By Daniel Dobish on December 16, 2011
The schedule is light on Friday night, but there are still some very good matchups set to take place. The Leafs and Sabres renew their rivalry for the first time this season. We’ll also get a couple of interconference matchups when the Flames-Panthers and Stars-Devils drop the puck. The Ducks will also look for their first two-game winning streak since rattling off four straight wins from Oct. 8-17.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres 7:30pm ET
These two Northeast Division rivals meet for the first time this season. It hasn’t been good news for the blue and white in Buffalo lately, as they are 9-25-2 in their past 36 trips down the QEW, and they have won just four of 17 meetings overall in the series. At $196K, the Sabres TG might be one of the better options on the board. Leafs RW Joffrey Lupul carries a four-game points streak into play, making him a good play at $160K. He has a goal and three assists with a plus-5 rating during the span. D Luke Schenn is scoreless over his past two games, but he continues to produce fantasy points. Overall his past 10 games, he has a goal, six points, 43 hits, 16 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating. Schenn costs $155K. Sabres C Derek Roy might be a steal at $91K, as he has a goal and four points with 12 SOG over his past five. He is averaging 9.8 fantasy points per game during the span.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators 7:30pm ET
After a six-game points streak, LW Nick Foligno comes in scoreless over the past three games. Beware when spending $132K, as better options might be available. Pens D Matt Niskanen has three assists with a plus-3 rating over his past three games, and he has at least 11 fantasy points in four of his past five. Not bad production for just $124K. LW Chris Kunitz is back on the power play with C Sidney Crosby (concussion) sidelined, and he is producing. He has two assists with six SOG, seven hits and two PIM over his past three. He’ll set you back $122K. As mentioned, Crosby remains out indefinitely, so avoid him at $150K.
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers 7:30pm ET
In the past four meetings between these sides, the road team has been victorious in each game. Overall, the Flames are 5-1-2 in their past eight trips to Sunrise. As such, the Flames TG might be worth a look at $197K. C Brendan Morrison costs $103K, but his salary received a bump because of a two-game stretch from Dec. 6-8 when he posted six points. Outside of those games, he has been doing little. Don’t get suckered in. D Mark Giordano (leg) remains sidelined, so avoid him at what looks like a deal of $128K. Panthers D Dmitry Kulikov costs $112K, but he hasn’t been giving fantasy owners anything close to what they’re paying for. He has just eight total fantasy points over the past three games. Panthers RW Kris Versteeg ($165K) comes in on a four-game points streak, posting three goals and five points with a plus-3 rating during the span.
Dallas Stars at New Jersey Devils 8pm ET
The Stars have not shined very bright in Newark, losing five of their past six trips to New Jersey. Overall, the home team has come away with a win in nine of the past 11 meetings in this series. LW Brendan Morrow ($122K) has two goals and four points in four games since returning from injury, and he has nine SOG, 11 hits, four blocked shots and six PIM during the span. C Mike Ribeiro has been hot lately, posting a goal and six points over his past six games. At $119K, he is an attractive option. D Alex Goligoski (hand) is scoreless in four games since returning from a hand injury, but he has managed nine SOG, two hits and nine blocked shots. He is a steal at $52K for when the goals and assists start coming.
Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks 8:30pm ET
The Ducks hit the road for the Windy City, and they have blown out of there with just two wins in their past eight trips. The favorite has claimed victory in 17 of the past 25 meetings in this series. The Ducks have been struggling, but RW Corey Perry has been hot. He has five goals and 12 points over his past 10 games. At $163K, he is worth a look. LW Bobby Ryan is even hotter lately, and cheaper at $134K. He has three goals and five points with six hits and seven PIM over the past four. Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook has just one assist over his past five games, but he is still producing. He has 11 SOG, 15 hits and 14 blocked shots during the span. At $111K, he is a nice fantasy option even if he isn’t penciling his name onto the scoresheet.
Posted in Daily Fantasy Hockey NHL |
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