NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, December 22nd

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2015-12-24 00:06:14

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.

Note: As always, if you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use our DraftKings promo code and FanDuel promo code to receive the best perks in the industry.

Anaheim Ducks at New York Rangers – 07:00 PM EST

Anaheim Ducks					New York Rangers
			Frederik Andersen					Henrik Lundqvist
			Record					Record
			12-14-5					19-12-4
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	1.84	2.45	16.70%	87.70%	Team Stats	2.86	2.54	21.60%	81.70%

Easily the most disappointing team thus far of the 2015-16 season, the Ducks lost once again last night and bring an ugly 12-15-5 record into tonight’s game. While the makeup of this team is not drastically different than the team that brought home the Presidents Trophy last season, the Ducks have managed just nine goals over the last seven games and their 1.85 goals per game this season is dead last in the NHL. If you’re targeting this team, look no further than Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on the top line. They’re the only two players who have provided any symbolance of steady offensive production with their new linemate Patrick Maroon and blue-liner Sami Vatanen somewhat intriguing options as low-owned GPP targets.

The Rangers gave up a touchdown to the Capitals on Sunday and have now inexplicably dropped three straight games and own just a 2-9-2 record over their last 13 games. While their inflated team PDO suggested that some type of regression was imminent, I don’t think anyone saw this kind of collapse coming. Derek Stepan return hasn’t change their fortunes just yet, but it does give Alain Vigneault two very capable (at least on paper) scoring lines to work with. It’s been a down season for Rick Nash, but he’s still the most dangerous pure goal scorer on this team and he, along with his line mates Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, are the top options. Stepan is joined by Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast on the second line and also sees plenty of playing time as the center of the #2 power-play unit. Both Ryan McDonagh and Keith Yandle soak up the lions share of the playing time on the point of the power-play, but their outlooks take a small plunge considering the Ducks very impressive 87.7% penalty kill.

Elite Options

ANA: None
NYR: Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, Derick Brassard

Secondary Options

ANA: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Sami Vatanen
NYR: Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh

St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins – 07:00 PM EST

St. Louis Blues					Boston Bruins
								Tuukka Rask
			Record					Record
			20-10-4					19-9-4
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.53	2.35	20.80%	87.80%	Team Stats	3.19	2.56	28.90%	81.20%

The Blues coughed up a three goal lead last night in Philadelphia and won’t have long to regroup as they’ll head to Beantown tonight to take on the surging Boston Bruins. Vladimir Tarasenko headlines a lethal top line for the Blues with Alex Steen and Paul Stastny. While this line is matchup proof to some degree, there just aren’t much more difficult matchups for an opposing top line than squaring off opposite Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand at the TD Garden. Alternatively, David Backes has picked up 5 goals and 3 assists in 10 games this month and centers a very well-rounded second line alongside Magnus Paajarvi and Troy Brouwer. On defense, Kevin Shattenkirk has posted 21 points in 25 games and is proving to be a very dangerous weapon on the point of St. Louis’ #1 power-play. While he’s the top option, Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo are also fine options on the sites where you can find them at a reduced price.

While the Blues were busy battling Philadelphia last night, the Bruins were resting up after defeating New Jersey on Sunday for their third straight victory. The once 8-8-1 Bruins have really turned things on lately and have posted a 11-1-3 record over their last 15 games. Claude Julien has two very impressive forward lines at his disposal, but with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron likely looking to slow down the Tarasenko/Steen/Stastny line all evening, Boston will be relying a bit more heavily on David Krejci to spark the offensive attack from the second line. He’s joined by the very dangerous Loui Eriksson and Matt Beleskey and that grouping has been terrific thus far, particularly on home-ice. On defense, both Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara have been putting up very solid offensive numbers, but their value takes a bit of a hit in this matchup as St. Louis enters tonight’s game sporting the league’s best penalty kill.

Elite Options

STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Kevin Shattenkirk
BOS: David Krejci, Loui Eriksson

Secondary Options

STL: Alexander Steen, David Backes, Paul Stastny, Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko
BOS: Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Spooner, Torey Krug, Zdeno Chara

Vancouver Canucks at Tampa Bay Lightning – 07:30 PM EST

Vancouver Canucks					Tampa Bay Lightning
			Ryan Miller					Ben Bishop
			Record					Record
			12-14-9					17-14-3
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.49	2.86	17.40%	78.30%	Team Stats	2.50	2.29	17.40%	77.10%

The Canucks look to be in complete disarray and have now posted an atrocious 6-12-5 record since November 4th. They’re expected to get Henrik Sedin back into the lineup tonight where he’ll rejoin his brother on the top scoring line. The Sedin twins have combined for 23 goals and 42 assists on the season and are easily the top two fantasy options on this team. With Tampa Bay struggling on the penalty kill (77.1%), they’re the only two players that warrant any real cash game consideration on a ten game slate. Jannik Hansen, Radim Vrbata and Alex Edler all possess enough offensive upside to be targeted in GPP’s.

The Lightning have been victimized by a rash of injuries up front, but they’re still hanging tough in the Atlantic Division and will welcome the Christmas break as much as any team in the league. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin will all be watching from the press box this evening as the Lightning host the visiting Canucks, but John Cooper still has a lethal top line at his disposal where Steven Stamkos centers both Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov. Steven Stamkos has posted some fairly significant home vs. road splits this season as he’s tallied eight goals and eight assists in 15 home games (as opposed to six goals and three assists in 19 road games). He torched the Canucks for two goals and two assists in their two meetings last season and is the top cash game target here. Nikita Kucherov has picked up a goal and four assists in three games since joining Stamkos on the top line, so he’s well worth consideration in all formats as well. The Canucks have posted an ugly 78.3% penalty kill on the season, which solidifies both Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman as rock solid options on the blue-line.

Elite Options

VAN: Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin
TBL: Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman

Secondary Options

VAN: Radim Vrbata, Jannik Hansen, Alex Edler
TBL: Vladislav Namestnikov, Valtteri Filppula, Anton Stralman

New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings – 07:30 PM EST

New Jersey Devils					Detroit Red Wings
			Cory Schneider					Jimmy Howard
			Record					Record
			16-13-5					17-9-7
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.26	2.35	20.20%	82.90%	Team Stats	2.58	2.52	17.10%	81.70%

New Jersey was one of the biggest surprises early on this season, but they fell 2-1 in a shootout against Boston on Sunday and have now gone just 6-7-4 over their last 17 games. They’ve averaged just 2.26 goals per game on the season and have scored just five goals over the last five games. The top line of Michael Cammalleri, Adam Henrique and Lee Stempniak has completely carried this team offensively and they’re the only three players that I’d consider for cash games tonight from New Jersey. Kyle Palmieri scored a goal and added an assists in the first meeting with Detroit and is finally starting to provide some of the offense New Jersey was hoping for when they acquired him this off-season, so he’s a viable GPP option.

Detroit snapped a three game skid with a much needed 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday and will look to keep things rolling with a very winnable home game on tap against the New Jersey Devils. Detroit has posted a solid 11-6-4 record at the Joe Louis Arena this season and their offense has come alive as they’ve gotten healthy (3.34 Goals/Game in December). The Wings have three very solid forward lines, with the top line of Dylan Larkin, Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader responsible for the most damage. Alternatively, Pavel Datsyuk looks to be slowly getting back to 100% and a goal and six assists over the last eight games. Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist have combined for 23 goals and 20 assists and are intriguing GPP options. With that said, this New Jersey is the slowest paced team in the NHL and will do everything in their power to clog up the neutral zone attempt to grind their way to two points, so tread carefully.

Elite Options

NJD: Michael Cammalleri
DET: Henrik Zetterberg, Dylan Larkin, Pavel Datsyuk

Secondary Options

NJD: Adam Henrique, Lee Stempniak, Kyle Palmieri, Damon Severson
DET: Justin Abdelkader, Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Mike Green, Niklas Kronwall

Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers – 07:30 PM EST

Ottawa Senators					Florida Panthers
			Craig Anderson					Roberto Luongo
			Record					Record
			17-12-5					18-12-4
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.97	2.91	18.70%	77.00%	Team Stats	2.62	2.32	19.50%	81.10%

The Senators were badly outplayed by the Lightning on Sunday, but will look to bounce back at they head further south in Florida to battle the Panthers this evening. Ottawa skated to a 4-2 victory the only other time these teams have met this season and will look to head into the Christmas break on a winning note. The Senators receive nearly all of their offensive output from one of their very dangerous, and recently re-shaped, top two lines. Mike Zibanejad is now slated to join Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman on the top line, with Kyle Turris dropping down to play alongside Mark Stone and Zack Smith on the second line. Both Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman are my top targets as they have been red-hot lately, with each player 11 points in 11 games this month. Erik Karlsson is the most offensively aggressive blue-liner in the NHL right now and he leads the Senators (and all NHL defenseman) with 37 points on the season. While he’s clearly a top-tier option, his lofty asking price makes him a more viable GPP option. Keep in mind that Florida has been the second slowest paced team in the NHL this season (97.6 CP60) so just be sure to keep your expectations in check as Roberto Luongo is also one of the top goalies in the league.

The Florida Panthers are often overlooked in daily fantasy hockey, but they’ve rattled off four straight victories and their offense looks to be clicking on all cylinders right now. With a matchup against an Ottawa team that has allowed more shots on goal than any other team in the NHL this season, Florida deserves your full attention tonight. Ottawa has allowed nine power-play goals over their last 10 games (69.0% penalty kill during that stretch) and this Panthers team has scored five goals in three of four games during their current winning streak. With that in mind, the ageless Jaromir Jagr looks like a top-tier play. He tallied a goal and an assist against Vancouver on Sunday and leads this team with 24 points in 31 games. Joining him both at even strength and on the #1 power-play unit are the talented Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Alternatively, Brandon Pirri remains a dangerous sniper on the second power-play unit where he’s joined by solid playmakers Jussi Jokinen and Vincent Trocheck. Former first overall draft pick and Calder Trophy winning Aaron Ekblad is off to a fine start to his sophomore campaign and holds the reigns as the point-man on the top power-play unit. He’s still rather moderately priced across the industry and is a fine defensive option in all formats.

Elite Options

OTT: Mike Hoffman, Bobby Ryan, Erik Karlsson
FLA: Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad

Secondary Options

OTT: Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Mika Zibanejad
FLA: Vincent Trocheck, Brandon Pirri, Jussi Jokinen, Brian Campbell

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