NHL Grind Down: Wednesday, March 29th
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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Chicago Blackhawks at Pittsburgh Penguins
| Chicago Blackhawks | Pittsburgh Penguins | ||||||||
 | Corey Crawford |  | Matt Murray | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 48-21-7 | 46-18-11 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.95 | 2.59 | 18.70% | 77.40% | Team Stats | 3.40 | 2.75 | 22.40% | 80.40% |
Chicago has done something that they haven’t done in a very long time and that’s give up 12 goals over two consecutive games. With a 7-0 loss at Florida followed up by a 5-4 overtime loss it seems like the Blackhawks were more focused on beach time than ice time. Tonight they make their way back towards home with a stop in Pittsburgh tonight. Chicago leads the Central Division by seven points with six games left to go so it’s time to get back on the horse and start riding. Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin anchor the top line while it looks like Tanner Kero will get his shot to skate to stay with the two talented forwards for at least one more game. Kane’s nine points over the last eight games has only added to his team leading 82 points which has come in just 76 games. Pittsburgh has almost been as bad as Chicago as they have given up 10 goals in their last two games which is why the second line of Jonathan Toews, Richard Panik and Nick Schmaltz are in play here tonight. There’s not too many offensive teams in action tonight so pairing Toews and Schmaltz together may not be a bad idea as they each have snagged seven points over the last eight games. Defenseman Duncan Keith is the play on the back line as he soaks up most of the power play time along with Kane, Panarin, Toews and Panik. Chicago has scored three goals over the last four games with the extra man which makes Keith’s 51 points look like one of the better defensive plays of the night.
The Penguins have had more than their share of injuries this season but have seemed to weather the storm quite well. The team has 103 points going into tonight’s game which has already claimed a playoff spot as they sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Both Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang were skating before practice yesterday but it’s unclear what their status actually is as they did not skate on a regular line. Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary is the chalk here on a four game slate as Crosby leads the team with 82 points while Sheary has collected his 50 points in 55 games played. Bryan Rust skates with them on the top line that should have the more lucrative match ups throughout the night. Nick Bonino will center the second line with Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist while Phil Kessel skates on the team’s third line. If Malkin comes back the Penguins will probably just move Bonino to the third line so sticking with the top line here is more than likely the way to go for cash game play tonight. Defenseman Justin Schultz could be the play of the night from the back line as he quarterbacks the team’s top power play unit that has scored four goals over the last six games. Schultz has 48 points in the 72 games he has suited up for. This should be a good one so sit back with your favorite beverage and enjoy.
Elite Plays
CHI: Patrick Kane
PIT: Sidney Crosby
Secondary Plays
CHI; Artemi Panrin, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Richard Panik, Nick Schmaltz
PIT: Conor Sheary, Phil Kessel, Justin Schultz, Patric Hornqvist
Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames
| Los Angeles Kings | Calgary Flames | ||||||||
 | Ben Bishop |  | Brian Elliott | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 35-33-7 | 43-29-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.40 | 2.47 | 19.40% | 84.80% | Team Stats | 2.72 | 2.66 | 20.30% | 80.80% |
The Los Angeles Kings are the last team waiting to get eliminated from the Western Conference playoffs. Their 77 points is 11 points away from the St Louis Blues who hold the eighth and final playoff spot going into tonight’s action. What’s worse is that there are only seven games left to play so a loss here and a Blues win later on will seal the deal. Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli and Trevor Lewis skated on the top line in last night’s 2-1 loss to the Oilers as Marian Gaborik found himself a healthy seat in the press box. It’s been noted many time here this season that Gaborik is easily on the downswing of a decent NHL career and it’s only a matter of time before he and Jarome Iginla retire. Speaking of Iginla, he skates on the second line with Anze Kopitar and Tanner Pearson as he scored the only goal in last night’s game. Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin continue to man the points on the Kings power play lines that have scored just two goals over the last seven games. Although Carter leads the team with 31 goals and 61 points maybe it’s best to pair Kopitar with one of his line mates here as has grabbed six of his 46 points over the last seven games. He will probably not draw Calgary’s top defensive line either as they will more than likely be trying to keep Carter and Company off of the score sheet tonight.
The Flames are just one point away from clinching a playoff spot and should be able to pick that up against the Los Angeles Kings tonight. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan are the chalk plays here as they not only skate on the top line but get the shoulder tap when the Flames draw a penalty as well. Gaudreau leads the team with 58 points in 66 games while Monahan and his 56 points are just a step away. Michael Ferland joins them at even strength and could be used for some salary relief here tonight. Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik skate on the team’s second line and could make a nice tournament play here. With only four games tonight we have to look at lines that may go unnoticed but have a decent ceiling. This is probably the best we are going to get tonight as the perception of the Kings defense is that is pretty good. If they get down early the balloon may just deflate altogether with the knowledge that they will be eliminated from the playoffs by games end. Kris Versteeg and troy Brouwer skate with Monahan and Gaudreau on the top power play unit that has found the back of the net four times in the last two games. For all of the power play time that T.J. Brodie has received one would think that he could muster more than 31 points so far this season, especially when fellow Dougie Hamilton has more assists that Brodie has points. Hamilton is the cash play here as his 48 points is good enough for fourth on the team.
Elite Plays
LAK: Jeff Carter
CGY: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan
Secondary Plays
LAK: Anze Kopitar, Tyler Toffoli, Drew Doughty, Tanner Pearson
CGY: Dougie Hamilton, Mikael Backlund, Matthew Tkachuk
Washington Capitals at Colorado Avalanche
| Washington Capitals | Colorado Avalanche | ||||||||
 | Philipp Grubauer |  | Calvin Pickard | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 50-17-8 | 20-52-3 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 3.20 | 2.16 | 22.70% | 84.50% | Team Stats | 1.93 | 3.36 | 12.70% | 77.00% |
Now that Alexander Ovechkin is on a complete tear it may not seem fair that they play the hopeless Colorado Avalanche tonight. The top line of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie have combined for 12 goals and 15 assists over the last six games so on paper this looks like a slam dunk. Washington has a three point lead over the rest of the league and should be able to improve on that tonight with Columbus not playing until tomorrow night. Marcus Johansson joins the top line to form the team’s top power play unit that has scored seven goals in the last four games. Five of Johansson’s seven assists have come with the extra man over the last six games so it’s evident that he has been getting in on the action by getting some exposure to Ovechkin and the rest of the crew. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams skate with him at even strength and make for a decent tournament play here against a Colorado team that has given up a staggering 29 goals in the last six games. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is starting to embrace his leadership role from the point as he not only quarterbacks the team’s top power play unit, he has grabbed five points over the last six games. Look for Washington to boat race the listless Avalanche in front of their home crowd tonight.
The best thing that could happen to the Colorado Avalanche would be the season ending tomorrow. Unfortunately they have to wait until April 10th to not have anything to do for the rest of the summer. As mentioned above they have given up a ton of goals over the last two weeks while scoring more than two goals in just five of the last 15 games. This is not the thing we need for cash game play with only eight teams in action. You know when Sven Andrighetto leads you team with four goals and two assists in the last six games you are a team in trouble. Andrighetto skates with Nathan MacKinnon And Mikko Rantanen on the top line which could be the closest thing we can get to being a decent tournament play. They will surely be under owned and if Washington decides to take the night off, they certainly could slip in a goal or two under the right circumstances. I wouldn’t bank on that though. Matt Duchene centers Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Nieto on the team’s second line and as with all Avalanche players it’s tough to trust them in cash games. Duchene does lead the team with 17 goals so there’s that. Defenseman Tyson Barrie is the selection from the back line as his 34 points is tied for third best on the team.
Elite Plays
WSH: Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Ovechkin
COL: None
Secondary Plays
WSH: T.J. Oshie, Kevin Shattenkirk, Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov
COL: Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, Tyson Barrie
St. Louis Blues at Arizona Coyotes
| St. Louis Blues | Arizona Coyotes | ||||||||
 | Jake Allen |  | Mike Smith | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 41-28-6 | 27-40-9 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.80 | 2.65 | 21.70% | 84.80% | Team Stats | 2.31 | 3.20 | 14.30% | 78.10% |
He we have another decent offense going against a bad team playing at home. This is the second game of a home-and-home series between these two teams that saw the Blues win 4-1 in front of their home crowd on Monday night. Tonight should not have a different outcome as the Blues are clearly the better team here regardless of if the Coyotes top defensive line can shut them down or not. Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen will probably be the highest owned line of this game as Tarasenko leads the team with 35 goals and 68 points while Steen has garnered 35 assists which is tops on the team. Schwartz hasn’t done bad either over the last six games as he has lit the lamp four times to go along with three assists. Patrik Berglund jumps up from the second line to join the talented trio on the team’s top power play unit that hasn’t scored a goal in the last four games. Magnus Paajarvi and David Perron join Berglund at even strength and is another line that could pay some dividends if you were to stack them as a GPP play tonight. Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has done a nice job on the back line as he has grabbed 10 points in the last 13 games with four of them coming with the man advantage. The Blues should be able to pull this one out against the golf-bound Arizona Coyotes.
Besides scoring four goals against the Tampa Bay Lightning back on March 21st the Coyotes have scored just 4 goals in the last six games. This isn’t good for DFS purposes so maybe we have to hope that the Blues come out a bit overconfident enough to give up a few goals tonight. Let’s assume that Arizona will score a few goals, where do they come from? Max Domi, Radim Vrbata and Christian Dvorak are the most likely candidates to score as Vrbata leads the team with 18 goals and 35 assists. Meanwhile the second line of Tobias Rieder, Jordan Martinook and Brendan Perlini has been all but dormant of late as Rieder is the only one to find the score sheet in the last seven games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is the safest bet on the back line as he quarterbacks the top power play unit that has scored just one goal in the last eight games. That’s about as dismal as it gets. Obviously, if you are thinking of using any of these for anything other than a tournament play or a cash game punt, you may have to get your head examined.
Elite Plays
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen
ARZ: None
Secondary Plays
STL: Jaden Schwartz, Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron, Patrik Berglund
ARZ: Max Domi, Radim Vrbata, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Tobias Rieder