The Shot Dude: Busted Bracket?
There was an article online -- yes, I read now and again -- that stated 99% of all brackets are busted after just one day!
That is why I persist with the hockey talk. It limits my disappointment level.
Your favorite Shot Dude got none of the NCAA games wrong yesterday. I also didn't fill out a bracket.
Before you scream, That's Un-American! at your computer screen, remember that while I like basketball, hockey is numero uno with me.
Get up to speed on today's six-game NHL schedule with the aid of the Bovada data tool on our Home page:
Nothing ever seems busted at FanDuel. They keep chugging right along. Try out a double-up or single entry tournament, and don't be shy about including some of these studs:
Forwards
Sean Monahan, Calgary ($7600) ... has led the Flames to victories over Winnipeg and St Louis with three goals in those games. That gives Monahan 24 goals on 168 shots in 69 games this season. Dude ranks third on his team in shots but has been the points leader lately with 11 in his last 10 games. Calgary will need a miracle to make the playoffs this season but has recorded an impressive résumé at home, going 20-15-2 so far. I like Monahan and the Flames to get a home win over Colorado, a team that's given up 199 goals in 71 games this season.
Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg ($7300) ... has enjoyed a plentiful March in the point-scoring department. Dude's registered 12 points in just 9 games this month. Even though Scheifele has missed some time due to injury, he's still turned in 23 goals on 158 shots in 59 games this campaign. The Jets are another team on the outside of the playoff picture. Scheifele and his mates have home ice and will face Chicago's confirmed starter Scott Darling, who's been shaky at best between the pipes recently.
Andrew Ladd, Chicago ($5900) ... gets to square off against the team with whom he started the year. Since leaving Winnipeg for the playoff-bound Blackhawks, Ladd hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, recording only 4 points in 8 games. Nothing gets a skater going better than facing his old team, I say! Ladd's on the doorstep of a 20-goal, 20-assist season this year, so there's no time like the present in a game that should feature plenty of scoring. Some fantasy players may not be crazy about the revenge game scenario when constructing fantasy lineups, so I'll let you decide for yourself.
Defensemen
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa ($7100) ... leads the Senators with 214 shots on goal, but most impressive is that he leads the entire NHL with 60 assists. Add in his 13 goals, and I'll take a point-per-game d-man on my fantasy team every night the salary fits. Sometimes forgotten is just how much time this dude spends on the ice -- 29:07 minutes per game to be exact -- and he leads the league in that category, as well. Ottawa has the chance to grab a healthy amount of goals tonight against Buffalo. The Sabres have been quite generous at home, allowing 101 goals in 37 games.
Matt Niskanen, Washington ($4200) ... has the salary to give you flexibility to fit in your choice of skaters without giving up too much production. With the injury to John Carlson, Niskanen has seen more ice time, shots, and scoring. Dude posted two game-winning goals earlier this month and is also averaging just under 25 minutes on the ice each night for the Capitals. I like a defensive-minded game in Washington with Nashville coming to town. Both teams have won at least 6 of their last 10 games.
Goaltender
Craig Anderson, Ottawa ($8700) ... has been incredible in his career whenever he dons the pads to face the Buffalo Sabres. Not only has he beaten Buffalo twice this year with a wicked .943 save percentage, but the dude owns career marks of 13 wins and a .933 save percentage against them, too. With the Sens still technically alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race, I foresee a comfortable win tonight at the Sabres' expense. Buffalo is one of only a few teams in the league who've played worse at home than on the road.
Your favorite Shot Dude sincerely hopes you are anything but busted and go on to a winning fantasy evening.
Tell you children you love them, and always give it your best shot!
You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.