NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, January 5th - Page Two
Chicago Blackhawks at Pittsburgh Penguins – 07:00 PM EST
| Chicago Blackhawks | Pittsburgh Penguins | ||||||||
 | Corey Crawford |  | Marc-Andre Fleury | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 23-13-4 | 19-15-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.75 | 2.43 | 23.60% | 81.40% | Team Stats | 2.37 | 2.37 | 18.60% | 84.10% |
When looking at the Chicago Blackhawks there are only two way to go. To go full chalk, the first line of Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin would be the most popular choice. Kane has five points in his last five games but it is Anisimov who has caught fire by netting a goal in each of his last three games. The second line features Jonathan Toews who has 13 goals to go along with 13 assists in the team’s first 40 games. The problem is trying to choose a line mate to go with him as Marian Hossa has surely lost a step and Andrew Shaw isn’t anything to write home about. You could get creative and pair Toews with defenseman Duncan Keith who has two goals and three assists in his last two games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins got a shot in the arm last game as goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery returned from injury in fine fashion. By stopping 38 of 40 shots, Fluery was able to hold off the New York Islanders to gain the win by a score of 5-2. The Penguins have scored nine power play goals in their last six games and all of the team’s scoring usually runs through Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang. Crosby has been scrutinized of late but seems to have righted his ship as he has scored 5 goals to go along with two assists in his last five games while Malkin has added a goal and six assists over the same time frame. Letang hasn’t been a slouch either as his two goals and six assists in the last five games is certainly worth noting. If you aren’t going to pair Malkin and Crosby you may want to look to Phil Kessel to slug in with Malkin. He skates second line and top power play with him and should be in play tonight. Finding a pairing for Crosby is a bit tougher as David Perron and Chris Kunitz are his line mates and neither get the top power play minutes. What they do provide is some salary relief if you need to free up some space to target some studs in other games.
Elite Plays
CHI: Patrick Kane
PIT: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin
Secondary Plays
CHI: Jonathan Toews, Artem Anisimov, Artemi Panarin, Duncan Keith
PIT: Kris Letang, David Perron, Phil Kessel, Matt Cullen
Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators – 08:00 PM EST
| Winnipeg Jets | Nashville Predators | ||||||||
 | Ondrej Pavelec |  | Pekka Rinne | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-19-2 | 19-13-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.67 | 2.90 | 13.90% | 76.30% | Team Stats | 2.59 | 2.59 | 20.30% | 77.40% |
The Jets stumble into Nashville after losing two of their first three games on their current five game road trip. It appears that the experiment of having Drew Stafford on the top line with Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler may be over as Andrew Ladd was placed back on the top line in an effort to shake the team up a bit. Although Wheeler hasn’t scored a goal in his last ten games, he does have 12 assists in his last nine and leads the team with 40 points in 39 games. Little is right behind him with four goals and five assists in the last eight games which make both players borderline cash plays. Mark Schiefele returned to the lineup last game after being out since December 22nd. It looks like he will skate with the aforementioned Stafford along with Mathieu Perreault and should be considered as a risky GPP play at best. Dustin Byfuglien has two assists in his last three games but unfortunately his price may be too high to warrant rostering him tonight.
Finally! Head coach Peter Laviolette has come to his senses and has placed James Neal on the second line with Colin Wilson and Viktor Arvidsson. Neal leads the team in goals with 15 so hopefully this will help the rookie Arvidsson in terms of getting on the scoresheet as he has just one assist in the last ten games. Neal’s presence should also help Wilson although he’s been holding his own of late by virtue of netting two goals to go along with three assists over the last six games. This would make the first line of Mike Ribeiro, Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith also a decent play as the Winnipeg Jets have given up 16 goals in their last five road games. On defense it’s a toss up as both Roman Josi and Shea Weber average more than 23 minutes of ice time on a nightly basis and man the points on the team’s top power play unit.
Elite Plays
WIN: Blake Wheeler
NAS: None
Secondary Plays
WIN: Bryan Little, Dustin Byfuglien
NAS: Filip Forsberg, Mike Ribeiro, James Neal, Colin Wilson, Shea Weber, Roman Josi
Tampa Bay Lightning at Calgary Flames – 09:00 PM EST
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Calgary Flames | ||||||||
 | Ben Bishop |  | Jonas Hiller | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 19-16-4 | 18-18-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.51 | 2.36 | 19.10% | 79.50% | Team Stats | 2.63 | 3.16 | 12.30% | 74.50% |
After a lengthy six-game holiday home stand the Tampa Bay Lightning hit the road to face the Calgary Flames. We know what the Flames are all about as they are basically a one line team who plays well at home. The Lightning new second line is actually an old one as they have reunited Ondrej Palat with Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. Palat has returned to action after being out since December 12th and Tyler Johnson has played just three games since being out since December 10th. Meanwhile it has been Kucherov who has been rolling along scoring three goals and nine assists during his current eight game scoring streak. Defenseman Anton Stralman has a goal and four assist in his last five and should be considered as he plays the point on the power play. Steven Stamkos plays on the top power play unit along with line mate Valtteri Filppula and although Stamnkos is always in play I favor the second line for this contest.
According to Flames beat writer @KristenOdlandCH, Jiri Hudler will not be playing in tonight’s game. This makes it real easy as the only two Flames forwards worth rostering are Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan as they lead the team in scoring. This is no big surprise really as the problems that Calgary has are in the scoring department and is the majority of the reason as to why they are just a notch above being the worst team in the conference. I suppose if you felt lucky you could take Joe Colborne as he is slated to skate on the top line with the productive duo. Colborne has had his chances in the past and not cashed in so there’s really no reason to think this time around will be any different. On defense take your pick of either Mark Giordano, who has nine points in his last seven games including four goals, or T.J. Brodie who has collected six assists in his last six games.
Elite Plays
TB: Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau
Secondary Plays
TB: Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Valtteri Filppula, Anton Stralman
CGY: Sean Monahan, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano