NHL Grind Down: Wednesday, January 13th
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.
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Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs – 07:00 PM EST
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Toronto Maple Leafs | ||||||||
 | Sergei Bobrovsky |  | Jonathan Bernier | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 15-24-4 | 16-17-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.49 | 3.21 | 18.20% | 80.50% | Team Stats | 2.50 | 2.70 | 18.40% | 81.00% |
The Blue Jackets lost their fourth straight game last night against the Islanders in a somewhat embarrassing effort and now have posted an ugly 5-11-4 record over their last 20 games. Columbus now sits with the worst record in the NHL this season and there’s not much hope for a turnaround any time soon. On paper tonight’s matchup against the Maple Leafs looks like a decent one, but the Maple Leafs no longer look to be the pushover they were to start the season. With that said, Toronto has somewhat surprisingly been the second fastest paced team in the NHL this season (113.5 CP60) and Columbus still has some intriguing offensive weapons up front. With Ryan Johansen traded and Nick Foligno not in uniform, Scott Hartnell and Brandon Saad will surround Alexander Wennberg both on the top line and #1 power-play unit and will be asked to pick up the slack offensively. Hartnell picked up a goal and an assist in the only other meeting with Toronto this season and can rack up fantasy points in a myriad of ways. On defense, the newly acquired Seth Jones will join Ryan Murray on the point of the top power-play unit. While neither is an overly exciting option, they’re both moderately priced and have enough upside to make a difference in a GPP.
After an abysmal 2-8-4 start to the Mike Babcock era in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have actually played quiet respectably as the season has matured and now own 14-11-3 record over their last 28 games. With that said, they were blown off the ice in San Jose 7-0 on Saturday to close out a three game California road trip and have had three full off days to be laid into by Mr. Babcock. With their boss angry, I’m expecting an inspired performance from the Leafs tonight and the matchup against a cellar-dwelling Columbus team that has allowed a league worst 3.21 goals against per game this season gives them plenty of fantasy appeal. With their leading scorer James van Riemsdyk sidelined for an extended period of time, there’s plenty of value to be found within this forward unit. Tyler Bozak leads P.A. Parenteau and Shawn Matthias on the top line with Nazem Kadri skating with Leo Komarov and Michael Grabner on line 1B. Komarov scored a pair of goals in Toronto’s 6-3 beat down over the Blue Jackets in their only previous meeting this season and has posted five goals and nine assists over the last 14 games. Kadri also scored a goal in that first meeting and has racked up five goals and eight assists in those last 14 games. On defense, both Dion Phaneuf and Jake Gardiner soak up nearly all of the available time on the point of the power-play making them both fine options in all formats. Alternatively, former first round pick Morgan Rielly oozes offensive talent and is very capable of helping take down a GPP.
Elite Options
CBJ: Scott Hartnell
TOR: Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov, Tyler Bozak, Dion Phaneuf
Secondary Options
CBJ: Brandon Saad, Boone Jenner, Brandon Dubinsky, Seth Jones, Ryan Murray
TOR: P.A. Parenteau, Brad Boyes, Shawn Matthias, Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly
Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers – 08:00 PM EST
| Boston Bruins | Philadelphia Flyers | ||||||||
 | Tuukka Rask |  | Steve Mason | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-15-5 | 18-15-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.98 | 2.66 | 28.10% | 82.60% | Team Stats | 2.25 | 2.63 | 15.80% | 78.70% |
In a trend that makes almost no sense at all, the Bruins will take an impressive 12-4-3 road record with them to the City of Brotherly Love tonight to battle the suddenly streaking Philadelphia Flyers. Boston dropped a tough decision to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday night and have now fallen to just 2-6-1 over their last nine games. With the Bruins owning an NHL best 28.1% power-play and the Flyers struggling their way to a subpar 78.7% penalty kill, the outcome of this game will likely hinge on Boston’s effectiveness on the man-advantage. With that in mind, Patrice Bergeron shoots up my rankings tonight as he trails only Patrick Kane in the NHL with 19 power-play points on the young season. He’s slated to be joined by Loui Eriksson and Ryan Spooner up front on the #1 power-play with blue-liners Torey Krug and Colin Miller running things from the point. Spooner has been widely overlooked this season but posted four goals and added 13 assists over the last 16 games, making him a very intriguing value for both cash games and GPPs. Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand both headline the second power-play unit and are both fine options here as well.
The Flyers played one of their best games of the season on Saturday night as they cruised to a fairly easy 4-0 shutout victory over the New York Islanders and have now picked up wins in each of their last three games. The team was a bit of a train wreck to start the season but are now 12-6-2 over their last 20 games and climbing back into the playoff picture in the Metropolitan Division. Dave Hakstol recently shuffled things up offensively and, much to the cheer of daily fantasy players, has reunited the dynamic duo of Claude Giroux and Jakob Voracek on the top forward line alongside of the underrated Wayne Simmonds. While this trio will certainly receive all of the attention of defensive stalwarts Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, they’re still very fine options on a four game slate. While those three have most of my attention, the second line of Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl has been red-hot lately. Former first round pick Schenn has posted two goals and four assists in four games this month and is very reasonably priced across the industry. With rookie sensation Shayne Gostisbehere likely watching this one from the press-box, Mark Streit is easily the top option on the blue-line. He dished out three assists against the Bruins in their first meeting and is a major weapon on the point of their top power-play unit.
Elite Options
BOS: Patrice Bergeron, Loui Eriksson, Torey Krug
PHI: Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Mark Streit
Secondary Options
BOS: Brad Marchand, Ryan Spooner, Zdeno Chara, Colin Miller
PHI: Brayden Schenn, Michael Raffl, Sean Couturier, Michael Del Zotto
Florida Panthers at Calgary Flames – 09:30 PM EST
| Florida Panthers | Calgary Flames | ||||||||
 | Roberto Luongo |  | Jonas Hiller | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 26-12-5 | 19-20-2 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.63 | 2.12 | 16.70% | 82.10% | Team Stats | 2.63 | 3.12 | 14.60% | 73.50% |
The Panthers finally saw their 12 game winning streak come to an end in an overtime loss to the Canucks on Monday night, but this team has posted a remarkable 18-3-1 record over their last 22 game and have a fantasy friendly matchup on tap tonight against the defensively challenged Calgary Flames. The Panthers top line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr has been on an absolute tear lately and should benefit from the likely quick pace of this game. With that said, if you’re not picking on the league’s worst penalty kill on a four game slate, you’re living dangerously. The Flames have posted an absolutely atrocious 73.5% which solidifies the three members of that top line as excellent options and also introduces Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Pirri and Vincent Trocheck as secondary plays. Stud blue-line Aaron Ekblad was a somewhat late scratch on Monday night and is somewhat unlikely to play tonight as well. While it’s a big blow to the Panthers, it does open the door for Dmitry Kulikov and Brian Campbell to play some extra minutes and run the point of that #1 power-play unit.
After starting off the month of December with seven straight victories to pull themselves back into the playoff picture, Calgary has sputtered lately and own just 4-6-0 record in their last ten games. While the matchup against the NHL’s best defensive team in the Florida Panthers is clearly less than ideal, Calgary has been different team on home ice this season where they own a very solid 13-9-0 record. Calgary will be excited to get Jiri Hudler back into the mix offensively and he looks slated to join Mikael Backlund and Sam Bennett on a dangerous secondary scoring line. However, the duo of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan (not with Michael Ferland) are still the most appealing options. Both Gaudreau and Monahan have posted gaudy numbers at the Saddledome this season and can’t be ignored on tonight’s short slate. Defensively, Calgary is stacked with play-making blue-liners. Mark Giordano brings a five game point streak into tonight’s game and has amassed four goals and nine assists over the last ten games. He was well on his way to winning the defensive scoring crown last season before seeing his season cut short and is a top-tier defensive option tonight. The trio of Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Wideman and T.J. Brodie all also see a healthy dose of playing time with the man advantage and deserve your attention as well.
Elite Options
FLA: Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Mark Giordano
Secondary Options
FLA: Jussi Jokinen, Brandon Pirri, Vincent Trocheck, Brian Campbell, Dmitry Kulikov
CGY: Jiri Hudler, Sam Bennett, Michael Ferland, Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Wideman, T.J. Brodie
Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks – 10:00 PM EST
| Ottawa Senators | Anaheim Ducks | ||||||||
 | Craig Anderson |  | Frederik Andersen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 20-17-6 | 17-17-7 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.70 | 2.95 | 17.90% | 76.20% | Team Stats | 1.85 | 2.37 | 19.30% | 89.70% |
The Senators will continue a grueling five game road trip tonight as they head to Southern California to battle the Anaheim Ducks. Ottawa was laughed off the ice in Washington in their last game and have really struggled lately; posting a 6-10-1 record over their last 17 games. While their defensive efforts have certainly been in question lately, the Senators do still have several dangerous offensive weapons. The most lethal of those weapons just so happens to come from the blue-line as Erik Karlsson enters tonight’s game leading all NHL defensemen with 45 points (in 43 games). He won’t come cheap, but his offensive upside is unrivaled by any other defensemen tonight, making him a terrific GPP option. Up front, Kyle Turris is set to center Bobby Ryan and Mark Stone on a very underrated forward line while Mika Zibanejad will skate between Milan Michalek and Mike Hoffman on a dangerous second line. However, with Anaheim owning an incredible 89.7% penalty kill, you’ll want to keep your expectations in check a bit for Ottawa tonight.
The Ducks simply can’t seem to get much momentum going this season, but thanks to the putrid Pacific Division, last seasons #1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs is still very much in the playoff picture. While they own a league worst 1.85 goals per game on the season, something has to give tonight as Ottawa has been a disaster defensively lately and are allowing more shots on goal against per game than any other team in the league this season (33.4 SA/G). While the Ducks have lacked any sense of firepower throughout the season, their scoring is at least pretty predictable as both Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf team up on the top forward line and power-play unit to contribute a disproportionate amount of their offense. While those two are the easily the top options up-front for the Ducks, Ryan Kesler has finally come alive offensively over the last week. The former 40 goal scorer has racked up four goals over the last five games and may finally give Bruce Boudreau the secondary scoring he’s been searching for all season. On defense, both Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm have inherited some of Cam Fowler old responsibilities and are nice options while former first round pick Shea Theodore has logged 20+ minutes in each of the last three games and has the opportunities to be one of the better value plays on the board tonight.
Elite Options
OTT: Erik Karlsson
ANA: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry
Secondary Options
OTT: Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone
ANA: Rickard Rakell, Carl Hagelin, Ryan Kesler, Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, Shea Theodore