Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Boston could lay a familiar bruising on the Leafs

December 10, 2016 Josh Ghatak Leave a comment

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday, Dec. 10:

Triple Threat

RW David Pastrnak (63K), LW Brad Marchand (66K), C Tim Schaller (25K), Bruins (vs. Maple Leafs): Boston ranks first in Corsi For Percentage, while the Leafs sit third last in scoring chances against per 60 minutes. Though Boston's struggled to convert on their chances - 25th in goals for per game but sit second in shots for per game - they stand a much better chance against the defensively-inept Maple Leafs.

C Brandon Dubinsky (37K), RW Cam Atkinson (56K), D David Savard (25K), Blue Jackets (vs. Islanders): Dubinsky and Atkinson have combined for 18 points in their past two games. They're likely to keep that hot streak going against an Islander team allowing the fifth most shots against per game and 10th most goals against per game.

C Sean Monahan (46K), LW Johnny Gaudreau (62K), D Dennis Wideman (29K), Flames (vs. Jets): Monahan and Gaudreau have combined for six power play points in their past four and 13 points overall in that stretch. The Jets have taken the second most minor penalties this year and sit 25th on the penalty kill. There's big potential here with daily fantasy sites awarding bonuses for power play points.

Goalie Breakdown

TARGET - Tuukka Rask (94K), Bruins (vs. Maple Leafs): Rask sports a 14-4-2 record and 1.79 GAA this year. Look for him to pick up his 15th win as he's dominated Toronto in career, going 15-3-2 in 22 career starts. With the Leafs sitting third in shots per game, Rask could rack up plenty of saves and a win in this matchup.

BARGAIN - Aaron Dell (79K), Sharks (vs. Hurricanes): Martin Jones started Friday and Wednesday, so look for Dell to get the nod against Carolina. Dell previously stopped 32 of 33 shots in 0-1 loss against the 'Canes back on Novermber 15. A win should be in the cards this time, however. The Sharks are 9-4 at the Tank this year.

FADE - Frederik Andersen (92K), Maple Leafs (at Bruins): Andersen's been mediocre this year, sporting a 2.87 GAA and .911 SV%. His road record of 2-3-4 doesn't instill much confidence in rostering him, though. Assuming Boston peppers him with shots like they have other opposing goalies, it could be a long (or short) night for Andersen.

CONTRARIAN - Roberto Luongo (88K), Panthers (vs. Canucks): Luongo is 0-2-1 in his past three starts and has given up four goals in each of his past two contests. A revenge game against Vancouver could right the ship. Vancouver's offense has been dreadful for most of the season, and they sit a full five points behind Florida in CF%.

Bargain Plays

D Justin Schultz (25K), Penguins (at Lightning): Schultz is one of the league's hottest players, registering seven points in four December games. There is no reason for him to be priced at the Squad Up minimum. With Pittsburgh racking up goals at will, Schultz should continue his recent hot play.

RW Patrik Laine (38K), Jets (at Flames): Like Schultz, Laine is blatantly mispriced. The league's leading goal scorer may run up against a hot goalie in Chad Johnson, but he still has to be rostered at this price. Calgary sits first in penalty minutes and 26th on the PK.

C Tim Schaller (25K), Bruins (vs. Maple Leafs): Schaller's picked up a goal and assist in his past three games and registered three shots in six of his last seven games. He's only averaging 12 minutes of ice time on the season, but he's played over 15 minutes in four straight.

Top Fades

C Joe Thornton (47K), Sharks (vs. Hurricanes): Thornton has just two goals on the season and four assists in his past 10 games. His fantasy floor is also an absolute zero as Thornton has just 27 shots in 27 games. Carolina sports the league's top PK unit and sit 10th in goals against per game.

D Dustin Byfuglien (47K), Jets (at Flames): Byfuglien has only four power play assists this year. 15 of his 19 points have instead come at even-strength. With the Flames often putting themselves down a man, daily fantasy players should target Winnipeg forwards like Laine instead of the backend.

C Henrik Sedin (51K), Canucks (at Panthers): Henrik does most his damage via passing and puck possession. With Florida ranking as a much better team in terms of possession, and their top line sporting a CF% of 56.6, Henrik will have a tough time playing to his strengths. Look to a true goal scorer at his price point.

Contrarian Options

C Mike Ribeiro (34K), Predators (at Coyotes): Ribeiro has racked up eight dimes in his past 10 games. The Coyotes sit last in CF% and last in scoring chances against per 60. This is a perfect matchup for Ribeiro to dominate the puck and set up his teammates.

LW Anders Lee (34K), Islander (at Blue Jackets): Lee has seven goals in his past eight outings. The Islanders could fall behind a rolling Columbus squad and be forced to up their tempo. Look for Lee to benefit from this projected game flow, as he's fired 11 shots in his past three games.

C Andrew Shaw (43K), Canadiens (vs. Avalanche): Shaw's seen his ice time jump drastically with the barrage of injuries currently impacting Montreal. As a result, he's picked up five points in his last five. Colorado sits 25th in goals against per game, while Montreal is one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.

All advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.

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