The Shot Dude: Sunday Clappers
As most hockey fans know, a clapper refers to a heavy slapshot.
Your favorite Shot Dude is excited over the prospect of watching some weekend pucks filled with clappers.
Whether or not you want to watch in the dark is up to you.
I'm sure you know what to do:
The NHL schedule has seven wonders for us to marvel at today. The start times are varied, so you'll need the help of our trusted Bovada data tool on our Home page to plan your viewing schedule:
The pros at FanDuel have created early- and late-game sets for NHL fantasy players today. Check out their offerings next.
Here are a few player ideas from both game sets:
Forwards
Brad Marchand, Boston ($8200) ... has recorded 12 points in his last 10 games. This recent flurry includes 8 goals, and Marchand has now taken over the team lead with 32 goals on 187 shots in 57 games. Dude's one of five skaters on the high-scoring Bruins to have tallied at least 42 points this season. Boston will skate home ice against Tampa Bay tonight. These teams resemble twins with how similar their seasons have gone so far. Both have 74 points in the Atlantic Division standings and have 22 losses. In fact, both have won 6 of their last 10 games with a goal differential on the plus side within three of each other.
Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders ($6300) ... has registered 10 points in his last 10 games -- including a four-point masterpiece against tonight's opponent, Edmonton -- just three weeks ago. With 15 goals on 138 shots and 46 total points in 57 games, dude's making a run at team MVP. Okposo and the Isles look to take advantage of Edmonton, the team that currently owns the NHL's longest losing streak (7) and has lost 9 of their last 10 contests. Plus, the Oil is the NHL's third-most generous team, having surrendered 190 goals in 63 games.
Thomas Vanek, Minnesota ($5700) ... had just 29 points in the Wild's first 51 games this season but has come to life offensively of late, tallying 9 points in his last 10 games. Vanek has blasted 121 shots on goal and is one of three Minnesota skaters tied for the team lead with 18 goals. The Wild have a mediocre home record of 15-11-4 but square off against the winded Florida Panthers, a team that lost a shootout to Columbus last night.
Defensemen
Sami Vatanen, Anaheim ($5100) ... has also jump-started his offensive engine, posting 8 points in his last 9 games. Dude had a slow start to the season with just 24 points in the Ducks first 51 games, but is currently shooting at a higher frequency. Vatanen has launched 25 shots in Anaheim's most recent 10 games after averaging far less than 2 shots/game in 50 games to start the season. Offensive-minded d-men are always on my radar! The Ducks not only get home ice to face their rival Los Angeles tonight, but the road-weary Kings had to fly cross-country after a game in Buffalo yesterday.
Kevin Shattenkirk, St Louis ($4900) ... does have 10 goals on 136 shots in 54 games but seems to make his biggest contributions on the power play, recording a team-leading 19 points there. Dude's 31 total points is third on the Blues while averaging almost 23 minutes of ice time per game. St Louis will skate against Carolina, a team that currently sits in the bottom ten in goals against, having allowed 83 in 33 home games.
Goaltender
Jaroslav Halák, New York Islanders ($8500) ... is one of the big reasons why the Islanders have won 7 of 10 contests. Dude has three straight wins, giving up just 2 goals on 100 shots in that span. All three of those victories have come on the road, which is where the Islanders find themselves again tonight. In Halák's favor will be that his opponent, those Oilers, ranks sixth-worst in NHL goal production with just 149 in 63 games this season.
Your favorite Shot Dude hopes your fantasy team is filled with all the skaters whose clappers find the back of the net.
Please drive safely, and always give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.