Day 2 of the NHL season is a bit better than opening night from an entertainment perspective. The Leafs vs Habs is probably the headliner, with some other games sprinkled in with fun matchups all around. We have McDavid playing the Jets late. Any time we have Edmonton on a slate, there are tons of game theory tactics to think about. If I can get to Edmonton, I love being able to roster them; however, I am not going out of my way to jam them in. Whoever Vancouver starts in net is going to be my favorite goalie on the slate. I think that Calgary may finish dead last in goals for this season, and Vancouver will be buzzing at home. Now, let’s get to who we are building around for tournaments!
Correlated Snipe #1 – Auston Matthews – Mitchell Marner
It will be hard to fit 2 of Matthews, Mackinnon, and McDavid, and on the first game I am leaning Matthews of the 3. I also love Marner in a contract year. Matthews is the league’s best goal scorer, and he typically comes out with a bang. We all remember his 4 goal NHL debut, right? The Leafs are a known entity, and I am diving in against the Habs. The Bell Center will be rocking, and these 2 teams hate each other (especially with the preseason brawling nonsense). Easy game to get up for, and I like Matthews/Marner who are against a weaker defense and goaltender than McDavid/Hyman and Mackinnon/Rantanen are. Morgan Rielly is always stackable with the Leafs.
Apr 26, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring his 60th goal of the season during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Correlated Snipe #2 – Elias Pettersson – Jake Debrusk – Quinn Hughes
Vancouver is at home and will be buzzing after getting a taste of playoffs last year. Other than a couple of established veterans on defense Calgary really shouldn’t be all that strong defensively. Also, even though he may have a solid NHL career and is young and talented, Dustin Wolfe may be the starting goalie for the Flames, and he is a rookie. If it is Vladar instead of Wolfe, nothing changes for me. Dan Vladar is mid at best in terms of NHL goaltenders. People may be scared of Pettersson after his underwhelming playoff performance, but the sample size is there that he is a legitimate superstar talent. Also, Jake Debrusk is simply an unsexy goal-scorer who puts himself in great spots all over the ice. Debrusk should be a great free agent pickup for this team. Quinn Hughes we know is the catalyst and captain for this team, and he is stackable in any Vancouver build.
Grinders:
Juraj Slafkovsky – This guy is a young star in the making. He is giant, skilled, and is on the top line and powerplay unit for the Habs.
David Savard – Career shot blocking master
Jonathan Drouin – Very cheap for his role. Any player attached to Mackinnon and Rantanen on their line and powerplay unit, gets my attention.
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