NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, March 1st

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2016-03-03 18:48:07

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.

Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Carolina Hurricanes					New Jersey Devils
			Cam Ward					Cory Schneider
			Record					Record
			28-26-10					30-26-7
Team Stats	2.42	2.66	16.80%	82.40%	Team Stats	2.17	2.33	20.60%	83.00%

Carolina sent two of their top offensive weapons packing over the weekend (Eric Staal and Kris Versteeg) and, after dropping each of their last three games, look to have accepted the fate of missing the playoffs yet again. Tonight they’ll head to New Jersey to battle a Devils team that is not only the slowest paced team in the NHL this season (90.8 CP60), but who also have allowed just 2.31 goals against per game. On a nine game night, and with Justin Faulk status still very much in doubt, fading the Hurricanes is a very easy decision for me in cash games. Jordan Staal has been held off the scoresheet in each of his last three games, but with nine goals and 15 assists in his last 24 games, he has some GPP upside.

With the Devils still grasping to their playoff hopes, picking up two points against the under-manned Carolina Hurricanes this evening is vital. They have looked terrible in each of their last two games and are just coming to terms with the chance that Michael Cammalleri may not return this season. While they’ve been very sound defensively this season, the Devils are the lowest scoring team in the league (2.17 goals per game) and there’s just not a ton to love here from a fantasy perspective. With their leading scorer headed to Boston, the talented Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri look like the only serviceable options. Palmieri has already scored a career high 23 goals this season and has lit the lamp twice in the three prior meetings with Carolina this season. This looks like one of the least fantasy friendly games in recent memory and I’ll be staying far, far away.

Carolina Hurricanes

CF%: 52.7, CP60: 107.2, 5×5 Differential: -15
Elite Options: None
Secondary Options: Jordan Staal, Justin Faulk (if back)

New Jersey Devils

CF%: 46.6, CP60: 90.8, 5×5 Differential: -15
Elite Options: None
Secondary Options: Adam Henrique, Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac

Calgary Flames at Boston Bruins – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Calgary Flames					Boston Bruins
			Jonas Hiller					Tuukka Rask
			Record					Record
			26-31-4					34-23-6
Team Stats	2.69	3.08	16.10%	73.30%	Team Stats	3.03	2.76	21.40%	81.90%

After dropping five straight games and selling some key contributors before yesterday’s trade deadline, Calgary players are just counting the numbers of days until they can hit the golf course at this point. This team has struggled mightily away from the Saddledome all season, posting an ugly 9-18-3 road record. They’ll head to Boston tonight to face a very hungry Bruins team, and it’s very tough to get excited about them from a fantasy perspective. With that said, Johnny Gaudreau has been red-hot lately with three goals and nine assists during his current eight-game point streak. He’ll be joined by Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland on the top line, but you’ll want to tread carefully as their home vs road splits are a concern as is the fact that they’ll see a full dose of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand pestering defense. On the blue-line, Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton are all locked into huge minutes and have plenty of offensive upside. The matchup is far from ideal, but they’re GPP targets.

With four very difficult games in a row looming for the Bruins after tonight, Boston should be very focused on securing two points against Calgary tonight. The Flames sent off both Jiri Hudler and Kris Russell prior to the trade deadline and were not only in action last night, but have also allowed an NHL worst 3.08 goals against per game this season. With that said, Boston looks like a terrific team to target tonight. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand (along with Brett Connolly) have been on a tear on the top line. Marchand wrapped up February with 12 goals and four assists in 14 games and lit the lamp on two occasions in the only other meeting against Calgary this season. Meanwhile, David Krejci leads the relieved Loui Eriksson and David Pastrnak on a very dangerous secondary scoring line. Krejci has posted eight goals and 18 assists in 28 home games this season and still remains rather reasonably priced on several sites. On defense, the duo of Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara look like top tier options tonight considering the Flames NHL worst 73.3% penalty kill. Krug saw a four-game scoring streak snapped on Sunday meanwhile Chara chipped in a goal and an assist against Calgary in that first meeting. Both players are locked into 20+ minutes of ice-time per game and see plenty of run with the man advantage.

Calgary Flames

CF%: 47.6, CP60: 110.7, 5×5 Differential: -13
Elite Options: Johnny Gaudreau
Secondary Options: Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, T.J. Brodie

Boston Bruins

CF%: 48.4, CP60: 110.9, 5×5 Differential: 10
Elite Options: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Torey Krug
Secondary Options: Loui Eriksson, David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner, Zdeno Chara

Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres – 07:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Edmonton Oilers					Buffalo Sabres
			Cam Talbot					Robin Lehner
			Record					Record
			23-34-7					25-31-7
Team Stats	2.38	2.98	17.30%	80.30%	Team Stats	2.32	2.62	19.60%	82.70%

The Oilers finally snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win against the Islanders on Sunday and will now set off on a four game road trip. While this team may own an ugly 4-11-2 record over their last 17 games and own the worst record in the Western Conference, it’s going to be hard to ignore them against the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Connor McDavid picked up another assists on Sunday and has now tallied 10 goals and 19 assists in his first 27 games at the NHL level. He’s joined by Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Eberle both at even strength and on the #1 power-play unit and all three are fine options. Eberle lit the lamp against Buffalo in their first meeting and has tallied nine goals and seven assists in 14 games since the break. Alternatively, Taylor Hall still leads the team with 54 points and has thrived this season along Leon Draisaitl (and now Zack Kassian now that Teddy Purcell has been traded). On defense, the Oilers sent Justin Schultz off to Pittsburgh over the weekend, leaving Andrej Sekera all the minutes he can handle and the duties as the point man on the top power-play unit. He’s stuck in a six game scoring drought, but is still in play tonight where the price is right.

In a battle between two of the brightest young talents in the NHL, Buffalo will look to bounce back from a 2-0 shutout loss in Los Angeles on Saturday. It’s not often that we’ve been able to comfortably target Buffalo in our cash games this season, but with the Oilers having allowed an ugly 3.25 goals against per game on the road this season, this may be the time. The Sabres clearly missed Ryan O’Reilly on Saturday as they managed to throw just 23 shots at Jonas Enroth. While losing their top scorer is an obvious blow to this team (and Jamie McGinn, as well), Dan Bylsma still has two capable scoring lines to throw over the boards. Eichel was the #2 pick in last year’s NHL draft (right behind McDavid) and scored a goal against Edmonton in their first meeting. He’s been quiet lately but owns eight goals and 19 assists in his last 31 games. He’ll be joined by Zemgus Girgensons on one line with Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart join forces on another. On defense, Rasmus Ristolainen is in the midst of a breakout season and is a fine target this evening. He’s posted 35 points in 63 games and is averaging over 25 minutes of ice-time per game.

Edmonton Oilers

CF%: 48.7, CP60: 109.4, 5×5 Differential: -31
Elite Options: Connor McDavid, Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall
Secondary Options: Leon Draisaitl, Benoit Pouliot, Andrej Sekera

Buffalo Sabres

CF%: 47.7, CP60: 104.5, 5×5 Differential: -29
Elite Options: Jack Eichel, Rasmus Ristolainen
Secondary Options: Evander Kane, Sam Reinhart

St. Louis Blues at Ottawa Senators – 07:30 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
St. Louis Blues					Ottawa Senators
			Jake Allen					Craig Anderson
			Record					Record
			36-20-9					30-27-6
Team Stats	2.45	2.38	21.20%	86.60%	Team Stats	2.84	3.05	17.90%	74.50%

After three straight disappointing losses, the St. Louis Blues finally stopped the bleeding with a 5-2 win in Raleigh on Sunday. They’ll continue their road trip tonight in Ottawa with a terrific matchup as the Senators have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, have given up an NHL worst 33.2 SA/G and sport an atrocious 74.5% penalty kill. The Blues were ecstatic to welcome Alex Pietrangelo back to the lineup ahead of schedule on Sunday and he wasted no time helping out as he promptly scored a goal and added an assist. Along with him, both Kevin Shattenkirk and Colton Parayko all see a significant fantasy boost in this matchup from the St. Louis blue-line. Up-front, the Alex Steen injury is a big blow for this team, but they still have plenty of forward depth. With that said, the top line of Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny is easily the most dangerous. Tarasenko leads the team with 54 points in 63 games and is one goal shy of his second career 30 goal season. Rookie Robby Fabbri has heated up lately and flashed the offensive upside that made him a first round pick in 2014. He’s tallied four goals and six assists in 13 games since the All-Star break and is a fine value option if you’re in need of some salary relief.

With the Senators sitting four points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and with three teams to overtake, they simply can’t afford too many more losses. They finished out a three game road trip with an important 6-4 win over Calgary on Saturday night and will return home tonight having won five of their last six games. St. Louis has been sound defensively all season, so this is not an ideal matchup for Ottawa by any means. With that said, Erik Karlsson leads all NHL defenseman in scoring this season and is unique talent for all formats if you can afford him in one of your defensive spots. He’s thrived on home ice as he’s posted nine goals, 30 assists and a +17 in 31 games at the Canadian Tire Centre. Up-front, Dave Cameron will attack St. Louis with two very dangerous forward lines. Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad
and Bobby Ryan join forces on the top line and their mix of speed and creativity will be a matchup problem for Ken Hitchcock. However, it’s been Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Stone doing most of the damage lately. Those two still somewhat fly under the radar but have combined for 12 goals and 17 assists in 13 games since the break and remain very reasonably priced.

St. Louis Blues

CF%: 51.3, CP60: 105.7, 5×5 Differential: 5
Elite Options: Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo
Secondary Options: Paul Stastny, David Backes, Robby Fabbri, Colton Parayko

Ottawa Senators

CF%: 47.4, CP60: 110.6, 5×5 Differential: -5
Elite Options: Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman
Secondary Options: Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Bobby Ryan, Mika Zibanejad, Dion Phaneuf

Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators – 08:00 PM EST

Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Dallas Stars					Nashville Predators
			Antti Niemi					Pekka Rinne
			Record					Record
			38-19-6					31-21-11
Team Stats	3.21	2.84	22.10%	79.30%	Team Stats	2.60	2.49	19.60%	79.90%

Dallas lost a heart-breaker in overtime last night against the Red Wings and won’t have much time to gather their thoughts before heading to RotoGrinders HQ for tonight’s battle with the Nashville Predators. The Stars have won both prior meetings between these two teams this season and can regain first place in the Central Division with two points. When breaking down the Stars from a fantasy perspective, you obviously have to start with their top line of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and, at least for now, Patrick Sharp once again. Benn and Seguin are both among the league leaders in scoring this season and have combined for three goals and three assists in the first two meetings against Nashville. Patrick Sharp is quietly having a solid season with 47 points in 64 games and sees a major fantasy boost as long as he sticks on the top line. Jason Spezza dished out a pair of assists against the Predators the only time he’s faced them this season and gives Dallas a very strong secondary scoring line alongside Valeri Nichushkin and Mattias Janmark. Blue-liner John Klingberg runs the show from the point of Dallas’ top power-play unit and is an excellent option in all formats tonight. He’s already dished out three assists against Nashville this season and now owns 52 points in 64 games. While Nashville has allowed just 26.9 shots against per game this season and tired legs being a slight concern, Dallas has too much firepower to ignore.

After picking up another statement 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday for their fourth straight win, the Nashville Predators will look to send yet another message to the Central Division tonight as they host the Dallas Stars. For the second time in three games, Filip Forsberg picked up a hat trick on Saturday and just finished the month of February with 12 goals and four assists in 13 games. He’ll skate alongside Mike Riberio and Craig Smith at even strength leaving Ryan Johansen to center James Neal and Calle Jarnkrok on the top forward line. With the Dallas Stars playing at the fastest pace in the NHL, all six players seem a small fantasy boost. On defense, Shea Weber has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and his status is still uncertain for tonight’s game. If he’s unable to go, Roman Josi would see all the run he could handle and quarterback the top power-play unit. Weber’s absence would also open the door for Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm to see some extra playing time and also see some playing time with the man-advantage.

Dallas Stars

CF%: 53.5, CP60: 116.4, 5×5 Differential: 6
Elite Options: Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, John Klingberg
Secondary Options: Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza, Jason Demers

Nashville Predators

CF%: 52.6, CP60: 105.4, 5×5 Differential: 7
Elite Options: James Neal, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Roman Josi
Secondary Options: Craig Smith, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Fisher, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis