The Shot Dude: Linemates Monday
We all need help in our daily lives from time to time.
We think of those family members or friends who provide us help as part of our life team.
In the NHL, these helpers are called linemates, and they all work together for the same goal:-to win hockey games!
Your favorite Shot Dude not only has player recomendations for your fantasy lineup, but a logical linemate to help you capitalize on maximun lineup scoring. Here's today's four-game schedule, brought to you by the Bovada data tool on our Home page.
As always, I'll include each player's FanDuel price with my comments.
Forwards
Taylor Hall, Edmonton ($9500) ... is one of only three NHL player to have launched at least 100 shots this season. Dude comes into tonight's game with 102 of them and is averaging over a point per game with 25 total in 24 games. A logical linemate to offset Hall's high price tag is Leon Draisaitl for only $3900. These two play together on the Oils' top scoring and power play lines. Based on game history, this pair should take 6 or more shots combined at the Toronto net. What makes this duo so juicy tonight is they get to test unproven Toronto netminder Garret Sparks, who is making his NHL debut.
Brock Nelson, New York Islanders ($5800) ... has been elevated to both the Islanders top scoring and power play lines due to his impressive play. His 44 shots on goal have produced 8 goals and 7 helpers. His linemate Kyle Okposo, can be had for $6400 and makes for a great complement to Nelson. Although not a lethal as our first set of linemates, you can count on 4 shots or more versus visiting Colorado tonight. Semyon Varlamov has been named the Avs starter and he has seen his struggles this year, only managing a .891 save%.
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers ($5600) ... is just plain fun to watch. He combines speed and gritiness into a jaw-dropping experience for all spectators. The league's only Norwegian has scored 10 goals on 44 shots and added 11 assists. Joining him on both the Rangers' No 1 scoring line and power play unit -- and hopefully your fantasy roster -- is Derick Brassard ($7200). You should get the same shot production as our Islanders pair but with a greater chance of an assist or two. Our Rangers mates have combined for 20 assists in 24 games. The Blueshirts will skate on, home ice against Carolina and likely Cam Ward who they just beat on 10 November, 3-0.
Defensemen
Dion Phaneuf, Toronto ($5000) ... has scored just 2 goals with his 52 shots this season but is in a great spot to add to that at home against Edmonton tonight. The Oilers have given up over 3 goals a game this season and have just an ordinary penalty kill rate of 79.5%. Phaneuf see almost 23 minutes of ice time per game and runs the point on the first power play unit for the Maple Leafs, who will be at home against Edmonton and goaltender Andres Nilsson tonight.
Brett Pesce, Carolina ($3000) ... provides value for your lineup today. Dude brings some upside with that cheap price as he helps out on the Hurricanes' second power play unit and averages over 19 minutes of ice time per contest. On a night with only four games, Pesce helps you fill the need to find value as well as diversify your roster.
Goaltender
Thomas Greiss, New York Islanders ($8000) ... has been confirmed as the starter for tonight's tilt against Colorado at the Barclay's Cavern Center in Brooklyn. The Avalanche have a losing road record and have given up 70 goals in 23 games to date. Griess just got a win on Saturday while stopping 29 of the Lightning's 31 shots. Dude's played very well this month, notching 3threewins with a .929 save percentage and a 1.96 goals against average.
Since we all need help now and again, your favorite Shot Dude hopes he's provided you a bit of it today with these proposed linemates.
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