The Shot Dude: East Coast Bias
Your favorite Shot Dude calls the upper Midwest home these days.
My start was on the East Coast, even though I don't mention it much.
Once in a while, it's good to go back to your roots. So today, our focus will have an East Coast feel, featuring all the home teams that play on the extreme right side of the map.
You can witness the entire 11-game NHL schedule today, aided by the Bovada data tool on our Home page:
It's fitting that our friends at FanDuel are headquartered on the East Coast, and we'll once again feature their player pricing.
Forwards
Derick Brassard, New York Rangers ($7400) ... is currently third on the Rangers with 65 shots on goal through 31 games. Dude's lit the lamp 11 times and added 12 assists, and he's been a severe threat lately with eight of those points coming in his last seven contests. The Rangers really seem to enjoy the New York state of mind as they look to improve on an already stellar home record of 12-4-1 tonight against Edmonton.
Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders ($6600) ... has really come to life with three goals in his last three games on just five shots. Nielsen now has 81 shots in 31 games, which ranks him second on the Isles. His hot start and recent surge now give him 12 goals and 10 assists, with seven of those points coming on the power play. The Islanders are winners of three straight and will try to add another win to their impressive 11-4-2 home record when they host Florida.
Joffrey Lupul, Toronto ($3800) ... has virtually a minimum-salary price tag today, as he's returning from a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the last five games. Even though he's only suited up for 23 games this season, Lupul still ranks third on the Maple Leafs with 59 shots, resulting in 8 goals. This bottom-barrel price opens up salary to use higher-priced players in your fantasy lineup. Toronto hopes to top the .500 mark at home by defeating Tampa Bay tonight.
Defensemen
PK Subban, Montréal ($6500) ... has scored only one goal on 77 shots taken during his 31 games played. However, Subban leads the Canadiens in assists (20), power play points(10), and ice time with an average of over 25 minutes a game. Those numbers put Lord Vader Subban among the NHL's best blueliners, and he'll certainly be a factor if the Habs are to get their twelfth home win tonight against San José.
Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo ($5000) ... has racked up three goals and eight assists in his last 10 games. This Finnish defenseman is only 20 but playing much older, as he notched his first career hat trick against Calgary last Thursday.
Dude has 23 points in 31 games overall, including seven goals on 78 shots taken. This is awesome production from such a young player, and he'll try to help the Sabres get to .500 at home with a victory over New Jersey.
Goaltender
Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia ($8800) ... gets another to chance to shine for the Flyers by earning his third straight start in net tonight. Dude saved 92 of the 96 shots he saw in his last three games and has won four of six overall. His play on home ice has been especially impressive with a 1.38 goals against average and .957 save percentage. Neuvirth's prospect of another win looks promising; he'll be defending his home crease against Carolina, whom he just defeated back on 23 November.
Your favorite Shot Dude is signing off again but hopes you end up on the right side of the ledger in your fantasy matchups.
With fantasy sports, as in life, you cannot score unless you give it your best shot!
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