NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, October 24th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2017-10-25 01:19:20 Premium Content Part of the product SimLabs+

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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.

Stackability Rating System (Offense):

Green : Friendly matchup at 5v5 and/or on the power play; multiple lines worth stacking
Yellow : Line specific matchup at 5v5 and/or friendly power play matchup
Orange : Stacking is best left for GPPs, secondary scoring units and/or power play in tough matchup
Red : Difficult 5v5 and/or power play matchup, stacking not advisable

Stackability Rating System (Goalies):

Green : Goalie has a plus draw and is playable in all formats
Yellow : There is risk at 5v5 or the penalty kill; iffy for cash games and better for GPPs
Orange : Realistic risk at 5v5 and the penalty kill; not advisable in cash games but viable in GPPs
Red : Elevated risk in all situations and not a recommend crease to chase

Edmonton Oilers at Pittsburgh Penguins

Edmonton Oilers					Pittsburgh Penguins
			Cam Talbot					Matt Murray
			Record					Record
			1-4-0					4-3-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.00	3.14	15.80	68.20	Team Stats	3.33	4.33	27.60	82.90

Oilers Offensive Outlook

2016-17 5v5 (adj): 54.91 CF/60 (16) | 54.12 CA/60 (19) | 2.4 xGF/60 (3) | 2.28 xGA/60 (8)

We should see plenty of offense in Pittsburgh tonight with Connor McDavid in town. If only Antti Niemi could have made one more start as a Penguin…

Even with Matt Murray in net, the Oilers have a decent matchup on tap. Edmonton has the second best 5v5 xGF/60 while Pittsburgh xGA/60 is the third highest in the league. Pittsburgh is struggling with limiting shot volume and shot quality, making the Oilers skill players high floor and ceiling options.

The big news is that Leon Draisaitl might return tonight. He would likely slot right back on the top line next to McDavid, making the dynamic duo a force once again. No offense, Kailer Yammamoto, but it’s not your time on the top line yet (to be fair, he should have scored at least once already). Draisaitl and McDavid are a slam-dunk option so long as Dr. Drai returns and slot on the top line. Sidney Crosby cannot stop them, but only hope to contain them.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Milan Lucic, and Ryan Strome will likely see time against Evgeni Malkin and Pittsburgh’s second line. While the on-ice CA/60 are a bit better than that of the Crosby line — hey, Phil Kessel has some good shot suppression numbers relatively speaking — this is still a favorable matchup. The problem is that Edmonton’s second line doesn’t have strong shot generation numbers.

Along with McDavid and Draisaitl, Oscar Klefbom is in a great spot in this game. Individually Klefbom remains a source for some positive regression, and this is a great matchup to realize some of that. Darnell Nurse is a punt play option in tournaments as he has pumped his individual shot rate up a fair amount this year.

Oilers Special Teams Outlook
Despite their poor 5v5 numbers, the Penguins aren’t a favorable draw for Edmonton’s power play tonight. Pittsburgh has allowed the fewest rates of all of shot attempts, scoring chances, and high-danger shot attempts while shorthanded. Edmonton’s power play has actually been pretty good at shot and scoring chance generation this year, and that is with Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup for half the games.

Draisaitl’s return is certainly a boost for the team in all situations and he will only enhance Edmonton’s power play. He figures to push one of Mark Letestu or Ryan Strome off the top unit (likely Strome), though it’s also possible that Draisaitl goes to the second unit to keep the first team’s chemistry intact. Oscar Klefbom, Milan Lucic, and Connor McDavid round out the top team.