NHL Grind Down: Wednesday, November 8th

by Ben (benwell311) Last Updated 2017-11-08 20:19:38 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

Minnesota Wild at Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota Wild					Toronto Maple Leafs
			Alex Stalock					Frederik Andersen
			Record					Record
			5-6-2					9-7-0
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.08	3.00	17.07	82.00	Team Stats	3.75	3.63	24.07	80.00

Wild Offensive Outlook

5v5 (adj) (13 games): 51.26 CF/60 (30) | 60.3 CA/60 (11) | 2.12 xGF/60 (23) | 2 xGA/60 (28)

Minnesota’s offense has not been producing strong numbers so far this year, but they are starting to get a bit healthier up front with Nino Niederreiter back in the fold. Tonight’s matchup is an interesting one. The Maple Leafs play up tempo so there should be breakout opportunities. The defensive metrics aren’t ugly, but goaltending has been a major problem this year. That has put Toronto in more high-scoring games than perhaps they should be in. It also gives some hope to underachieving offenses like Minnesota.

Eric Staal will lead the Wild attack on the first line, centering Jason Zucker and Chris Stewart. Zucker is always an interesting option when he’s in the the top six and getting healthy time on ice because he can pump shot volume. Stewart isn’t really interesting at this stage, even with a promotion. Staal remains a strong driver of play. The Leafs are pretty consistent in their 5v5 matchups, so Staal avoiding the Kadri line of Toronto would be big. While this isn’t Minnesota’s best line, Staal still tends to draw defensive attention.

The best line for Minnesota consists of Mikko Koivu, Nino Niederreiter, and Mikael Granlund. This is a legit scoring line, even if Koivu isn’t the strongest center. Toronto would be smart to put the Kadri/Rielly duo out against this line, and they probably will. Staal typically drives attention but his line being at less than full health could lead to diversion to this line. On a short slate, the risk is probably worth it for the Koivu line as they have great potential tonight.

At least one of the top two lines should benefit from a potentially Auston Matthews -less Leafs team tonight. It’s too bad Minnesota’s bottom six is weak, too, as the Toronto bottom six is beatable at 5v5. There should be better GPP third lines to look at in the other two games on tonight’s slate.