The Shot Dude: Snow Day
Remember how fun it was to have school canceled for a snow day?
With so much snow pouring out of the sky lately, even some NHL games have succumbed to nature's will.
Your favorite Shot Dude presses onward, though, with some lineup ideas for this short slate of NHL action.
There are just four games still on for today, and the focus here will be on the three evening contests. You can have a look at the schedule by checking out the Bovada data tool on our Home page:
No matter how many games are on the schedule, FanDuel has you covered with the best fantasy games in the business, so head over there to set your lineup.
Forwards
Marian Hossa, Chicago ($6400) ... is my pick to score for the Blackhawks in what should be a low-goal defensive battle with St Louis today. I think while the Blues d-men focus on stopping the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, it'll be Hossa who's free to get at least a few quality scoring chances. Dude's been a solid contributor with 24 points and is second on the Blackhawks in shots taken with 140 in 46 games. Chicago has won 8 of 10 and has only lost five home games all season.
Samuel Bennett, Calgary ($5600) ... is on one of the sneakiest goal-scoring binges we've seen this season. Dude may be lesser known due to playing in Calgary, but he now has 8 goals in his last 5 games! Talk about finding a groove! He'd only lit the lamp 5 times in 39 games prior. Maybe trends this hot usually have a short fuse, but I still think Bennett has a good chance to find the scoresheet again today against Carolina, a team with a -20 goal differential.
Joe Thornton, San José ($5400) ... has maintained a steady, affordable salary despite being on a consistent scoring streak of his own. Thornton has notched at least a point in eight consecutive games, and has 12 total points in his last 10. This solid play has no doubt directly helped the Sharks' nifty run of victories lately, winning 7 of their last 10. San José has climbed up to second place and really needs to take two points to inch closer to the team they're chasing and, incidentally, squaring off against today ... the Los Angeles Kings.
Defensemen
Brent Burns, San José ($7100) ... seems to be a forward trapped inside a d-man's body. Burns is one of only two skaters to reach the 200-shot plateau so far this season. His 201 shots in 46 games have produced 18 goals. Having scored 8 points in 10 games is fine production, but what impresses me are the 21 shots Burns has launched in the last 4 contests alone. Los Angeles will be a tough opponent, but I like San José to use the home ice advantage and their current success to get a victory.
Justin Faulk, Carolina ($5700) ... is currently third in the NHL in shots on goal from d-men with 149. Dude's one of Carolina's team leaders with 33 points in 46 games, with 16 of those coming by way of the power play. Of the three evening games, Carolina's tilt with Calgary has the most potential for scoring. Faulk is worth paying for today because he rarely has a negative fantasy score, plus the Flames have a -15 goal differential and have won just seven road games to date.
Goaltender
Corey Crawford, Chicago ($10400) ... has been incredibly good at home this season with 17 wins, a lofty .945 save percentage, and a tiny 1.66 GAA. Do know his start is unconfirmed at this point, so make sure he's in there closer to game time. Scott Darling is a very capable backup and has won all three of his home starts, so you could pivot to him without losing much upside. Either way, the Blackhawk defense has been very strong on home ice, only allowing 42 goals in 26 games, which ranks first in the NHL.
Since your favorite Shot Dude never gets canceled due to snow, get your share of some cold, hard cash in your fantasy games.
Once the roads are clear, go out and give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.