NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, February 9th

by Joe (Joda) Last Updated 2016-02-11 00:03:10

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.

Edmonton Oilers at New Jersey Devils – 07:00 PM EST

Edmonton Oilers					New Jersey Devils
			Cam Talbot					Cory Schneider
			Record					Record
			21-28-5					26-20-7
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.44	3.04	18.70%	80.20%	Team Stats	2.25	2.26	19.80%	82.10%

After a mini hot streak with wins of 5:1 and 7:2 following the return of Connor McDavid, the road-weary Oilers were humbled 5:1 in Montreal before getting pounded less than 24 hours later by the Islanders 8:1. They also draw a very difficult matchup against stingy Cory Schneider. Given the volatility of the Oilers, none of their team should be considered in cash games and any interest in using them in GPPs should be tempered.

The Devils don’t jump out at you, but they’ve been competitive this season even though their offensive talent is abysmal. Nonetheless, they have a favorable matchup vs. the Oilers who have given up a whopping 13 goals in their last two games. Any attention to the Devils offense should be directed toward Adam Henrique, who is the Devils’ most consistent player and logs the top minutes you want in a skater. His linemate Lee Stempniak is also a decent option, but generally, the Devils offense is one to avoid. Cory Schneider makes for a decent option in net as he has given up two or less in his last five starts. He rarely receives goal support however, so using him in cash can cause a headache.

Elite Plays

EDM: None
NJ: Adam Henrique

Secondary Plays

EDM: Taylor Hall, Connor McDavid
NJ: Lee Stempniak, Cory Schneider

Florida Panthers at Buffalo Sabres – 07:00 PM EST

Florida Panthers					Buffalo Sabres
			Al Montoya					Robin Lehner
			Record					Record
			31-15-6					21-26-6
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.75	2.21	17.80%	83.30%	Team Stats	2.26	2.62	20.40%	81.10%

The past two months have been a series of emotions for the Panthers as they won 12 games in a row before dropping 4 in a row, then winning 5 in a row, and now coming into this game off back-to-back losses. Nonetheless, they draw a decent matchup against the Sabres. The most interesting play in this game is goalie Roberto Luongo who has been fantastic all season, posting a 23-13-5 record with a 2.13 GAA and .930 SV%. He has also gone 2-1 vs. the Sabres already this year. Buffalo sits just ahead of the Devils and Ducks as the lowest scoring teams in the league, managing a paltry 2.26 goals per game. Florida has given up more than 34 shots per game in their last six, so the safety and upside is there for Luongo tonight. Concerning offense, Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss tonight’s game after leaving early last night, so the Panthers will be limited as Bjugstad fills in as the top center alongside Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr.

The Sabres have the advantage of being rested tonight vs. the Panthers but will face a tough challenge in cracking Roberto Luongo who did not start last night. They will have a decent chance however as Robin Lehner is expected to start in net. In limited numbers this season, Lehner is 2-3-1 with a 2.17 GAA and .939 SV%. He started a few nights ago and made 36 saves on 38 shots in Boston before losing in overtime on a penalty shot. This game is expected to be low-scoring and with the Sabres’ talent (O’Reilly, Eichel, Kane) spread across different lines, there isn’t one line that stands out.

Elite Plays

FLA: None
BUF: None

Secondary Plays

FLA: Jonathan Huberdeau, Roberto Luongo
BUF: Ryan O’Reilly, Robin Lehner

Los Angeles Kings at Boston Bruins – 07:00 PM EST

Los Angeles Kings					Boston Bruins
			Jonathan Quick					Tuukka Rask
			Record					Record
			31-17-3					28-18-6
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.65	2.29	21.90%	82.70%	Team Stats	2.90	2.63	24.10%	84.70%

The Crowns visit Boston tonight, having not played since the 4th when they were back in sunny LA. The Kings have been solid all season, but unlike years before when they dominated at home and blew gaskets on the road, this year’s Kings have found success away from the Staples Center as they are 16-7-2. All season long the Kings have been adjusting their lines, defensive pairings and so on, so it’s hard to know who will be on the ice together. One thing that is known however is how good Anze Kopitar has been this season. He has 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) since the calendar turned over and centers a strong power-play unit which could find success tonight against Tuukka Rask who has really struggled at home this year, allowing almost three goals per game.

What is true about the Kings having always been a good home team but average on the road is the same with Boston as the Bruins 12-13-3 at home compared to 16-5-3 on the road. Much of the struggle can be directed to Tuukka Rask who hasn’t been the same dominant goalie of years past. Either way, the Bruins currently sit in a three-way tie for second in the Atlantic Division and find themselves in a decent spot tonight given the Kings long layoff. Furthermore, Jonathan Quick has struggled recently giving up, 3, 3, 4, 2 and 3 goals in his most recent starts, all of which were excellent matchups. Consequently, Boston provides some decent value across the industry. Two-way beast Patrice Bergeron comes to mind first, but it’s actually the cheap skaters of the second line (Loui Eriksson, David Krejci and David Pastrnak) who make the most sense given their bargain pricing and the not exactly favorable matchup. Blue liner Torey Krug is also interesting as he has been a victim of bad puck luck all season long.

Elite Plays

LA: Anze Kopitar
BOS: David Krejci, Loui Eriksson

Secondary Plays

LA: Tyler Toffoli, Jake Muzzin
BOS: Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Torey Krug

Anaheim Ducks at Philadelphia Flyers – 07:00 PM EST

Anaheim Ducks					Philadelphia Flyers
			John Gibson					Steve Mason
			Record					Record
			25-18-7					23-19-9
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.22	2.30	18.20%	89.10%	Team Stats	2.37	2.61	18.20%	78.70%

Roast Duck was last night’s entree at the Consol Energy Center as Bruce Boudreau’s team was annihilated by the Penguins and streaking Sidney Crosby. Prior to this loss, the Ducks had won six games in a row, scoring three goals in each as they experiment with Perry and Getzlaf on different lines. Frederik Andersen is expected to start in net for the Ducks, and he’s sparkled in the new year, after a rough start to the season. In his last 6 starts, Freddy has given up a mere 10 goals and makes for a contrarian play at goalie as he takes on the Flyers who are in the bottom of the NHL’s scoring teams at 2.37 goals per game.

Speaking of the Flyers, they have dropped two in a row, but in close fashion. After an extremely slow start to the season, including a 4th line role at times, Jakub Voracek has found his touch. In 11 January games, the talented winger has 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) while averaging more than 3 shots on goal per game. It shouldn’t be that surprising since he is skating with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds who are two fantastic players themselves. Nonetheless, even with the Ducks playing on consecutive nights, the matchup is less than ideal and Andersen’s numbers in 2016 limit the Flyers potential in this game, making skaters on both teams reserved for a handful of GPP entries at best.

Elite Plays

ANA: None
PHI: None

Secondary Plays

ANA: Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Shea Theodore
PHI: Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Shayne Gostisbehere

New York Islanders at Columbus Blue Jackets – 07:00 PM EST

New York Islanders					Columbus Blue Jackets
			Jaroslav Halak					Joonas Korpisalo
			Record					Record
			27-18-6					21-28-5
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.80	2.49	18.80%	86.80%	Team Stats	2.50	3.11	17.70%	80.10%

After getting blown out 5:1 at Detroit on Saturday, the Islanders responded in a big way as they pounded the Oilers 8:1 the next day. Kyle Okposo led the charge as he scored a hat trick with 8 shots on goal. With most of the defensive attention likely on John Tavares and given his moderate salary across the industry, Okposo makes for the most intriguing play from the Islanders, as they should find some success against a mediocre Columbus team. On defense, Nick Leddy is a solid option as he plays on the top power play unit and has eight points in as many games.

Columbus went on a Canadian tour and found success winning in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. With Sergei Bobrovsky out, goalie Joonas Korpisalo has kept the Blue Jackets competitive. Outside of a five-goal blow up at Edmonton, the young Finn has allowed 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 and 1 goal in his other most recent starts despite Columbus being out-shot for the most part in each game. On offense, the Jackets can safely be avoided as no skater, outside of perhaps, Seth Jones, offers much potential.

Elite Plays

NYI: John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Nick Leddy
CBJ: None

Secondary Plays

NYI: Frans Nielsen
CBJ: Seth Jones

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