NHL Grind Down: Wednesday, December 20th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2017-12-20 19:58:31 Premium Content Part of the product SimLabs+

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

Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets

Toronto Maple Leafs					Columbus Blue Jackets
			Curtis McElhinney					Joonas Korpisalo
			Record					Record
			21-13-1					20-13-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.15	2.82	20.62	81.90	Team Stats	2.76	2.71	10.20	82.42

Maple Leafs Offensive Outlook

5v5 (adj): 59.3 CF/60 (14) | 59.26 CA/60 (12) | 2.61 xGF/60 (2) | 2.42 xGA/60 (5)

Fresh off an early afternoon curb stomping of the Hurricanes, Toronto will look to keep the offense surging with a date against the slumping Blue Jackets. Columbus has seen their quality of chances allowed go up, and they are now in the top ten for highest expected goals allowed at 5v5.

It doesn’t sound like Auston Matthews is ready to return, so expect the lineup to mirror yesterday’s offer. If it works, don’t break it. William Nylander and Mitch Marner are coming off big games, and each promising young talent has upside tonight. Nylander is skating with Patrick Marleau and Zach Hyman while Marner remains with Tyler Bozak and James van Reimsdyk.

Without Matthews, the Bozak line is the high upside line of the group. Nylander should remain a fine play and Marleau has been better than billed. Nazem Kadri is skating between Leo Komarov and Connor Brown on arguably the lowest floor line.

There’s certainly some let down appeal with Toronto after their dominant performance, as they went in to last game in something of poor form offensively. Of course, Columbus is entering this one in poor form of their own, at least from a defensive perspective. Considering the size of the slate and the fact that 33% of the teams participating consist of Detroit and Philadelphia, this isn’t a bad place to look for offense.

Maple Leafs Special Teams Outlook
Though Toronto has been one of the best power play teams in the league this year, it may not help them in tonight’s matchup. Not only have the Blue Jackets been strong on the penalty kill, but they simply don’t go shorthanded very often, averaging just 2.7 times per game on average.