WELCOME BACK, 2020!!
The long wait is finally over and we have hockey again. With hockey being off so long and players not skating for the longest period of their lives more than likely, things are going to get weird. I am not looking to play Cash game with no data to go off of, I highly recommend sticking with GPPs and embracing the variance. Now for the first time in a while, let us get into it.
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
O/U 6.0, CAR -120
New York Rangers: The Rangers had a good run at the end of the season compared to a very messy start, lead by Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin. I think those two pick up where they left off and come out firing the puck. Shesterkin is projected to get the start and he should see a good amount of shots as the Hurricanes like to throw the puck onto the net.
5 star plays – Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin
4 star plays – none
Cash viable – Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin
GPP Sleeper – Filip Chytil
Carolina Hurricanes: Hurricanes made plenty of additions at the trade deadline to prepare for a deep playoff run. I think they will gather a good bit of ownership here and on the first day back I am very big on getting unique with your line ups, player such as Vincent Trocheck and Dougie Hamilton (if he plays) can go under the radar, outside of those two and a Necas punt I am not looking to load up here.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Dougie Hamilton, Vincent Trocheck
Cash viable – Martin Necas
GPP Sleeper – Martin Necas
Dec 14, 2019; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) defends during the third period against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Blackhawks @ Edmonton Oilers
O/U 6.5, EDM -140
Chicago Blackhawks: Highest total game on the slate and for fair reason with Edmonton D being awful and Chicago trading away Lehner. Corey Crawford had a good expected save % over the season and should be in line to see a good amount of shots here. Patrick Kane is Patrick Kane and with most wanting to go McDavid and Draisaitl in this game I am hoping he can go under the radar.
5 star plays – Patrick Kane, Connor Murphy (FD), Corey Crawford
4 star plays – Dylan Strome, Connor Murphy (DK)
Cash viable – Patrick Kane, Connor Murphy (FD)
GPP Sleeper – Dominik Kubalik
Edmonton Oilers: Everyone and their mother is going to be stacking against Chicago this slate and as mentioned I am doing my best to stay away from the chalk here, if Crawford and stand on his head and hold McDavid and Draisaitl pointless or to an apple each, you have already leveraged so much of the field.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – none
Cash viable – Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl
GPP Sleeper – none
Florida Panthers @ New York Islanders
O/U 5.5, FLA -105
Florida Panthers: Lowest total slate on the game and for good reason, the Islanders play slow systematic hockey and the Panthers traded away one of their best players at the deadline. In a big field GPP stacks from this game are viable but outside of that I am not looking to roster either of these teams.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – none
Cash viable – none
GPP Sleeper – none
New York Islanders: Barzal is cheap enough on DK to be considered for cash but that is it.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Matthew Barzal
Cash viable – Matthew Barzal
GPP Sleeper – Matthew Barzal
Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
O/U 5.5, PIT -165
Montreal Canadiens: Pittsburgh even despite the injuries that have plagued them all year were one of the best defensive teams in hockey, now they are fully healthy against a Canadiens team that I do not feel is built well enough for a run into the playoffs. Fade.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – none
Cash viable – none
GPP Sleeper – none
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are great pivots off of the Edmonton chalk and they are cheaper as well. Conor Sheary looks to be attached to Sid’s wing again and once led the league in Points per 60 minutes when he was their for a whole season. Jason Zucker is with Malkin and will probably be lower owned than he should since most people are going to want Sheary.
5 star plays – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin
4 star plays – Kris Letang, Conor Sheary, Jason Zucker
Cash viable – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Conor Sheary
GPP Sleeper – Jason Zucker (FD)
Winnipeg Jets @ Calgary Flames
O/U 5.5, CGY -110
Winnipeg Jets: I am a big believer in the talent on this WPG team, especially the first line with Scheifele and Connor. Calgary has not looked strong all year and I am looking for the Jets to come out and shut them down.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Neal Pionk
Cash viable – Neal Pionk
GPP Sleeper – Neal Pionk
Calgary Flames: If Hellebuyck shows up this series at all I think it is over for the Flames, they have been a meddling team with no real ceiling all year
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – none
Cash viable – none
GPP Sleeper – none
If you have questions regarding these numbers or this chart, don’t hesitate to ask me on our coaching forums. Just tag me (@LowOwnedWR) and let’s get on the same page.
