The Shot Dude: Seventh Day
And on the seventh day, God created hockey.
Not sure where I heard that, but it's fitting today.
Your favorite Shot Dude never rests and has some very active skaters for you to consider for your Sunday fantasy lineup.
Even though FanDuel is NFL-heavy today, they still have their NHL fans in mind with a variety of great choices.
Catch a glimpse of today's six-game NHL schedule by using the Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
Forwards
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit ($6900) ... has scored seven points in as many games and seems to have put the injury that kept him out of 15 games behind him. Dude's averaging almost 4 shots per game in his last four and now has 46 in 17 games. Having scored only three times, it's only a matter of time until that number improves, what with the ice time and shot volume he gets. Calgary visits Detroit riding a hot streak but is also vulnerable defensively. The Flames have allowed 57 goals in 17 road games, which ranks them as the league's fourth-most generous in that category.
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay ($6400) ... has now scored six goals in his last 7 games, giving him 12 on 84 shots. This speedly little Russian is currently the Lightning's top shooter, even though most would associate Steven Stamkos with that title. Saving $3000 and going with the hotter player in Kucherov over Stamkos is my preference today. Tampa Bay will skate home ice against another benevolent road team in Ottawa, who's allowed an average of 3 goals every road game.
Loui Eriksson, Boston ($5200) ... has too cheap a price right now for all he does on the ice. Dude has 12 goals on 56 shots to date, but his consistency is what piques my interest. He's registered a point in 8 of his last 10 games and now has a total of 27 through 31 games. Eriksson's 7 power play goals lead the Bruins. Today's opponent, New Jersey, has been tough defensively, but I think Eriksson finds a way to solve that on home ice.
Defensemen
Duncan Keith, Chicago ($6300) ... like Datsyuk, has been slowed due to injury but has still tallied 16 points in 24 games. Half of those have come on the power play. As well, dude averages just under 26 minutes of ice time per game. Not a high-volume shooter, the dude who keeps blocking shots with his face only has 40 so far. San José visits the Windy City today, only having won 3 of their last 10 games. Also, the Sharks have given up 87 goals in their 32 contests this season.
Keith Yandle, New York Rangers ($6300) ... is virtually a Keith doppelganger with the same price, which puts him on my list today. Yandle doesn't get as much ice time as our friend in Chicago, but he's shot the puck more, launching 71 times in 34 games. Another similarity between these two is their success on the power play, where Yandle has eight points. Dude may benefit from a high-scoring affair with Washington today, as the Rangers' last five games have all gone over the posted total.
Goaltender
Roberto Luongo, Florida ($8900) ... recorded his 70th career shutout his last game at Carolina, giving him his 6th win in his last 9 games. Luongo gets to defend his home crease today against road-weary Vancouver, who've lost 6 of their last 7. There are only seven other NHL netminders who rank higher than Luongo's .927 save percentage. Dude has the potential to elevate his fantasy score with a ton of saves in this one, as Vancouver leads the league with 625 shots on goal in 20 road games.
Even though it been a long week, don't rest on your laurels; win some NHL fantasy game loot.
Scoring, whether on the ice or in life, cannot be done right unless you give it your best shot!
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