Corey Crawford Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

At the time of writing this (11 AM), we are not sure who will start for the Chicago Blackhawks, but whoever goes (either Crawford or Cam Ward) draws a good matchup, even on the road as Blackhawks' fans love to travel. While the Blackhawks are terrible defensively, much of that risk is mitigated by Anaheim's futility. The Ducks are averaging a paltry 1.58 goals per game since the All-Star break behind a group of washed-up veterans and youngsters. The Blackhawks check in as a small favorite with the lowest total of the night (6). If Crawford returns, it is a considerable upgrade from Cam Ward. Crawford checks in at just $7,600 on DraftKings and $7,500 on FanDuel. Ward is priced up a bit more but still viable given Anaheim's struggles to find the back of the net.

After a nightmare start to the season, the Ducks came alive on their road trip and have won six of their last seven games. However, this is an offense that is averaging the second-fewest goals per game (2.34 GF/G) in the National Hockey League. The defense in front of Corey Crawford is a nightmare, but Crawford is still one of the more gifted netminders, and this could be a flat spot for Anaheim coming back from their lengthy road trip. Crawford has dropped five consecutive starts, but he did record a win against the Ducks back in October, stopping 24 of 25 shots sent his way. At $6,900 on DraftKings and $7,700 on FanDuel, combined with the expected ownership on Anaheim's top line, Crawford is a worthy contrarian option in net on this super small slate.

The Anaheim Ducks have been skating on thin ice due to a number of injuries as they have allowed the most high danger chances (106) in the National Hockey League at 5v5 with the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks right behind them (104). Anaheim did get their captain Ryan Getzlaf back last time out who will help stabilize the team defense, but overall the Ducks have a lot of work to do to clean up their own end. Their biggest strength is John Gibson who has undoubtedly been the best netminder to start the season, stopping 244 of 257 shots faced for a razor sharp .949 save percentage. Gibson is priced up on FanDuel ($9,000) where he is the most expensive goalie, but he is an excellent value on DraftKings ($7,600). Conversely, opposing goalie Corey Crawford is expensive on DraftKings ($8,100), but checks in at just $7,700 on FanDuel, making him an excellent value there where the win is weighted so heavily.

There are several Central Division teams with low xGA/60 numbers in play tonight, yet Crawford back stops the one with the highest. What gives? Well, his opponent tonight -- fellow Central Division foe Minnesota -- has one of the lower xGF/60 in the league. Also, Winnipeg and St. Louis are meeting up again tonight while Crawford and the Hawks are rested. Over the past month, Chicago has tightened its defense up a bit and Crawford comes in in great form, having allowed six goals in four starts since his injury. Crawford is usually a goalie that provides a sound floor, making him a good starting point for roster building tonight.

Corey Crawford has been sensational so far this season in goal for the Chicago Blackhawks (2.21 GAA, .932 SV%), and he is the top option tonight on this nine-game slate. The Florida Panthers are not only playing on the tail end of a road back-to-back, they have also struggled to score away from home, ranking 30th overall in the National Hockey League in goals per game. Look for Crawford to make 30-plus saves tonight en route to the win.

With a game under his belt following a long injury layoff, Crawford should be ready to rock in a favorable home matchup. Though the defense in front of him always adds an unnecessary amount of risk to the equation, Crawford faces one of the weaker offenses in the league. Despite their young talent, the Coyotes enter with the league’s 29th expected goal rate at 5v5. That indicates they could struggle to exploit Chicago’s weaknesses on defense, and on home ice, Chicago tends to play a tighter game. Crawford gets an unneeded but welcomed small boost from Arizona playing in Columbus last night while Chicago is rested.

*Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks -* You could certainly make a case for Pekka Rinne as the top goalie this evening, but Corey Crawford has been arguably the best goaltender in the National Hockey League this season (2.29 GAA, .930 SV%), and his opponent tonight has a lot less fire power. The Buffalo Sabres don’t pose much of an offensive threat, sitting in the basement in goals per game, averaging just 2.14 per contest. Even more good news, Buffalo still unloads over 31 shots on goal per game, and with the Blackhawks allowing over 33 shots against, Crawford seems primed for a big night. A win and 30-plus saves seems like a lock for Crawford tonight, making him my top option between the pipes.

You could certainly make a case for Pekka Rinne as the top goalie this evening, but Corey Crawford has been arguably the best goaltender in the National Hockey League this season (2.29 GAA, .930 SV%), and his opponent tonight has a lot less fire power. The Buffalo Sabres dont pose much of an offensive threat, sitting in the basement in goals per game, averaging just 2.14 per contest. Even more good news, Buffalo still unloads over 31 shots on goal per game, and with the Blackhawks allowing over 33 shots against, Crawford seems primed for a big night. A win and 30-plus saves seems like a lock for Crawford tonight, making him my top option between the pipes.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a big favorite tonight on home ice and that moves Corey Crawford to the top of our cash game list. Crawford has been incredible so far this season (2.16 GAA, 935 SV%), single-handedly saving the Blackhawks season to this point. The Anaheim Ducks remain a banged up squad and they continue to struggle offensively, sitting 27th overall in goals per game. The Anaheim Ducks have the lowest projected goal total on the night, and this seems like a great spot to roll out Crawford in your cash game lineups. The Blackhawks goalie is not only your safest option in goal for cash games, he is also playable in GPPs, along with Sergei Bobrovsky, Devan Dubnyk and Matt Murray, all of whom have win and 35-plus save potential.

If you're looking to differentiate your lineup from the masses that will likely be rostering Jake Allen tonight, consider taking Corey Crawford. Entering tonight's game with a 7-5 record to go along with a stellar .945 SV%, Crawford has been Chicago's best player this season. A matchup against a potent Flyers team may seem risky, but they have received almost all of their scoring this season from their top line and enter tonight's game dead last in scoring chances this season. This bodes well for the veteran netminder, who should have no problems turning aside plenty of low quality shots to easily pay of his manageable price tag in a very winnable game for the Blackhawks.