NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, October 13th

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2015-10-15 17:58:46

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 iss 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.

Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes – 07:00 PM EDT

Florida Panthers					Carolina Hurricanes
			Roberto Luongo					Cam Ward
			Record					Record
			38-29					30-41
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.41	2.60	16.30%	80.00%	Team Stats	2.23	2.67	18.80%	84.70%

The Panthers won all three meetings between these teams last season by a combined score of 10-1, but were inexplicably shutout out by the Philadelphia Flyers last night two days after hanging seven goals on them. They may not be quite ready to contend for a playoff spot at this point, but this is a very talented young hockey club. With that youth comes the inconsistencies we’ve already seen through the first two games, and with that in mind they’re not going to be a common target of mine when they’re on the road. Both of the top two lines are loaded with offensive potential, and are fine targets against the Hurricanes, but don’t invest too heavily here as the back-to-back situation coupled with Carolina’s impressive 84.7% Penalty Kill last season are both signs that this could be a somewhat slow, low-scoring battle.

This Carolina team was not only dominated by the Panthers last season, but they’ve dropped both games to start the 2015-16 season and are widely a wasteland by fantasy standards. Eric Staal and Justin Faulk are the only two guys on my cash game radar, and aside from a contrarian GPP move, I’ll be avoiding this team all together on a busy nine game slate.

Elite Plays

FLA: Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad
CAR: None

Secondary Plays

FLA: Jaromir Jagr, Brandon Pirri, Nick Bjugstad, Brian Campbell, Roberto Luongo
CAR: Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg, Justin Faulk

Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins – 07:00 PM EDT

Montreal Canadiens					Pittsburgh Penguins
			Carey Price					Marc-Andre Fleury
			Record					Record
			50-22					43-27
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.61	2.24	16.50%	83.70%	Team Stats	2.65	2.49	19.30%	84.80%

These two very familiar foes have been forces in the Eastern Conference over the past several seasons, but they enter tonight’s game off to very different starts to the season. The Canadiens have rolled through each of their first three games, and anchored by arguably the best goaltender in the NHL, look as if they’re going to be a very tough “out” come next spring. The Canadiens will look to close out a season opening four game road streak in perfection but will have their hands full as they struggled a bit against this very talented Penguins team last season. With the Penguins being razor thin on the blue-line this season and more than willing to play a wide-open style of hockey, there should be plenty of scoring chances to go around for the Canadiens. Max Pacioretty leads the offensive charge for this team and is joined on the top line by playmakers Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher. Pacioretty has already pickup up four points on the young season (2 goals and 2 assists) and Tomas Plekanec has now lit the lamp three times over the past two games; fire up this line as you see fit. Former first round pick Alex Galchenyuk has also already chipped in four points this season and looks poised for a career year on the very capable secondary line alongside Lars Eller and Alexander Semin. On defense, Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban are the two guys to target. Both players see big minutes of ice-time and live on the point of the team’s #1 power-play unit.

Despite two rather favorable matchups to begin the season, the Penguins dropped both games and only managed to score one goal in the process. They should be highly motivated to get things turned around in their home opener, but Montreal Canadiens are not a team you want to face when you’re trying to break out of a slump. With that said, no other team in the NHL boasts the offensive firepower of these Penguins. Both of their top two lines are loaded with All-Stars and guys who have produced at a point-per-game clip for years. Both very lethal top two forward lines are in play tonight, but considering the very tough matchup, they seem better fit for GPP use once you factor in their hefty salaries. David Perron was spotted skating alongside Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist on the second forward line and is looks to be underpriced considering his offensive prowess and current opportunity. Kris Letang remains an offensive force on the blue-line and offers some reasonably priced exposure to the big guns up front.

Elite Plays

MON: Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, P.K. Subban
PIT: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin

Secondary Plays

MON: Brendan Gallagher, Alex Galchenyuk, Lars Eller, Alexander Semin, Andrei Markov, Carey Price
PIT: Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist, David Perron, Chris Kunitz

Winnipeg Jets at New York Rangers – 07:00 PM EDT

Winnipeg Jets					New York Rangers
			Ondrej Pavelec					Henrik Lundqvist
			Record					Record
			43-26					53-22
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.72	2.49	17.80%	81.80%	Team Stats	3.02	2.28	16.80%	84.30%

Winnipeg fell short in a hard-fought battle with the cross-town Islanders yesterday afternoon, and once again have a very tough task ahead of them as they head to Madison Square Garden to battle the Rangers. Facing the Rangers is never easy, and even though it’s very early in the season, battling them on the second half of back-to-back games is definitely a concern here. Despite the 2-0 start the Jets were off to, they were beat up by the Islanders yesterday and badly outshot 44-24. However, this is a talented hockey club that should be motivated to finish off their four game tour of the Eastern Conference with two points before heading home for the first time this season later this week. The Ladd/Little/Wheeler line was the Jets’ only consistent source of offense last season, but with another year of growth under his belt, Mark Scheifele has looked very capable of elevating the Jets’ second line into fantasy relevance. The former first round pick (Scheifele) has lit the lamp in each of the first three games and should on his 49 point season from the 2014-15 season. Dustin Byfuglien remains a fantasy bright-spot on the blue-line for the Jets and is very willing to jump into the play offensively. I expect the Jets to bounce-back from yesterday’s letdown, but this is a very tough matchup and i’ll likely be withholding my exposure to them for GPP use only.

Despite being outshot in all three games thus far, the New York Rangers have ridden Henrik Lundqvist to a 3-0 record and once again look like an elite team in the Metropolitan position. The President’s Trophy winning Rangers posted a 25-11-5 record at Madison Square Garden last season and allowed just 2.34 goals against per game (the 3rd best in the NHL). With Winnipeg having played yesterday afternoon in Brooklyn, we should see Mats Zuccarello on the Rangers top forward line and power-play unit, and after the Rangers utilize the last line change and fresh legs to finally get Rick Nash on the scoreboard. Nash is slated to skate alongside Derick Brassard and after compiling 42 goals last season, he’s a top-tier option this evening. Their second forward line (Kreider, Stepan and Hayes) has some GPP intrigue as well, as all three guys also see time with the man advantage. Ryan McDonagh may be the stabilizing force on the Rangers blue-line, but it’s Keith Yandle that provides the most fantasy value. The playing making defenseman has already picked up three assists on the young season and sees huge minutes on the point of the top power-play unit.

Elite Plays

WPG: Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien
NYR: Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, Keith Yandle, Henrik Lundqvist

Secondary Plays

WPG: Mark Scheifele, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mathieu Perreault
NYR: Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh

Nashville Predators at New Jersey Devils – 07:00 PM EDT

Nashville Predators					New Jersey Devils
			Pekka Rinne					Keith Kinkaid
			Record					Record
			47-25					32-36
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.76	2.46	16.20%	80.80%	Team Stats	2.15	2.55	19.30%	80.60%

After a disappointing finish to the 2014-15 season, the Predators have come out of the gates hungry to start 2015-16. Known for their stifling defense and bruising defense, they certainly haven’t disappointed Peter Laviolette through two games. The Predators shutout the talented Edmonton Oilers in their last outing and have another nice matchup on the books for tonight in New Jersey. While they’re rarely going to provide offensive fireworks, Nashville is a heavy favorite by Vegas standards and hold a huge puck possession advantage (52.7 CF% vs 47.2 CF% for NJ) over the Devils. Up front, the top two forward lines produce nearly all of Nashville’s scoring chances and all six guys see regular time with the man-advantage, so that’s definitely where you’ll want to focus your attention. Filip Forsberg scored his first goal of the season on Saturday night, and after leading this team in scoring as just a 20 year-old last season, he could be in for a monster season with Mike Ribeiro and James Neal sharing the ice with him. Nashville’s defensive core is as deep as any team in the league and contains three guys who offer plenty of fantasy upside. Roman Josi and Shea Weber are rock solid options on a nightly basis and the developing Seth Jones continues to see his responsibilities increase. Between the pipes, Pekka Rinne is not only an elite goaltender, but this is also an elite matchup.

The Devils have lost both of their first games this season, and after averaging just 22.5 shots on goal in those games, it’s hard to envision them stealing two points from this defensively stout Predators team. Only the Buffalo Sabres averaged fewer shots last season than the Devils and it seems that they failed to do much over the offseason to expect things to be much different this time around. I’ll likely be avoiding the Devils altogether this evening, but Michael Cammalleri at least deserves some consideration. Their leading scorer from last season picked up a goal and two assists during those first two games and did light the lamp against the Predators last season.

Elite Plays

NAS: Filip Forsberg, James Neal, Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Pekka Rinne
NJD: None

Secondary Plays

NAS: Mike Ribeiro, Colin Wilson, Craig Smith, Seth Jones
NJD: Michael Cammalleri, Kyle Palmieri, Adam Henrique

San Jose Sharks at Washington Capitals – 07:00 PM EDT

San Jose Sharks					Washington Capitals
			Martin Jones					Braden Holtby
			Record					Record
			40-33					45-26
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.73	2.76	21.60%	78.50%	Team Stats	2.89	2.43	25.30%	81.20%

Last season was extremely disappointing for the Sharks as they fell apart down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. However, with what looks to be pretty much the same team on paper, they’re off to a nice 2-0 start this season. Deciding whether this team is “experienced” and ready to make one last deep playoff run or simply on the decline is up for debate, but there’s no denying the offensive talented lying on the team’s top two forward lines. The talented duo of Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski are joined by the intriguing (and cheap) Joonas Donskoi on teams top forward line, with Patrick Marleau and future face of the franchise Logan Couture being joined by the rugged Joel Ward on the second line. For the most part, the Sharks are lined with stable, stay-at-home defenseman with one very notable exception; Brent Burns. The 6’5” former forward is very aggressive in the offensive zone and is his rocket slapshot is a major weapon from the point of the Sharks’ #1 power-play unit.

The Capitals may have be without star Nicklas Backstrom for the beginning of the season, but their offense didn’t miss a beat in the opener as they hung a 5-spot on the New Jersey Devils. They’ll welcome the Sharks to the Verizon Center with hopes of staying hot. Alexander Ovechkin is one of the most offensively talented players in the world, and it’s no secret that he’s the key to this Capitals attack. He’ll likely be shadowed by the tough defense of Logan Couture, but he’s matchup proof and simply skating alongside of him gives both T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov plenty of fantasy value. The second line of Marcus Johansson, Andre Burakovsky and Justin Williams made some noise in the opener and looks to give Coach Trotz a solid secondary scoring option. With Washington owning the league’s top power-play last season (25.3%), and the Sharks 24th in the league in penalty kill percentage, grabbing some exposure to the Caps #1 power-play line looks like a very strong play.

Elite Plays

SAN: Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns
WAS: Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, John Carlson

Secondary Plays

SAN: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joel Ward, Joonas Donskoi
WAS: Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Justin Williams, Matt Niskanen

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