NHL Grind Down: Wednesday, January 24th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2018-01-24 22:42:15 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

Team Ranking Key
CF = Corsi For = shot attempts generated
CA = Corsi Allowed = shot attempts allowed
xGF = expected goals scored
xGA = expected goals allowed
Numbers in parentheses denote the league ranking for the particular metric.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Chicago Blackhawks

Toronto Maple Leafs					Chicago Blackhawks
			Frederik Andersen					Jeff Glass
			Record					Record
			26-18-5					22-19-6
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.08	2.90	20.44	83.78	Team Stats	2.96	2.79	14.86	82.67

Maple Leafs Offensive Outlook

5v5 (adj): 59.5 CF/60 (15) | 59.15 CA/60 (10) | 2.58 xGF/60 (1) | 2.44 xGA/60 (4)

The Leafs have been a reliable source of offense for the league and for DFS players. While it has been said they’re in a rut, they remain a strong generator of scoring chances and quality shot attempts at 5v5. They’re year-to-date numbers are near the top of the league, and over the past month, they have produced the league’s fourth best rate of scoring chances and second best rate of HD shot attempts per hour at 5v5.

Tonight’s matchup shouldn’t be one that is overly worrisome for Toronto. The Blackhawks have gotten much better in their own zone and shot attempts are back on the lower side, but they remain a team that struggles to suppress high-danger shot attempts.

One line in particular that is great at generating such attempts is the top line of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Zach Hyman. They are likely going to get a heavy dose of the Toews line from Chicago. While Toews remains a solid two way center, his lines remains a high-event trio that will give up their fair share of chances. The Matthews line would be better served going out against the Kane line, but it’s still not enough to really warrant concern.

Yesterday the Maple Leafs had some new looks to their lines. Keep an eye to see if they stick, as Toronto doesn’t always follow through with practice lines.

Tyler Bozak continues to play next to James van Riemsdyk, but Mitch Marner will move up to the second line to play with Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau. Connor Brown would take Marner’s spot on the third line.

If these lines stick, it’s easy to get enamored with the Kadri line, especially if they see a good deal of 5v5 time against the Kane line. At worst they will mostly avoid the Toews line. Kadri’s shooting percentage is due to come up a bit — he’s still getting the puck to the net — and he’s played well with Marleau. There is a lot of potential with this line, especially with Kadri and Marner playing together on the power play.