractive if Lindy Ruff chooses to keep Sharp on their line. The matchup with Tampa Bay isn’t stellar at first impression, but the Lightning were actually a middle of the road defensive team last year that gave up over 2.5 goals a game. Additionally, the Tampa Bay penalty kill appears shaky to start the season, having allowed 5 goals on only 12 chances so far this year. This Dallas team can be overwhelming offensively and I don’t think any line or defensive pair is capable of shutting down the Benn – Seguin duo.
Tampa Bay has started the season strong and it is easy to see why this squad made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Tampa’s biggest strength may be their depth and it’s been on full display throughout the first four games of this season as ten different players have already scored goals. The Triplets line of Ondrej Palat – Tyler Johnson – Nikita Kucherov have still yet to exhibit a dominant performance (they had many last year) and will look to break out against a Dallas team that has some holes defensively. While Steven Stamkos only has two points so far this year, his linemates Ryan Callahan and Jonathan Drouin each are producing at a point-per-game clip. Anton Stralman, a solid value play on the blue line so far this year, also has four points in four games. I anticipate this game will be a high scoring affair and both of Tampa’s top two lines are in play.
Elite Plays
DAL: Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn
TBL: Steven Stamkos, Ryan Callahan, Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman
Secondary Plays
DAL: Jason Spezza, Patrick Sharp, John Klingberg
TBL: Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat, Anton Stralman
St. Louis Blues at Edmonton Oilers – 09:00 PM EDT
| St. Louis Blues | Edmonton Oilers | ||||||||
 |  | Ben Scrivens | |||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 51-24 | 24-44 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.91 | 2.40 | 22.30% | 83.70% | Team Stats | 2.35 | 3.37 | 17.70% | 76.70% |
The St. Louis Blues head to Edmonton tonight to face the Oilers in a prime matchup for fantasy production. Much like the Sabres referenced above, the Oilers defense corps leaves a lot to be desired and I expect them to once again have one of the highest goals against totals in the league this season. Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen are the prime targets to score for the Blues and frankly I would be surprised if they don’t hit the scoresheet. Vladi “The Tank” Tarasenko has four points through three games this season and appears poised to match or even improve on his stellar 2014-2015 in which he logged 73 points in 77 games. The Blues may be without stud defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk who suffered an injury last time out against Calgary, but expect Alex Pietrangelo to pick up the offensive slack on the back end and anchor the top power play unit which has been impressive so far this year. Rookie Colton Parayko shot was on display last time out as well, as he notched two goals versus the Flames.
Connor McDavid scored his first NHL goal in Dallas on Tuesday off a pretty deflection and will look to impress once again in Edmonton’s home opener tonight against the Blues. Despite the home ice advantage, the Oilers face a tough task in a Blues team that has elite talent, forward depth, and a strong defense corps. Taylor Hall nearly missed Tuesday’s game due to an illness, but appears good to go tonight and will look to hit the scoresheet for the first time this year. On paper, the Oilers lineup tells a familiar story this season as it is stacked with offensive talent but balanced by a weak blueline. I don’t like their matchup against St. Louis, despite the McDavid home opener narrative.
Elite Plays
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen, Alex Pietrangelo
EDM: None.
Secondary Plays
STL: Paul Stastny, Troy Brouwer, David Backes
EDM: Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall
Minnesota Wild at Arizona Coyotes – 10:00 PM EDT
| Minnesota Wild | Arizona Coyotes | ||||||||
 | Devan Dubnyk |  | Mike Smith | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 46-28 | 24-50 | ||||||||
| 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 | 2.01 | 3.26 | 20.00% | 76.70% |
In the final game of the night, the Minnesota Wild travel to Arizona to face the Coyotes who are playing on a back-to-back, having shutout the Ducks last night. Minnesota has started the year strong with victories in their first two games, led by by the play of captain and franchise player Zach Parise. The Wild are in the same category as teams like Nashville, St. Louis, Florida and the New York Rangers in that they possess solid depth throughout the lineup and strong defensive units. While Arizona is off to a shocking 3-0-0 start to the season and goaltender Mike Smith has two shutouts already, I’m still loving the Wild in this matchup. I anticipate the Wild will wear down a young Arizona team on the back-to-back and Arizona’s lack of defensive prowess will finally become evident throughout the game. Look for Parise and his linemates Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville (this line also plays the PP together) to hit the scoresheet in what could become a lop sided affair. It’s unclear whether Smith will start for the second time in 24 hours for the Coyotes, but the matchup is even better for the Wild if he sits.
The Arizona Coyotes may be the biggest surprise in the NHL so far, going undefeated in their first three games against prime competition. All of the teams that the Coyotes have beaten are projected playoff clubs: Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles. For DFS purposes you have to decide whether you are buying or selling here. Do you believe the Coyotes’ start to the season is a total anomaly and they will soon fall back to their place as a bottom-barrel Western Conference team? Or do you think that the youth movement in Arizona, which has brought a great deal of skill and speed into the lineup, can continue to produce positive results? I’ve been very impressed with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair so far this year. Domi scored top shelf with a backhander last night that, simply put, I’ve only seen one other guy in the NHL do—-Sidney Crosby. Duclair was a player I followed last year as he surprisingly made the Rangers roster out of training camp. While he may have some issues on the defensive end, The Duke flat-out knows how to score and his three goals last night prove it. Domi and Duclair played on a line together in the World Junior Championships last year and absolutely obliterated the competition. I’m curious to see if, after the chemistry the pair showed once again in yesterday’s game, Dave Tippett will reunite the two young stars as linemates. Personally, while I think the Coyotes have a bright future and are an exciting team to watch right now, I also think the are due to regress. The stellar play of Mike Smith has covered up their defensive liabilities and they will eventually be brought to light. Arizona had the second-worst record in the league last year and I’m not buying the quick turnaround.
Elite Plays
MIN: Zach Parise, Jason Pominville
ARI: Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Secondary Plays
MIN: Mikael Granlund, Ryan Suter, Thomas Vanek
ARI: Mikkel Boedker, Anthony Duclair, Martin Hanzal