NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, December 15th - Page Two
San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens – 07:30 PM EST
| San Jose Sharks | Montreal Canadiens | ||||||||
 | Martin Jones |  | Mike Condon | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 14-14-1 | |||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.55 | 2.69 | 17.70% | 81.50% | Team Stats | 3.19 | 2.23 | 20.40% | 86.70% |
As soon as the Sharks welcomed Logan Couture back to the lineup, they lost him once again for the foreseeable future. After a promising start to the season, they appear to be in the midst of a total free fall and have dropped six straight games heading into tonight’s tough battle at the Bell Centre. Their offense completely dried up lately as they’re only averaging 1.5 goals per game during the six game skid. Peter DeBoer’s recent shakeup on the offensive lines has really damaged the fantasy value of both Joel Ward and Joe Thornton, but the top line of Patrick Marleau, Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski looks to have the most upside. Brent Burns remains one of the most offensively aggressive defenseman in the NHL these days and is really the only Shark on my cash game radar. However, the combination of their recent struggles, fairly expensive price-tags and the brutal matchup make this a fairly easy fade for me.
The Canadiens have been treading water a bit lately, but they’re sitting atop the Eastern Conference and own an NHL best +30 goal differential on the season. With the Sharks in total disarray at the moment, it’s hard to imagine Montreal not improving their home record to 12-4-2 on the season. Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty have set the pace offensively on the top line as that duo has combined for 21 goals and 32 assists (and a +16) in 31 games together. With Brendan Gallagher still sidelined, Paul Byron will play on the wing alongside them, making him an acceptable “punt” option if you’re in need of a value play. Both P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov have put up terrific offensive numbers this season and are deadly weapons on the point of the teams #1 power-play unit, solidifying each as fine plays in all formats.
Elite Options
SAN: None
MON: Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov
Secondary Options
SAN: Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns
MON: Alex Galchenyuk, David Desharnais, Paul Byron, Jeff Petry
Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild – 08:00 PM EST
| Vancouver Canucks | Minnesota Wild | ||||||||
 | Ryan Miller |  | Devan Dubnyk | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 11-12-8 | 15-7-6 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.52 | 2.74 | 18.40% | 79.80% | Team Stats | 2.61 | 2.36 | 17.20% | 77.10% |
The Canucks saw their mini two-game winning streak on Sunday as they were thoroughly outclassed by the Chicago Blackhawks in a 4-0 defeat. They’ll head to Minnesota sporting an ugly 11-12-8 record on the season and should be extremely thankful that they’re in the underachieving Pacific Division. Offensively, it’s a one-line show for the Canucks as the Sedin twins have combined 22 goals and 40 assists in 31 games this season. While they’ve proven to be somewhat matchup proof, they’re almost guaranteed to be shadowed all evening by Zach Parise and this Minnesota team has allowed just 2.36 goals against per game this season. Jannik Hansen has the luxury of being the third wheel alongside the Sedins which provides him a massive fantasy boost while he stays there. Alex Edler remains the top option on the Canucks blue-line as he not only quarterback’s the #1 power-play unit, but also leads all of their defenseman with 17 points. However, with Minnesota having allowed just five goals (two of which were in 3 on 3 overtime) over the last six games, I’ll be looking elsewhere.
The Wild are fresh off of a shutout victory over the San Jose Sharks and will be very happy to return to the Xcel Energy Center where they own an impressive 10-3-1 record thus far this season. It’s been two separate lines responsible for nearly all of the Minnesota offense this season, with Mikko Koivu centering Thomas Vanek and Jason Zucker on one line and Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville teaming up on the top line. Parise has scored two goals and added three goals during his current four game point streak and will likely be a matchup nightmare for this Canucks squad. Ryan Suter has been quiet lately, but still owns 21 points in 28 games, is logging nearly 30 minutes of ice-time per game and is still well underpriced on FanDuel. Alternatively, Jared Spurgeon is off the best offensive start to a season in his young career and looks like a fine value option on the blue-line.
Elite Options
VAN: Daniel Sedin
MIN: Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Mikko Koivu, Ryan Suter
Secondary Options
VAN: Henrik Sedin, Jannik Hansen, Radim Vrbata, Alex Edler
MIN: Mikael Granlund, Thomas Vanek, Jason Zucker, Jared Spurgeon
Calgary Flames at Nashville Predators – 08:00 PM EST
| Calgary Flames | Nashville Predators | ||||||||
 | Jonas Hiller |  | Pekka Rinne | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 13-14-2 | 15-10-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.66 | 3.52 | 11.60% | 70.90% | Team Stats | 2.60 | 2.60 | 20.60% | 75.50% |
The Flames were one of the most disappointing teams in the league during the first quarter of the season, but they’ll head to Nashville riding a five-game winning streak and a strong road trip could go a long way towards propelling them back into the thick of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. Calgary has scored at least four goals in all five games during their winning streak but they’ll have a tough time repeating that tonight against a very physical and defensively sound Predators squad. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan combine forces to create an extremely dangerous top forward line (with David Jones) and they’ll most certainly have the full attention of Peter Laviolette, Shea Weber and company. With that said, they’ve combined for ten goals and eight assists during the winning streak and are fine plays in all formats despite the tough matchup. It’s been a forgettable start to the season for Jiri Hudler, but he’ll team up with Markus Granlund and Sam Bennett on the team’s second line with the hopes of creating some consistent secondary scoring for Calgary. The Flames are very deep on the blue-line, and with Nashville owning an surprisingly poor 75.5% penalty kill, each of their big four (Giordano, Brodie, Hamilton and Russell) are well worth consideration.
As usual, the Predators have played very well in front of the Nashville faithful and they’ll enter tonight’s game with a rock solid 9-4-2 record at the Bridgestone Arena. The Flames may be playing much better hockey recently, but they’ve still allowed more goals against than any other team in the NHL this season. Roman Josi actually leads the Predators with 22 points on the young season and he, along with fellow blue-liner Shea Weber, actually look like the most appealing fantasy options in this game. With that said, James Neal and Filip Forsberg join Calle Jarnkrok on a very dangerous top forward line. Alternatively, Mike Ribeiro has posted three goals and nine assists in 15 home games and looks to help out offensively with Mike Fisher, Gabriel Bourque and Colin Wilson all out of action. With the Flames owning the league’s worst 70.9% penalty kill, it could be an expensive mistake to ignore the Nashville power-play tonight.
Elite Options
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano
NSH: Filip Forsberg, James Neal, Shea Weber, Roman Josi
Secondary Options
CGY: Jiri Hudler, Sam Bennett, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton, Kris Russell
NSH: Mike Ribeiro, Craig Smith, Calle Jarnok, Ryan Ellis, Seth Jones
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets – 08:00 PM EST
| St. Louis Blues | Winnipeg Jets | ||||||||
 |  | Ondrej Pavelec | |||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 17-10-4 | 14-14-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.48 | 2.39 | 18.70% | 87.70% | Team Stats | 2.73 | 3.00 | 15.50% | 78.40% |
The Blues coughed up a pair of early goals against the Avalanche on Sunday, but while the 3-1 loss won’t show it, they absolutely dominated the game during the final two periods. However, since starting the season with an 11-3-1 record, St. Louis has gone just 6-7-3 since and there’s some concerns growing among Blues fans. They’ll look to get things turned around tonight as they head to Winnipeg to battle a Jets team who they have beaten in both previous meetings this season and who has allowed an unsightly 3.00 GA/G this season. Vladimir Tarasenko scored the team’s only goal against Colorado and, with 18 goals and 11 assists, he’s clearly the top scoring option. He’ll be joined by Paul Stastny and Magnus Paajarvi on the top line at even strength and both of those two are fine value plays this evening. Alex Steen, David Backes and Troy Brouwer offer plenty of upside offensively on the second line, but they’ll likely be spending plenty of energy focusing on slowing down the Jets top line of Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little. Kevin Shattenkirk has racked up 17 points in 21 games and has proven to be the top option on the St. Louis blue-line, with both Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo also putting up fine offensive numbers and seeing a healthy dose of playing time on power-play. With Winnipeg being the most penalized team in the league, all three defenseman look like very strong plays in all formats.
Winnipeg continues on a grueling part of their schedule tonight with St. Louis coming to town. While the matchup is undoubtedly a tough one, it’s worth noting that the Jets have posted a very respectable 8-4-1 record on home ice. As mentioned above, the Jets offensive attack is led by the very dangerous combination of Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler, but with that line likely being countered with the very strong defensive line of Alex Steen, David Backes and Troy Brouwer, I’m looking at them as GPP only options this evening. Alternatively, the second line of Mathieu Perreault, Mark Schiefele and Drew Stafford have been heating up (7 goals over the last six games) and should find some better matchups than the top line, making them intriguing GPP plays as well. Dustin Byfuglien won’t come cheap, but the big man has posted 20 points in 30 games on the blue-line and found the back of the net against the Blues in the last meeting. It’s not an ideal spot to unleash him into your lineups, but he’s certainly capable of being a difference maker.
Elite Options
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Paul Stastny, Alexander Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk
WPG: Blake Wheeler, Mathieu Perreault, Dustin Byfuglien
Secondary Options
STL: David Backes, Magnus Paajarvi, Troy Brouwer, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko
WPG: Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Mark Scheifele, Drew Stafford
Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks – 08:30 PM EST
| Colorado Avalanche | Chicago Blackhawks | ||||||||
 | Semyon Varlamov |  | Corey Crawford | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 14-16-1 | 17-10-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.74 | 2.84 | 17.60% | 80.80% | Team Stats | 2.74 | 2.42 | 22.80% | 81.60% |
The Avalanche escaped St. Louis on Sunday night with two points, but they were absolutely during the final two periods and remain the worst puck possession team in the league by Corsi Standards. With a road matchup on tap tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene is really the only grouping that should be targeted in DFS this evening. While that trio is a dynamic force offensively, they’re upside is severely limited as the terrific defensive duo of Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa will likely be following them over the boards before every shift. With 21 other teams to choose from, it just seems unnecessary to dig too deep here tonight.
The Blackhawks enter tonight’s game having posted back-to-back shutouts and will host a Colorado team that, at least on paper, they should be able to overwhelm. Patrick Kane extended his scoring streak to a remarkable 25 games and leads the NHL with 19 goals and 27 assists making him one of the premier plays of the evening. Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov have the luxury of teaming up with Kane both on the top power-play unit and #1 power-play unit, making them both terrific value plays. With Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa (along with Andrew Shaw) paying close attention to Colorado’s lethal top line, they’re likely better served for GPP use. Both Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith share the time on the point of Chicago’s power-play and are off to impressive starts offensively and can both be used with confidence tonight.
Elite Options
COL: None
CHI: Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook
Secondary Options
COL: Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, Tyson Barrie
CHI: Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Teuvo Teravainen, Andrew Shaw