The Shot Dude: Masters of Snipe
It took almost the entire NHL regular season, but tonight's the night!
Your favorite Shot Dude has secretly been waiting for the stars to align.
Even us hacks have goals in life, and one of mine was to find a way to use three bona fide masters of snipe as my forward recommendations.
Easier said than done, because most schedules don't include two lower-priced d-men and a goalie matchup at a low enough price to make it all work.
Sit back, enjoy today's ideas, and check out the NHL's sizable 10-game slate with the help of the Bovada data tool on our Home page:
Speaking of masters, FanDuel has mastered the everyday task of inventing the best fantasy games to enter. Include these studs in your lineup if you like; no charge:
Forwards
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington ($9500) ... has the highest price among non-goalies on FanDuel today. The Crushin' Russian's earned that salary by sniping 42 goals on 350 shots. I like him specifically because he's been quiet lately. With no points in his last two games, Ovie enters a rare place. Dude's only gone three games without a point twice this season. It's highly unlikely he makes it three tonight when the Caps face Ottawa. In two games against the Sens this season, Ovechkin has scored 2 goals on 9 shots. He has sweet career numbers against Ottawa, too, tallying 39 points in just 36 games.
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay ($8300) ... has been on fire with 4 goals in his last 4 games, giving him 33 on 197 shots on the season. What I like the most is what he did off the ice last week. After a loss to Dallas, dude rallied his troops by being quite vocal, referring to their play as like a fragile team that's scared to lose. I think Stamkos will lead by example on the ice, as well, with the 'Ning going on a nice run starting tonight by beating Detroit and continuing right into the start of the playoffs.
Patrick Kane, Chicago ($8200) ... was shut down in his last game by Minnesota, which has happened very rarely this season. I feel a huge bounceback game coming tonight against Dallas. The Stars have been one of Kane's favorite teams to whip up on over his career, too. Dude's burned them for 19 goals and 44 points in 34 games. In front of a charged-up crowd at the United Center, and his team needing four points in the standings to catch the Stars, you can bet Kane will come to snipe.
Defensemen
Ryan Suter, Minnesota ($4500) ... is in the midst of his career year by already tying his high of 46 points in a season. The ice time this dude logs is incredible, with just under 29 minutes every game. Blasting 174 shots in 73 games is not to shabby, either, for a d-man. If Suter scored more often, we'd put him in the conversation with the two or three best blueliners in the league. He's averaging a point per game against Los Angeles this season, and I think he gets another on home ice tonight.
Michael Stone, Arizona ($3900) ... has just the kind of price and matchup that makes it easier to piece together my masters of snipe lineup. Any points I get from Suter and Stone are icing on my offensive cake, but their matchups are still promising. Dude's notched 4 points in his last 4 games and gets to face a defensively-challenged Edmonton team on his home ice. Better yet, Stone's picked up 5 assists in 4 games against the Oilers this season already.
Goaltender
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus ($7700) ... squares off against a winded Philadelphia team that just played in New York last night. I like that Bobrovsky won his last time out against New Jersey and also beat the Flyers earlier this season by only letting in one goal on 28 shots. In fact, dude's won 4 of his 5 career starts against Philadelphia by allowing under two goals a game and compiling a .940 save percentage. Even though it's been a rocky season for Columbus, they'll play this game on home ice where they actually have a winning record at 16-15-6.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes you become the master of all the fantasy games you enter and have a winning night.
Please be aware of children playing in the street, and in life, always give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.