NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, December 5th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2017-12-06 00:01:38 Premium Content Part of the product Core4

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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.

Stackability Rating System (Offense):

Green : Friendly matchup at 5v5 and/or on the power play; multiple lines worth stacking
Yellow : Line specific matchup at 5v5 and/or friendly power play matchup
Orange : Stacking is best left for GPPs, secondary scoring units and/or power play in tough matchup
Red : Difficult 5v5 and/or power play matchup, stacking not advisable

Stackability Rating System (Goalies):

Green : Goalie has a plus draw and is playable in all formats
Yellow : There is risk at 5v5 or the penalty kill; iffy for cash games and better for GPPs
Orange : Realistic risk at 5v5 and the penalty kill; not advisable in cash games but viable in GPPs
Red : Elevated risk in all situations and not a recommend crease to chase

New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets

New Jersey Devils					Columbus Blue Jackets
			Cory Schneider					Sergei Bobrovsky
			Record					Record
			15-7-4					17-9-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.00	3.00	21.69	81.25	Team Stats	2.81	2.41	9.33	83.82

Devils Offensive Outlook

5v5 (adj): 54.78 CF/60 (22) | 62.28 CA/60 (3) | 2.3 xGF/60 (15) | 2.37 xGA/60 (10)

The Devils offense is starting to slip just a bit, and tonight they’ll have a tough matchup on their hands at a bad time. The Jackets have been quite strong at 5v5, posting a CF% much greater than that of New Jersey. It figures to be a matchup the Devils struggle to control the puck in. The Columbus defense does a good job limiting high-danger shot attempts and scoring chances against, so the Devils will need to make their looks count. Of course, when the defense does make a mistake or two, Sergei Bobrovsky is in the blue paint to clean up the mess.

New Jersey’s DFS contributions are mostly limited to their top line. Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt constitute the haymaker of the Devil offense. The problem is this line has been horrific at 5v5 — the’ve posted an adjusted 41.62% CF% in about 70 minutes together. Marcus Johansson ‘s return has helped the second line a bit; he’ll skate with Travis Zajac and Drew Stafford at 5v5. As this is the year 2017, this line doesn’t have a ton of upside — especially given the opponent.

Overall, this game sets up unfavorably for New Jersey. The Hall line looks like a deep contrarian tournament line at best, and while Hall’s one-off viability is generally decent, the matchup makes other similarly priced wingers more attractive.

Devils Special Teams Outlook
Don’t look for the Devils to get much going on special teams. In addition to a well disciplined style employed by Columbus, New Jersey will need to deal with a penalty kill that has done a good job limiting shot attempts, scoring chances, and high-danger shot attempts. As the Devils don’t have a high-end power play — they rank third worst generating shot attempts — this isn’t a valuable spot.

Devils Goaltending Outlook
Cory Schneider figures to be busy tonight. He’s playing behind a team struggling to keep the shot attempt volume down at 5v5, and he’s playing against a team that has no issues drumming up shot attempts. This game figures to have the ice tilted downward against Schneider, especially if New Jersey tries to play quick. While the Blue Jacket offense can miss on favorable opportunities, their three scoring lines should work over the Devil defense tonight.