The Shot Dude: NHL Trade Deadline Day Review
Well, the Mon 29 Feb NHL trading deadline came and went without much ado.
Maybe that's why this site took the time to make more preparations for its pending upgrade.
Whatever. Your favorite Shot Dude kept his sights on the ice, as always. It's finally time to take a look at how my selections did.
Do know, though, you can always peruse all North American sporting previews every day with the help of the Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
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While others were flip-flopping over whether or not to trade, your favorite Shot Dude stuck with his picks.
Forwards
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh ($9000) ... has recorded 11 points in his last 10 games, which is consistent with the 49 total points in 50 games dude's put up this season. The power play is where Malkin has provided 23 of those points, and he also leads the Penguins in penalty minutes with 59. I thought his high salary was justified as the Pens skated home ice against Arizona. The Coyotes came in as the worst team in average goals allowed at 3.08 per game. Also, Arizona's penalty kill of 77.8% is sixth-worst in the league.
Tyler Seguin, Dallas ($7600) ... has scored 32 goals on 241 shots in 63 games this season. Seguin has been as consistent as Malkin, with 12 points in his last 10 games, and leads the Stars in goals, shots, power play points, and game-winning goals. Since dude does it all for Dallas, I thought this game would be no different against Detroit. The Stars have been incredible at home with a 20-10 record. Seguin has lit the lamp three times and added an assist in six career games against the Red Wings.
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers ($5500) ... has scored 20 goals on just 125 shots in 62 games this season. The six-year man has already reached a career high for goals in a season, and just needs another 14 points to have his highest scoring points season as well. Columbus came to town as a team that Zuccarello had scored 6 points against in 10 games. Columbus has been victimized for 190 goals in 63 games, fourth-highest amount given up in the NHL to date.
Defensemen
Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia ($5100) ... made history with his recent 15-game point scoring streak, the most by any rookie in NHL history. I figured he'd begin a new streak against Calgary. Dude is fifth on the Flyers with 34 points, even though he's played far fewer games (43). Calgary not only slots in right behind Columbus with the 188 goals they've surrendered this season, but had also lost four consecutive games and 7 of their last 10.
Justin Braun, San José ($3000) ... is a minimum salary d-man who will help you afford high-priced studs for your lineup. You could call him my hunch player of the night. Braun isn't much of a shooter, with just 87 blasts in 59 games, but he notched a goal and an assist in his last game against Vancouver. I predicted he's stay hot with at least one point, which would more than pay off his low salary. The Sharks were home to Montréal, a team that owned an unimpressive 13-16-2 road record.
And say this for Braun: Dude's a gamer!
Goaltender
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay ($7900) ... has 8 wins in his last 10 NHL appearances and has gone 10-5 overall with a respectable .910 save percentage. Even though he's been shuffled between Tampa Bay and their AHL affiliate in Syracuse, Vasilevskiy still remains a viable netminder of the future after being selected with pick No 19 in the 2012 NHL amateur draft. Dude drew a dream matchup against a Toronto team that not only has many injured players but remains in full sell-off mode for the future. The Leafs have only seen two victories in their last 10 outings.
Your favorite Shot Dude sincerely hopes this deadline day sent some fantasy winning your way.
Whether you experience rain, sleet, or shine, always give it your best shot!
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