The Shot Dude: Princes of Puckdom
Every good book I've ever read as a child began with Once upon a time ...
Your favorite Shot Dude hasn't brought a fairy tale today, though. Only a great story about how you win in the end.
This tale focuses on 12 great NHL contests and the princes of puckdom who will enchant us with their incredible skills. You can examine these ice-joust matchups with the help of the Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
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Forwards
Matt Duchene, Colorado ($7400) ... leads the Avalanche with 24 goals on 157 shots and 43 total points in 55 games. I like that his shooting frequency has picked up recently, with 33 blasts on goal in his last 10 games. Dude seems to be a cinch to surpass the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career if he can stay injury-free. The Avs play host to Vancouver, a team that has lost four in a row and owns a -21 goal differential on the season.
Alexander Steen, St Louis ($6900) ... currently leads the Blues with 28 assists and 17 power play points. Dude averages almost 21 minutes of ice time, which has led to 15 goals on 148 shots in 55 games. Steen and the Blues will look to take advantage of Winnipeg, a team that has the NHL's fourth-worst penalty kill at 77.0% and has allowed the sixth-most goals with 150 in 52 games.
Brock Nelson, New York Islanders ($6000) ... passed his career high in goals last game and will improve on that each time he beats a netminder for the rest of this campaign. Nelson has 20 goals on 115 shots, but the main reason I like him tonight is his opponent. The last time the Isles faced Columbus, Nelson scorched them for a hat trick and an assist that resulted in a 16.6 point fantasy night!
Defensemen
Shea Weber, Nashville ($6100) ... has proved at the two most recent All-Star weekends that he possesses the hardest shot in the NHL, topping 108mph. Whoa! Dude's also scored in 3 of his last 4 games that count in the standings. His 19 power play points are tied for second in the league among defensemen, and he's on pace for a 50-point season. Nashville and their steady 14-9-3 home record get a test tonight from visiting Washington.
Shane Gostisbehere, Philadelphia ($5100) ... is on an incredible eight-game point streak in which he has tallied 2 goals and 9 assists. You know how much I like to ride hot players! Despite only playing 33 games with the Flyers, Gostisbehere now has 27 points, and his 15 power play points are third on the team. Dude has flung 76 shots on goal and takes aim at visiting Anaheim tonight.
Goaltender
Jonas Hiller, Calgary ($7000) ... is coming off a 34-save road victory over Vancouver three days ago. Dude's rewarded his fantasy owners with point totals of 5.4 or more in 4 of his last 7 games. He'll be in his home crease against injury-riddled and Phaneuf-free Toronto tonight. I really love Hiller's chances for a second straight strong outing due to the Maple Leafs being without two of their top three scorers and a league-worst 2.04 goal-scoring average on the road.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes you live happily ever after with some fantasy winnings tonight.
As always, take care of the ones you love, and always give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.