Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Can’t put a price on McDavid against a backup goalie

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Sunday's three-game slate (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):

Dynamic Duos

  • C Connor McDavid (78K) & LW Patrick Maroon (41K), Oilers (at Canadiens): Carey Price hasn't started on back-to-back days once this season, so expect Al Montoya (.909 SV%, 2.72 GAA) to man the crease on Sunday. This gives McDavid, the NHL's leading point-getter, even more upside. Maroon has developed great chemistry with the superstar.
  • LW Chris Kreider (61K) & RW Mats Zuccarello (58K), Rangers (vs. Flames): Calgary's goaltending situation has been turbulent for most of the season. The Rangers sit fourth in SCF60 (scoring chances for per 60 minutes). Kreider and Zuccarello both play on the first line and the top power-play unit. Calgary has been shorthanded more than any NHL team.

Bargain Plays

  • LW Jimmy Vesey (29K), Rangers (vs. Flames): Vesey doesn't play big minutes, but he plays on the second line with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash. He is second on the team with 3.89 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes).
  • D T.J. Brodie (25K), Flames (at Rangers): Brodie recorded back-to-back 40-point seasons from 2014-16. His production has tailed off this season, but he is coming off a four-point outing on Friday against New Jersey. He doesn't take many shots, so reserve him for tournament use.

Top Fades

  • G Al Montoya (106K), Canadiens (vs. Oilers): It's quite puzzling why a middling backup goaltender like Montoya is priced as the most expensive goaltender on the slate, especially on a back-to-back against the rested Oilers. Better options between the pipes can be found elsewhere, even on a three-game slate.
  • C Anze Kopitar (69K), Kings (at Capitals): The Capitals are the hottest team in the NHL right now. If you're going to invest in a Kings center, it should be the more productive and less expensive Jeff Carter.

Contrarian Options

  • G Peter Budaj (75K), Kings (at Capitals): Budaj not only looks like Jesus, but has been playing like the second-coming of Christ lately. He has allowed just three goals in his last five games, recording three shutouts. He'll be in tough to continue this strong play on the second game of a back-to-back against the red-hot Capitals, but it's tough to ignore the NHL's hottest goalie at 75K.
  • C Leon Draisaitl (53K), Oilers (at Canadiens): Squad Up users will likely be all over McDavid, therefore leaving his linemate Draisaitl with little ownership. He has had a fantastic season, yet still comes with a very economical salary.

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