NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, December 15th - Page Three
Columbus Blue Jackets at Dallas Stars – 08:30 PM EST
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Dallas Stars | ||||||||
 | Sergei Bobrovsky |  | Kari Lehtonen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 11-17-3 | 22-6-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.39 | 2.97 | 18.40% | 81.30% | Team Stats | 3.37 | 2.60 | 22.90% | 79.50% |
Columbus was in action last night and will be faced with the unfavorable task of battling the league’s fastest paced team with some potentially tired legs. Obviously, this does not set up overly well for Columbus and it’s a certainly a reason for concern if you’re thinking about targeting them in your cash games. With that said, the Stars have been simply mediocre defensivally this season and the increase in pace could open the door for more Columbus scoring chances. The Blue Jackets have found some symbalance of a balanced scoring attack lately, and while that’s what Coach Tortorella is hoping for, it muddies the waters a bit from a fantasy perspective. Guys like Scott Hartnell, Ryan Johansen, Nick Foligno, Brandon Saad and Boone Jenner are all fine GPP options, but I’ll be avoiding this team in my cash games.
The Stars will be looking to bounce back from being shutout for the first time this season and, as the highest scoring team in the NHL, they should get back to lighting the lamp against a defensively challenged Columbus squad who will be without Sergei Bobrovsky once again. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn (who’s listed at defense on FanDuel for some reason) are the most dynamic duo in the league this season and have teamed up for points on the same goal more often than any other tandem in the league (28 times). They’re premier options on tonight’s slate and their new linemate Valeri Nichushkin should reap the benefits of playing alongside them and is one of the best value options on the board. Jason Spezza and Patrick Eaves look to be slated to join Seguin and Benn on the #1 power-play unit which makes them both nice secondary options as well. John Klingberg has cooled off a bit lately, but still owns three goals and 15 assists in 14 home games and doesn’t appear to be willing to hand over the reigns as the quarterback of the #1 power-play unit anytime soon. He’s still reasonably priced compared to some of the other big name defenseman and is well worth consideration in all game types.
Elite Options
CBJ: Ryan Johansen, Scott Hartnell
DAL: Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, John Klingberg
Secondary Options
CBJ: Brandon Saad, Boone Jenner, Cam Atkinson, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Murray
DAL: Valeri Nichushkin, Jason Spezza, Patrick Eaves, Patrick Sharp, Alex Goligoski