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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Wednesday, Dec. 14 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
Triple Threat
- LW Mike Hoffman (56K), RW Mark Stone (59K), D Erik Karlsson (55K), Senators (vs. Sharks): Hoffman, Stone and Karlsson are the Senators' top-three points leaders. The trio could have themselves a big night considering San Jose, the NHL's oldest team, will be playing in their second game in as many nights after defeating Toronto in a shootout Tuesday.
- C Claude Giroux (64K), RW Jakub Voracek (68K), D Shayne Gostisbehere (42K), Flyers (at Avalanche): The Flyers are averaging 3.5 goals per game during their current nine-game winning streak. Colorado has no D pairing capable of stopping Giroux and Voracek. Both Gs Semyon Varlamov and Calvin Pickard have been shaky.
- C Sidney Crosby (64K), LW Conor Sheary (29K), RW Patric Hornqvist (51K), Penguins (vs. Bruins): Crosby has a reduced salary with his matchup against the Bruins, as they have the lowest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) in the NHL. Yet, at the rate Crosby is going, it doesn't seem anyone can stop him. He has 21 goals in 23 games, totaling 13 points in his last eight contests.
Bargain Plays
- G Steve Mason (75K), Flyers (at Avalanche): Colorado generates the fewest SCF60 (scoring chances for per 60 minutes) and has the league's lowest xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes). Mason is 7-0 with a .930 SV% during Philadelphia's nine-game winning streak.
- D Ivan Provorov (25K), Flyers (at Avalanche): If you're not spending up on a D like Brent Burns or Karlsson, you might as well go with the minimum-priced Provorov. He has five points in his last six games and will record an abundance of shots, hits and blocks.
- LW Conor Sheary (29K), Penguins (vs. Bruins): Sheary has enough intelligence, quickness and skill to succeed alongside Crosby. He has 16 points and 51 shots in 22 games on the year.
Top Fades
- RW Bobby Ryan (48K), Senators (vs. Sharks): Ryan has all the skill in the world, but at 29 years old, he is no spring chicken anymore in today's youthful NHL and can't get by on skill alone. His lack of effort has showed up at times this season, resulting in just over 15 minutes of ice time per game and only three goals in 24 games.
- LW Patrick Marleau (45K), Sharks (at Senators): Marleau is on the serious decline. He has just 10 points on the year, which puts him on pace for his worst season since he was an 18-year-old kid. It's hard to trust him on the second night of a back-to-back, especially since Tuesday's game went into overtime.
- D Dougie Hamilton (46K), Flames (vs. Lightning): Hamilton is a really good defenseman and is having a fine season, but 46K seems like a lot when Karlsson is only slightly more expensive and Kris Letang is cheaper.
Contrarian Options
- G Tuukka Rask (84K), Bruins (at Penguins): Rask will likely be faded in a matchup with the high-flying Penguins, but he is strongly in the running for the Vezina Trophy. He has a .943 SV% and a 1.59 GAA while playing on the road this season. At 84K, he is worth the risk in tournament lineups.
- C Evgeni Malkin (61K), Penguins (vs. Bruins): On the other end of the spectrum, Malkin will also likely be faded because of how good Rask has been this season. Furthermore, he has been overshadowed by Crosby's play this year, which is not unlike his entire career. Malkin quietly has 14 points in his last eight games.
- LW Gabriel Landeskog (46K), Avalanche (vs. Flyers): Landeskog has failed to record a point in two games since returning from injury. However, his willingness to throw hits and block shots provides a higher ceiling than most players at his salary if he is able to record a point or two.
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