NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, February 9th - Page Three
Vancouver Canucks at Colorado Avalanche – 09:00 PM EST
| Vancouver Canucks | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | Braden Holtby |  | Kari Lehtonen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 20-20-12 | 27-24-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.31 | 2.73 | 17.00% | 80.50% | Team Stats | 2.69 | 2.76 | 19.60% | 79.40% |
The Canucks have dropped four straight and have potted just a goal in each of their last three games, all at home, and tonight they’ll take on the Colorado Avalanche who haven’t looked good at all. They continue to get outshot on a nightly basis but somehow manage to pull out wins when they have no business winning. Because of this, Vancouver could be in a decent spot to score a couple goals. Daniel Sedin has been a solid player on the road this season where he has 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists, +18) in 28 games. With the Canucks lacking offensive talent, expect Daniel to should the load for the road team. He makes for an under the radar, safe option this evening. Aside from Daniel, the rest of Vancouver can be avoided, including his brother who is still trying to get his legs back.
Well, the Avs continue to let their opponents take more shots than they do, night in, night out, but don’t always pay the price. The Canucks are a below average team, and Colorado should score, so the most likely place it will come from is either Nathan MacKinnon or Matt Duchene, but generally the Avs are a difficult team to trust because of the shot discrepancy and their overall inconsistency. Tyson Barrie is an intriguing option with his moderate salary as he is averaging nearly a point per game on home ice.
Elite Plays
VAN: Daniel Sedin
COL: Tyson Barrie
Secondary Plays
VAN: None
COL: Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene
Toronto Maple Leafs at Calgary Flames – 09:00 PM EST
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Calgary Flames | ||||||||
 | Jacob Markstrom |  | Corey Crawford | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 19-23-9 | 23-25-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.29 | 2.75 | 15.10% | 81.20% | Team Stats | 2.63 | 2.90 | 14.20% | 76.80% |
The Leafs have sent away their captain Dion Phaneuf and now their roster looks even more dreadful than before not only because of injuries but because of talent. The only person worth considering is Nazem Kadri, who is playing big minutes and taking a good amount of shots, but there isn’t much to like about the Leafs, who are the biggest underdog of the evening.
Calgary plays their best hockey on home ice, and surprisingly on a slate as big as this, are one of the top teams to target. Jiri Hudler has reunited with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. This trio was one of the most productive lines in hockey last season, especially at home. They should be target in all formats tonight. Johnny Gaudreau has a ridiculous 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists, +20) in 26 games at the Saddledome. An argument can be made that he is the top overall skater tonight given the matchup. Also, on defense, Mark Giordano makes for a safe option. Giordano has really picked up the pace after a slow two month start to the season. Gio has 25 points in 27 games dating back to December. He should be involved at least once on the scoresheet tonight. Because Calgary should win this game, Jonas Hiller makes for a great salary-relieving option in net tonight vs. a Leafs team who can’t score (2.29 goals per game).
Elite Plays
TOR: None
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano
Secondary Plays
TOR: Nazem Kadri
CGY: Jiri Hudler, T.J. Brodie, Jonas Hiller