Fantasy hockey preview – Flames, Kraken offer short-term value

A little bit of an uncommon fantasy week on faucet for the NHL, as American Thanksgiving brings not solely Thursday, Nov. 23, as a day with no NHL video games, however Tuesday, Nov. 21, additionally would not have any video games scheduled.

As such, now we have a busy Monday with seven video games and a particularly busy Wednesday with 14 video games. Only the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild — all getting back from their Swedish sojourn — have the beginning of the week off. The Detroit Red Wings, who left Sweden slightly earlier, are among the many groups in motion on Wednesday.

Given the scenario, fantasy managers in weekly head-to-head leagues would possibly want — and even simply need — and further goaltending begin or two from the free-agent pile. The all-off days make this an improved chance because it avoids again-to-again units via the week. And, because it occurs, there are a few goaltenders with a strong schedule.

Philipp Grubauer, G, Seattle Kraken (91.46% accessible): While his grip hasn’t been agency on the beginning gig all season, it is by no means been as agency as it’s in the meanwhile. Grubauer is coming off two victories, together with one towards the league’s most potent offense this season (Vancouver). He could get each of the begins for the Kraken within the early a part of this week if the staff need to hold his momentum up. Monday’s opponent, the Calgary Flames, have allowed the third-most fantasy factors to opposing goaltenders per recreation this season, whereas Wednesday’s date with the San Jose Sharks will probably be towards the staff that permits essentially the most.

Jacob Markstrom, G, Calgary Flames (49.43% accessible): The Flames tackle the Kraken on Monday and the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. The schedule is not as sturdy as it’s for Grubauer — and solely one in every of them can win on Monday — however he’s additionally coming off his greatest stretch of goaltending of the season (additionally together with a win towards Vancouver).

Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers (51.62% accessible): Though the detrimental fantasy factors got here again on Saturday towards the Tampa Bay Lightning, Skinner’s outcomes have been enhancing in tandem with the teaching change for the Oilers. More than something, this stretch with the Florida Panthers on Monday and Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday will probably be check to see whether or not fantasy managers (and the Oilers, for that matter) can belief Skinner to assist with turning this season round. The Cats and Canes are powerful to win towards, however in addition they have not been sinking goaltenders this season, rating thirteenth and fifteenth for fantasy factors by the opposition goalie (so, center of the pack).

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Tomas Hertl, C, San Jose Sharks: The identical warning that may include all Sharks this season: Ignore this in case your league makes use of plus/minus. That stated, the staff has seemingly discovered at the very least a modest components to remain in some video games. And Hertl will probably be on the heart of it. He’s picked up 12.7 fantasy factors in his previous 5 video games after amassing solely 6.2 within the 5 previous to that, which represents a private uptick in manufacturing, too.

Matthew Knies, W, Toronto Maple Leafs: It’s been six video games since Knies was locked into the highest line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Remembering, in fact, that he’ll be provided no entry to them on the ability play, his three objectives and two assists throughout six video games is not horrible. The finish outcome for fantasy has been 1.63 fantasy factors per recreation, which is beneath the brink we maintain most gamers to for relevance (1.7) — however solely simply. Given the potential for Knies to get to fantasy-related territory with solely minor changes, he ought to in all probability be on rosters now (accessible in about 60 % of leagues).

Scott Perunovich, D, St. Louis Blues: The Blues are giving Perunovich greater than a good shake on the benefit of late, as he solely barely trails Torey Krug in complete energy-play time up to now six video games. The outcomes aren’t there but, however Perunovich has upside if the ability-play time stays constant.

Anton Lundell, C/W, Florida Panthers: With Barkov projected to overlook a recreation or two, Lundell will fill in among the many high six — probably incomes some energy-play time, too.

Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche: A sluggish begin hopefully behind him, Toews has come on sturdy up to now 5 video games, incomes 2.72 fantasy factors per recreation (FPPG) throughout that stretch. That’s stark in comparison with the 1.13 FPPG from the primary 10 video games of the season. In reality, Toews has notched extra complete fantasy factors throughout the previous 5 (13.6) than throughout the primary 10 video games (11.3).

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Michael Bunting, W, Carolina Hurricanes: Having not performed greater than 13:25 seconds in his previous seven video games, it is all however confirmed that Bunting is the odd one out for the Hurricanes scoring strains. When everyone seems to be wholesome, they simply have one too many our bodies for 2 strains. It’s OK to ditch Bunting — at the very least till the Hurricanes must cope with an damage to their high six.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Florida Panthers: The journey has been enjoyable to start out the season, however it’s unlikely OEL can keep his fantasy-related tempo with each Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad again within the Panthers lineup once more.

Cole Caufield, W, Montreal Canadiens: Have slightly persistence, however perhaps a quick benching may very well be to ensure that Caufield in your fantasy staff. The unhealthy information is that one in every of his previous 42 pictures have gone into the online. The excellent news is that he’s again on a line with Nick Suzuki once more.

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MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames (27.76% accessible): The Flames opponents to start out the week (Kraken and Predators) are each among the many high 5 in permitting fantasy factors to opposing defence. It’s pretty much as good a time as any to deploy Weegar, who’s having a bounceback marketing campaign.

Connor Zary, C, Calgary Flames (96.67% accessible): The good occasions hold rolling for Zary, who’s on the wing of Nazem Kadri at even power and on the highest energy-play unit for the Flames. Two extra assists on Saturday evened him as much as eight factors in eight video games this season.

Eeli Tolvanen, W, Seattle Kraken (26.2% accessible): The matchup with the Flames on Monday is okay, however what we’re actually targetting right here is the hope that the Kraken feast on the Sharks on Wednesday. Tolvanen is rapidly changing into one in every of Seattle’s higher offensive weapons alongside linemate Oliver Bjorkstrand.