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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Sunday, April 16 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
C Eric Staal (40K) & D Ryan Suter (28K), Wild (at Blues): Going with Staal at center will differentiate your lineup nicely, as most fantasy players will select either Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. The playoff veteran has played 44 minutes through the first two games, firing six shots and picking up five hits. Suter has played a whopping 61 minutes. The cheap prices and hefty workloads are an economical play.
C Sidney Crosby (68K) & LW Conor Sheary (39K), Penguins (at Blue Jackets): Crosby and Sheary will be a much more common duo. With Sheary's friendly salary and spot alongside Crosby, he's a fantastic selection in any fantasy format. Crosby as three points through Pittsburgh's first two games as the Pens have potted seven goals against Sergei Bobrovsky.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Carey Price (94K), Canadiens (at Rangers): Price's price is too attractive for an elite level goalie. He has the individual skill set to take over any game and will be a major key should Montreal pick up a win away from home. Though he has surrendered five goals to open the series, Price's reputation and career body of work and should be trusted.
FADE - Sergei Bobrovsky (123K), Blue Jackets (vs. Penguins): On the other end of the pricing spectrum is Bobrovsky. While he had a fantastic season, the Pittsburgh offense is too dangerous to test at this price. Why pay top dollar to go against Crosby and co.?
Bargain Plays
LW Patrick Maroon (34K), Oilers (at Sharks): Like Sheary, Maroon plays alongside his team's most talented player and comes with a cheap price tag. Expect many to pair Maroon with McDavid, while others go with Crosby and Sheary. Maroon has four shots and is playing 16 minutes a night through the first two games.
D Justin Schultz (31K), Penguins (at Blue Jackets): Schultz has been Pittsburgh's most active defenseman, playing over 19 minutes per night, taking six shots, and picking up one assist thus far. With the Pittsburgh offense tallying seven goals through two games, cheap exposure to their back end is a smart play.
Top Fades
C Joe Pavelski (82K), Sharks (vs. Oilers): There's little reason to pay for Pavelski when Crosby and McDavid can be had for substantially less. With Cam Talbot coming off a Game 2 shutout, don't test your luck by grabbing the highest priced but not the most talented center available.
RW Nino Niederreiter (38K), Wild (at Blues): Niederreiter has struggled to open the series, taking just two shots despite playing 22 minutes. More importantly, he saw his minutes total slashed in half in Game 2, playing just 11 minutes. He's coming off a breakout season, but the playoff atmosphere may be impacting his confidence.
Contrarian Option
C Sam Gagner (29K), Blue Jackets (vs. Penguins): Gagner has a minus-3 rating in Columbus' opening two losses. He has, however, taken six shots and played nearly six power play minutes over those contests. With the Pittsburgh leading 2-0, Columbus will have to kick it into high gear on home-ice. If they're power play can click, Gagner should be involved.
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 Sunday, April 16 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
C Eric Staal (40K) & D Ryan Suter (28K), Wild (at Blues): Going with Staal at center will differentiate your lineup nicely, as most fantasy players will select either Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. The playoff veteran has played 44 minutes through the first two games, firing six shots and picking up five hits. Suter has played a whopping 61 minutes. The cheap prices and hefty workloads are an economical play.
C Sidney Crosby (68K) & LW Conor Sheary (39K), Penguins (at Blue Jackets): Crosby and Sheary will be a much more common duo. With Sheary's friendly salary and spot alongside Crosby, he's a fantastic selection in any fantasy format. Crosby as three points through Pittsburgh's first two games as the Pens have potted seven goals against Sergei Bobrovsky.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Carey Price (94K), Canadiens (at Rangers): Price's price is too attractive for an elite level goalie. He has the individual skill set to take over any game and will be a major key should Montreal pick up a win away from home. Though he has surrendered five goals to open the series, Price's reputation and career body of work and should be trusted.
FADE - Sergei Bobrovsky (123K), Blue Jackets (vs. Penguins): On the other end of the pricing spectrum is Bobrovsky. While he had a fantastic season, the Pittsburgh offense is too dangerous to test at this price. Why pay top dollar to go against Crosby and co.?
Bargain Plays
LW Patrick Maroon (34K), Oilers (at Sharks): Like Sheary, Maroon plays alongside his team's most talented player and comes with a cheap price tag. Expect many to pair Maroon with McDavid, while others go with Crosby and Sheary. Maroon has four shots and is playing 16 minutes a night through the first two games.
D Justin Schultz (31K), Penguins (at Blue Jackets): Schultz has been Pittsburgh's most active defenseman, playing over 19 minutes per night, taking six shots, and picking up one assist thus far. With the Pittsburgh offense tallying seven goals through two games, cheap exposure to their back end is a smart play.
Top Fades
C Joe Pavelski (82K), Sharks (vs. Oilers): There's little reason to pay for Pavelski when Crosby and McDavid can be had for substantially less. With Cam Talbot coming off a Game 2 shutout, don't test your luck by grabbing the highest priced but not the most talented center available.
RW Nino Niederreiter (38K), Wild (at Blues): Niederreiter has struggled to open the series, taking just two shots despite playing 22 minutes. More importantly, he saw his minutes total slashed in half in Game 2, playing just 11 minutes. He's coming off a breakout season, but the playoff atmosphere may be impacting his confidence.
Contrarian Option
C Sam Gagner (29K), Blue Jackets (vs. Penguins): Gagner has a minus-3 rating in Columbus' opening two losses. He has, however, taken six shots and played nearly six power play minutes over those contests. With the Pittsburgh leading 2-0, Columbus will have to kick it into high gear on home-ice. If they're power play can click, Gagner should be involved.
