David Rittich Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Mike Smith has taken a backseat to David Rittich this month, but he put together a fine effort Sunday night in Arizona, making 28 saves on 29 shots. While Smith is unlikely to see shots tonight with Dallas being on the tail end of a back-to-back, Dallas' offense is far from intimidating. They may have the talented top line, but the top line has done absolutely nothing on the road where Dallas is averaging just 1.92 goals per game. If you take away their six goal explosion 10 days ago, here are the Stars' goal totals in road games recently: 0 (last night), 2, 1, 1, 1, 1. Smith will be backed by the National Hockey League's best offense on home ice (4.45 GF/G), and while generally Smith is scary, he makes a lot of sense in all formats given that the Flames check in as the largest favorite of the evening.

**Edit @ 1 PM - David Rittich will get the call instead, and he is the same price as Smith on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Even though some regression will eventually come Rittich's way, it is unlikely to start tonight against this poor road team. Rittich has allowed three goals or less in every start and sports a 8-2 record, 2.04 goals against average and rock solid .930 save percentage**

Why not play him? Rittich is 5-1 in eight appearances with a surprising 1.91 goals against average and .935 save percentage. The fear of Connor McDavid of course is there, but outside of McDavid, the Oilers are not getting much production. The Oilers scored six last time out against Antti Niemi, but prior to that they had dropped four consecutive games, mustering just six goals in the process. Overall, the Flames' defense has been solid, even with Mike Smith letting goals in for fun. A closer look reveals Calgary has allowed more than three goals just once in nine games since the Penguins put nine past them on 10/25. Rittich's salary is reasonable across the industry, particularly on FanDuel ($7,600) which gives him tournament appeal.

Mikko Koskinen was recommended the other night against the Chicago Blackhawks, and he did not disappoint, recording a 40 save shutout against a Chicago team that has now dropped four consecutive games. The Blackhawks have managed to find the back of the net just three times over their last 10 periods of hockey, and while Mike Smith has been awful for the most part, he is an interesting boom-or-bust option in tournaments. The Flames have won three straight games and last season Smith was 3-0 against the Blackhawks with a 2.64 goals against average and .921 save percentage. The best part about Smith is he cheap on both DraftKings ($7,500) and FanDuel ($7,400). The Blackhawks have been unable to convert their chances recently, and Smith has shown some upside with a 43 save shutout victory in Nashville as well as a win in Toronto on Monday, allowing just a goal.

**Edit @ 12:55 - David Rittich will get the start for the Flames and emerges as a low-owned, high upside goalie option in tournaments. He is $7,300 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel. Rittich has been outstanding in his four starts, allowing two goals in Colorado (win), one goal at Madison Square Garden (win), three goals in Montreal (loss), and one goal at Buffalo (win). Fire him up in tournaments.**

It is yet another night where we are lacking safe options in net for your cash game lineup. However, with the Calgary Flames being the biggest favorite on the board and with the Buffalo Sabres having the lowest projected goal total on this three-game slate, it seems David Rittich is our best option. The Flames continue to play sound hockey on the road (18-10-6), and they should be able to take care of a much weaker Sabres squad tonight at the KeyBank Center. The win is a strong probability for Rittich tonight, and with the Sabres inability to score goals (sitting 31st overall in the National Hockey League in goals per game), he is your best chance at a shutout as well.