Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for the six-game main slate beginning at 6:00 p.m. EST, Sunday, April 9 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
- LW Chris Kreider (52K) & C Mika Zibanejad (61K), Rangers (vs. Penguins): The Penguins have given up 62.18 shot attempts per 60 minutes since March 9. They rank 29th in Corsi For percentage during the past month and their 3.12 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes is the worst in the league. They'll be resting some stars for Sunday's regular season finale.
- LW Nick Foligno (46K) & RW Cam Atkinson (46K), Blue Jackets (at Maple Leafs): The Maple Leafs were the final team to clinch their playoff spot, Saturday, and they'll have their first opportunity to rest some of their most used players in Sunday's finale. Several Blue Jackets players spoke about an upsetting loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, and the need to make the corrections before the playoffs.
- C Bo Horvat (53K) & Brock Boeser (33K), Canucks (at Oilers): The Oilers have allowed the most opponent scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past month at 10.91. Sunday's starting goalie is yet to be announced but it would make sense to provide additional rest for oft-used Cam Talbot. Boeser and Horvat have a positive Corsi rating when on the ice together.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - Braden Holtby (98K), Capitals (vs. Panthers): Holtby is priced in the middle of the pack with a slew of backup goalies starting Game 82 of the regular season. He hasn't played since shutting out the Rangers, Wednesday. The Panthers have an xGF60 of just 2.50 over the past month.
- FADE - Jake Allen (87K), Blues (vs. Avalanche): Allen is very reasonably priced and has an extremely safe matchup. Still, Colorado's low shot totals make him a dangerous play with even a goal or two allowed.
- CONTRARIAN - Antti Raanta (114K), Rangers (vs. Penguins): The Penguins poor defense has been covered up by their elite offense this season. Despite a negative Corsi rating, Pittsburgh still averages 9.44 scoring chances per 60 minutes. Raanta may give up a couple goals, but he should still grab the bonus for the victory.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Bargain Plays
- C Matt Cullen (26K), Penguins (at Rangers): Cullen has been centering RW Phil Kessel with C Evgeni Malkin out of the Penguins' lineup. He has topped 13 minutes of ice time in three of his past four games, picking up a goal and an assist in his past two outings, respectively. He could see more ice time if C Sidney Crosby plays a little less to end the regular season.
- LW Teuvo Teravainen (34K), Hurricanes (at Flyers): Teravainen played 19:25 in Saturday's shootout loss to the Blues. He has gone point-less in five games in April, but he topped 18 minutes in three of the five. He has 11 shots on goal this month with multiple SOG in four of the five outings.
- RW Pavel Buchnevich (32K), Rangers (vs. Penguins): Buchnevich plays on the right side of the aforementioned line with Kreider and Zibanejad. He has gone two games without a shot on goal but maintains a high usage.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Top Fades
- C Ryan Getzlaf (77K), Ducks (vs. Kings): Getzlaf has the worst matchup of the high-priced centers. While the Kings are out of the playoffs, they'll still want to beat their state rival. Getzlaf has three SOG in three of his past four games, but the Kings are among the best at limiting opponent shot attempts.
- LW Jonathan Huberdeau (49K), Panthers (at Capitals): Huberdeau is coming off a two-goal game with six SOG in 19:01 of ice time. His matchup becomes drastically more difficult with Holtby starting for the Capitals. Safer options exist within this salary tier.
- RW Jarome Iginla (38K), Kings (at Ducks): Iginla has gone goal-less in four consecutive games since a three-game scoring streak. He had two shots on goal in each of his past two outings, but he played less than 15 minutes in two of his past three games.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.