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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday, March 4 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
- C Bryan Little (57K) & LW Nikolaj Ehlers (55K), Jets (vs. Avalanche): While the Scheifele-Laine-Perreault line may get most of the attention, Little and Ehlers are among the group that skates most 5v5 together. Against the lowly Avalanche, it's worth considering taking the cheaper duo.
- C Brayden Point (39K) & LW Jonathan Drouin (51K), Lightning (at Sabres): Point and Drouin together form two thirds of a line that features the fifth highest Corsi-For per 60 minutes on the Lightning this season. Two of the options ahead of them include Steven Stamkos, who remains sidelined, and the others haven't even skated for 100 minutes yet.
- C Aleksander Barkov (69K) & LW Jonathan Huberdeau (55K), Panthers (vs. Stars): Tried and true, since rejoining the team, they each have 11 points in 12 games. The Stars cannot keep pucks out of the net. Take the young Panthers while they're riding high and finally following through on an impressive 2015-16.
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - Cam Talbot (118K), Oilers (vs. Red Wings) - The Red Wings are smack dab in the middle in terms of scoring chances for per 60 minutes, but have not been able to convert. With Talbot at home, and the Red Wings continuing to stumble, he's the best option on the board. The price is high, but worth it.
- BARGAIN - Carey Price (81K), Canadiens (at Rangers) - When Price costs well below the average goaltender salary, even on the road against a tough Rangers team, he has to be considered. Since Claude Julien took over for Michel Therrien, Price is 4-2 in six starts with a .947 save percentage and a shutout to boot. Two of those four wins came on the road.
- FADE - Corey Crawford (91K), Blackhawks (at Predators) - It's not a knock against Crawford, but more a vote of confidence in the surging Predators offense. Despite a a one-goal performance in Montreal, Nashville had scored at least four goals in eight of 10 prior. Filip Forsberg has been a big proponent and Crawford has been noticeable worse on the road.
- CONTRARIAN - Robin Lehner (91K), Sabres (vs. Lightning): The Lightning, prior to Friday's loss, have been scoring a respectable amount of goals of late. Despite playing at home, where he's been slightly better than he's been on the road, Lehner's salary is higher than the likes of Price. Few will take the plunge.
Bargain Plays
- RW Mikko Rantanen (25K), Avalanche (at Jets): The Avalanche have not performed well on the road (or anywhere), and despite Rantanen's mere two SOG over his last two games, he had been averaging over three per game over his previous five, where he tallied three goals. The Jets may look to Ondrej Pavelec in net since starter Connor Hellebuyck played Friday.
- D Zach Werenski (27K), Blue Jackets (at Senators): Werenski is woefully underpriced despite his continued offensive prowess. He has six points over his last eight games, stifled a bit by a 3.7 shooting percentage. He should also add at least one blocked shot. It's not much, but it adds a little extra depth.
- C Adam Lowry (25K), Jets (vs. Avalanche): Not known for being especially strong offensively, Lowry has four goals and seven points in 11 games. He's also averaging close to four hits per game, topping out at an insane 10 hits against Pittsburgh on Feb. 16. At the minimum salary against the worst team in hockey, he's a great option for savings.
Top Fades
- C Claude Giroux (46K), Flyers (at Capitals): Giroux is en route to his worst statistical season since 2009-10. His career-low 7.7 shooting percentage is partially to blame, but some correction was expected by now. With Braden Holtby tending twine for the Capitals, it's best to explore alternatives.
- LW Daniel Sedin (42K), Canucks (at Kings): Another entry in the season-long series recommending fading the Sedins. Daniel hasn't been terrible lately, with nine points in 13 games since the beginning of February, but it's not enough. While he managed eight SOG on Feb. 25, that couldn't bump up is average to a meagre three per game in that timeline. With no physical element to speak of, he's overpriced.
- RW Alexander Radulov (51K), Canadiens (at Rangers): Radulov's scoring touch has been rather inconsistent. He managed four points against the Devils on Feb. 27, but has gone point-less in the eight games surrounding it. He's not even averaging two SOG per game, and his physical presence is likewise less pronounced. Avoid.
Contrarian Options
- LW Max Pacioretty (65K), Canadiens (at Rangers): Pacioretty is a more appealing option than Radulov because of his shot volume. He rarely comes up empty, and has two eight-shot efforts in his last three games. Pacioretty is a tough sell with Henrik Lundqvist in the opposing net, but should be enough to keep his ownership low.
- LW Taylor Hall (51K), Devils (at Bruins): Like Pacioretty, Hall can usually be counted on for a handful of shots, making his goose-egg from Thursday a bit of an anomaly. Mired in a bit of a slump, it's worth noting that he hasn't been impacted by home-road splits as his numbers are similar wherever he plays.
- RW Rick Nash (49K), Rangers (vs. Canadiens): Nash isn't an outright bargain, and there is significant risk with Price in net for Montreal, but he's been relatively steady of late. The salary is reasonable and will allow him to do less but still return appropriate value. His position on the team's second power play unit could come in handy, too.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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