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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday's games beginning at 7 p.m. ET and later (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
- LW Jaden Schwartz (69K) & RW Vladimir Tarasenko (91K), Blues (at Coyotes): The Coyotes have the highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) in the NHL. Tarasenko has three multi-point games in his last five outings. There's a good chance he makes it four in his last six.
- C Connor McDavid (93K) & LW Patrick Maroon (47K), Oilers (vs. Canucks): Vancouver will be starting 29-year-old journeyman Richard Bachman between the pipes. McDavid is a favorite to win the Hart Trophy and leads the NHL in assists. Maroon has been on the receiving end of McDavid's feeds, as he has a career-high 24 goals.
- C Joe Pavelski (70K) & RW Jannik Hansen (32K), Sharks (vs. Ducks): Anaheim lost in a shootout on Friday night, so there's a possibility they come out a bit sluggish on Saturday. Jonathan Bernier hasn't started on back-to-back days in over a year. Whether he gets the call or they opt for Jhonas Enroth (3.94 GAA), the Sharks will be licking their chops.
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - Jake Allen (93K), Blues (at Coyotes): Not only do the Coyotes have the highest xGA60, but they also have the fifth-lowest xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes). Allen has been sharper than a butcher knife between the pipes since Mike Yeo took over as head coach, sporting a .939 SV% in his last 15 games.
- BARGAIN - Martin Jones (88K), Sharks (vs. Ducks): Jones isn't exactly the cheapest bargain out there, but he has the lowest price among goalies that have a reasonable chance at returning value.
- FADE - Corey Crawford (103K), Blackhawks (at Maple Leafs): Statistically speaking, Crawford is nothing more than an average goalie away from home. He has a .909 SV% and a 2.89 GAA on the road this season. Toronto's 3.23 xGF60 at home is the best in the NHL.
- CONTRARIAN - Frederik Andersen (97K), Maple Leafs (vs. Blackhawks): Andersen is 4-2-3 in his last nine games, but he has posted a .939 SV% over that span -- including a start in which he got pulled after three goals. He will be faded against the perennial Stanley Cup contenders, but he could return excellent value.
Bargain Plays
- C Mark Letestu (25K), Oilers (vs. Canucks): Letestu won't have much appeal as a fourth-line center, but has been quite the power-play specialist for the Oilers this season. Eight of his 13 goals have come with the man advantage and Vancouver has the fifth-worst penalty kill in the NHL.
- RW Jannik Hansen (32K), Sharks (vs. Ducks): Hansen has only one point in five games since being dealt to the Sharks, but his first-line real estate provides outstanding value.
- D Jake Gardiner (33K), Maple Leafs (vs. Blackhawks): Gardiner was promoted to Toronto's top D pairing alongside Nikita Zaitsev in their last game against the Lightning. Since the game was a blowout from the get go, he didn't play a substantial amount of minutes, but that could change in a potentially tight contest with Chicago.
Top Fades
- C Derick Brassard (51K), Senators (vs. Canadiens): Brassard might be the most overpriced player on Squad Up. He barely averages half a point per game and he will have to face Carey Price. Not a recipe for success.
- LW Andre Burakovsky (45K), Capitals (at Lightning): Burakovsky will be playing his first game in nearly a month and a half. He could be eased back into action and shouldn't be drafted with a mid-tier salary.
- RW Brendan Gallagher (50K), Canadiens (at Senators): The Senators have become a defensive juggernaut under head coach Guy Boucher. It's hard to trust Gallagher in this contest considering he has just four points in his last 24 games.
Contrarian Options
- C Auston Matthews (62K), Maple Leafs (vs. Blackhawks): Matthews has gone seven games without a point, which will lead to low ownership. Although, his 5.39 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) is the best in the NHL among players with at least 20 games played. He has too much talent to stay quiet for this long.
- C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (54K), Oilers (vs. Canucks): With McDavid and Leon Draisaitl listed at the same position, Nugent-Hopkins won't have high ownership. However, he has goals in back-to-back games and should play with a little extra pep in his step against his hometown team.
- D Erik Karlsson (58K), Senators (vs. Canadiens): Karlsson's ownership will be down in the dumps since Brent Burns has a better matchup. Though, it is worth noting Karlsson has 28 points in 33 career games vs. Montreal and has been playing great lately amidst Ottawa's flurry of injuries.
(Photos courtesy Action Images)
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