The Shot Dude: Back to the Well
Some days it just feels right to do what's worked in the past.
Today is one of those days.
Your favorite Shot Dude has gone back to the well and found a few player and team trends to help build an imposing NHL fantasy lineup.
The Bovada data tool located on our Home page is where you can find today's nine-game schedule:
As usual, the FanDuel price is included for each player, so you'll be prepared when you get there to construct your team.
Forwards
Patrick Kane, Chicago ($9400) ... has tallied 22 goals on 130 shots and his 53 total points currently lead the NHL. What jumped out at me is his career stats when playing tonight's foe, Colorado. Kane has 6 goals and 15 assists in 27 games against the Avalanche. I think it's a solid bet that this continues tonight, especially since Kane has 10 points in his last 10 games this month and Colorado has allowed 52 goals in 16 home games this season.
Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis ($9100) ... has also scored 22 goals so far but on 142 shots through 38 games. Tarasenko's 39 total points are impressive, with 12 of those coming in the last 10 games alone. What caught my eye is that Tarasenko seems to punish Minnesota, with 11 points in 12 career games against them. The Wild have given up 42 goals in 15 road games with a below-average penalty kill of 78%.
Anders Lee, New York Islanders ($5900) ... has just five goals and 17 points on 82 shots but has picked it up lately, with three points in as many games. It's a small sample size, but Lee has 4 points in 6 games against Buffalo. I'm forecasting a New York victory, considering the Islanders have a winning road record and have scored 15 more goals than they've given up. As well, Buffalo has a losing home record and allowed 12 more goals than they've scored.
Defensemen
Matt Niskanen, Washington ($4700) ... has taken 60 shots on goal in 36 games so far, but that might very well be trending upward with the injury to John Carlson. Niskanen has already seen an increase in minutes -- from 22 to 27 -- in the last few games and is now the point man on the Capitals' top power play. Washington owns the NHL's best road record at 13-3-1 with a goal differential of +41, while Carolina is under .500 at home and has given up 19 more goals than they've scored.
Brendan Smith, Detroit ($3700) ... had only registered 3 points in his first 23 games this season but is trending skyward with 5 points in his last 6 games. Smith has launched 9 shots in Detroit's last four contests while only accounting for 21 shots total in 25 games prior to that. The Red Wings have gone 5-3 in their eight December home games, while Pittsburgh comes to town on the second night of a back-to-back, having lost 9 of 13 this month.
Goaltender
Louis Domingue, Arizona ($6600) ... has a very affordable salary and brings flexibility to your lineup. Dude's won 2 of his 3 starts with a decent .915 save percentage. The trends that convinced me to use Domingue are rooted in the shortcomings of tonight's opponent, Winnipeg. The Jets have only scored 45 goals in 19 road games while surrendering 63 goals in those games. Winnipeg also has the NHL's fifth-worst road penalty play at a lowly 14%. Conversely, Arizona's goal support at home has been great, with 53 goals in 17 games.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes my trip back to the well helps you reel in a fantasy profit today.
Remember that it is hard to succeed in life without giving it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.