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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Wednesday, March 29 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
- LW Marcus Johansson (34K) & C Evgeny Kuznetsov (45K), Capitals (at Avalanche): The Capitals second line played just 20.55 percent of the 5v5 minutes in Tuesday's overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. The top line of LW Alex Ovechkin, C Nicklas Backstrom and RW T.J. Oshie logged 26.03 percent of the minutes. The second line has a superior possession rating at 5v5 and averages a similar amount of scoring chances per 60.
- LW Richard Panik (34K) & C Jonathan Toews (55K), Blackhawks (at Penguins): The Penguins sit fourth in the NHL standings, but their defense has been poor. Injuries can take the blame, and they remain without Ds Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey. Their 2.64 expected goals per 60 minutes on home ice ranks 25th. Chicago's top line played over 27 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out.
- LW Max Domi (49K) & RW Radim Vrbata (48K), Coyotes (vs. Blues): Arizona sits near the bottom of the league in every major defensive metric. The Blues have been worse on the road than the Coyotes are on home ice over the past month. St. Louis is expected to score 2.06 goals per 60 minutes, while Arizona is expected to put up 2.86 goals per 60. Domi's line played 26 percent of the last game.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Bargain Plays
- C Nick Schmaltz (25K), Blackhawks (at Penguins): Schmaltz was much more appealing when he was centering the Blackhawks' second line than he is while beside Toews with the two sharing a position. He did dish out two assists in his most recent game, while playing 15:38. The line was Chicago's most frequently used threesome but played just 13.26 percent of the 5v5 minutes.
- D Matt Niskanen (25K), Capitals (at Avalanche): The trade-deadline acquisition of D Kevin Shattenkirk has cut into Niskanen's power-play time, but he still played nearly 15 percent of the available PP TOI. He has topped 22 minutes of total ice time in each of his past three games.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Top Fades
- LW Alexander Steen (66K), Blues (at Coyotes): The Blues horrible play on the road was noted above. Steen has been a big part of their struggles as just four of his 14 goals have come as a visitor this season. He has 32 points in 34 games at home but just 17 points in 35 home games. Steen has already been dropped to the third line with C Patrik Berglund and LW David Perron.
- C Nathan MacKinnon (64K), Avalanche (vs. Capitals): Those hoping to take advantage of a tired Capitals team will need to think again. Many expect G Philipp Grubauer to be the first goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights, and he has offered little more opportunity to opposing offenses than starter Braden Holtby this season. MacKinnon remains with just 15 goals and 48 points on the season.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Contrarian Options
- D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (43K), Coyotes (vs. Blues): Any stack of the Coyotes' forwards is extremely inexpensive, making OEL a logical inclusion. He has gone point-less in three consecutive games, playing at least 25 minutes in each of his past two. He isn't even the most expensive D on a thin slate.
- LW Artemi Panarin (61K), Blackhawks (at Penguins): The overall performance of Chicago's second line suffers with C Tanner Kero filling in for the injured Artem Anisimov. The lower expectations makes Panarin the better choice over RW Patrick Kane, due to his more reasonable salary. He's totaled at least four SOG in all but one of his past five games.
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