The Shot Dude: The Pucks Are Back in Town
After a short break, your favorite Shot Dude has returned with pucks to make you some bucks.
Tonight's schedule features an Original Six matchup, four different Canadian teams, the defending Stanley Cup champs, and our current shot leader all in action on seven different rinks tonight.
Whether you're heading to a stadium, watching on television, or constructing a fantasy lineup, tonight's NHL contests should look exciting. You can take a peek at the 14 teams squaring off with the use of the Bovada data tool located on our Home page:
Our friends at FanDuel have updated the NHL player pricing, so head over to their site for some great fantasy opportunities.
Let's take a look at today's recommendations:,
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin, Washington ($10,000) ... is just a stud when it comes to NHL play. Your favorite Shot Dude would put him in every fantasy lineup he could, but Ovie has FanDuel's highest salary, which means you limit yourself to lower priced players to complete your squad. Tonight, though, there's a extreme value in goal that will help you play Ovechkin and his average of over 5 shots per game. This dude's 132 shots taken is over 50 more than the next closest teammate. He's just below a point per game with the 13 goals and 11 assists he's tallied. The Capitals are facing Florida and goalie Al Montoya, whose defense really shouldn't scare anyone.
Jack Eichel, Buffalo ($6300) ... also leads his team in shots taken so far this season with 92 in 28 games. Although just a rookie, Dude seems comfortable in the Sabres offense and has lit the lamp 9 times with 2 of those as game-winners. Buffalo takes on a Calgary team that's given up 95 goals in 27 games, which is the most in the NHL this year. Eichel makes a great play tonight due to his power play time and the fact that Calgary has the worst power kill in the league at a disturbing 71.9%. Just a hunch, but we could see more that a few goals scored in this one.
Michael Frolik, Calgary ($4900) ... is the Flames' shot leader with 71 taken through 27 games. See a trend in tonight's selections? Your favorite Shot Dude wants as many team shot leaders in his lineup as possible each night. Frolik has 2 game-winning goals among the 7 he's scored, along with 8 assists. I think this game between Buffalo and Calgary has a chance to go 'way over the total, say, 5-4? Not just because of the Flames' poor defense, but the Sabres are 10th-worst with the 76 goals they've surrendered through 28 games. Buffalo is also on the road and owns the NHL's third-worst penalty kill at just 75.3%.
Defensemen
Kevin Shattenkirk, St Louis ($6200) ... doesn't lead his team in shots on goal, but he does have 10 in his last 3 games and 40 total in 18 games played. Dude's been injured this year but, since returning, has been one of the hotter blueliners with at least a point in 8 of his last 10 games. I de can easily see his hot streak continue tonight, as the Blues host Philadelphia. The Flyers are tied with Buffalo with 76 total goals allowed but have given up an average of just under 3 goals per game on the road (41 in just 14 road games).
Niklas Kronwall, Detroit ($4500) ... is the point man for Detroit's No 1 power play line and has 6 power play points as a result. This crunchin' Swede's low salary helps you not only gain exposure to the Red Wings' power play but can also help you fit in higher-priced forwards. Detroit will defend home ice tonight against Montréal in a classic Original Six matchup. Your favorite Shot Dude likes this to be a tight, close contest, ending 2-1 either way.
Goaltender
Conner Hellebuyck, Winnipeg ($5700) ... has the lowest salary I've ever seen FanDuel post for a netminder. If he had a bad track record, it'd make sense, but Hellebuyck has won three straight and only given up one goal in each of those contests! Dude's only lett in 3 goals on 86 shots, which is great against any team, but he did that against excellent scoring squads Washington, Toronto, and Minnesota. He has a great chance to make it four in row tonight at home against the offensively challenged Blue Jackets. Columbus has only averaged slightly better than two goals per game on the road so far this season.
Enjoy the great games tonight, and I hope playing fantasy hockey helps you become a cash jockey.
As always, give it your best shot!
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