Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Expect a beatdown by the Blueshirts in the Big Apple

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Sunday, November 27 (games starting prior to 6 p.m. ET are not included; all advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):

Triple Threat

  • C Kevin Hayes (41K), LW J.T. Miller (50K), RW Michael Grabner (32K), Rangers (vs. Senators): The well-rested Rangers and their league-best offense will catch the Sens on their second game in as many nights. There's a chance Ottawa will rest G Craig Anderson, but even if they don't, 35-year-old goalies playing back-to-back nights isn't a recipe for success.
  • C Sean Monahan (42K), LW Micheal Ferland (25K), RW Troy Brouwer (41K), Flames (at Flyers): Ferland and Brouwer don't have a ton of offensive upside, but their physicality (combined 103 hits) give them high floors. The trio could muster together a couple of goals with G Anthony Stolarz making his NHL debut in net for the Flyers.
  • C Claude Giroux (62K), LW Michael Raffl (26K), RW Jakub Voracek (70K), Flyers (vs. Flames): If Stolarz struggles in his NHL debut it could make for a high-scoring game considering Brian Elliott (.882 SV%, 3.43 GAA) is projected to be between the pipes for Calgary. Giroux and Voracek can do the heavy lifting, with a chance Raffl lucks in with a phantom assist or garbage goal.

Bargain Plays

  • D Radko Gudas, Flyers (vs. Flames): Gudas isn't known as an offensive defenseman, but he surprisingly has seven points in 16 games this season. This production won't last but what will hold true is his 68 hits and 45 blocks, giving him an exceptionally high floor in Squad Up with a minimum price tag.
  • C Travis Konecny (30K), Flyers (vs. Flames): Konecny is enjoying a stellar rookie campaign with 12 points in 22 games. He has great value in Squad Up thanks to his 37 hits and 29 PIMs.
  • G James Reimer (77K), Panthers (at Hurricanes): Reimer is expected to start in the cage for the Panthers. He has struggled this season which is why his salary is hovering around the minimum. However, he has a .931 SV% and a 2.13 GAA in 12 career games against the Hurricanes.

Top Fades

  • C Derick Brassard (49K), Senators (at Rangers): Brassard is bound to start producing at a higher level considering his shooting percentage is just 5.3 and he is getting more iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5 this season compared to last. Yet, don't bank on a turnaround against his former team as long as Henrik Lundqvist is in goal.
  • D Dougie Hamilton (45K), Flames (at Flyers): In Squad Up you're better off investing in an elite defenseman like Erik Karlsson, who costs only 55K, or settling for someone like Gudas, who has a high floor and a minimum salary. Someone like Hamilton, who has just 10 points in 23 games, doesn't provide much intrigue.
  • G Craig Anderson (85K), Senators (at Rangers): As mentioned, Anderson is a 35-year-old goalie who will be playing on back-to-back nights if he gets the call. The Rangers lead the league in goals by a wide margin, but they also rank first in PDO (sum of Sh% and SV%), third in xGF (expected goals for) and second in SCF60.

Contrarian Options

  • C Aleksander Barkov (47K), Panthers (at Hurricanes): Barkov has been a fantasy bust so far this season, so his Squad Up ownership will likely be down Sunday, just like his salary. However, his 5.3 shooting percentage is bound to progress and only three of his 10 assists have been secondary helpers. If Cam Ward starts, it'll be his second game in as many nights.
  • D Erik Karlsson (55K), Senators (at Rangers): Karlsson will be left almost unowned against the Rangers, but his salary is comparable to a mid-tier forward, despite his top-tier forward-like production. The Rangers play a bit of a run n' gun type game, which is right up Karlsson's alley considering his transition game is second to none.
  • D Aaron Ekblad (33K), Panthers (at Hurricanes): If you can't afford Karlsson and want a contrarian on the back end, consider Ekblad. He has just five points this year, all coming via goals. The 20-year-old logs over 23 minutes a game and is bound to luck into a few assists here and there. It's strange considering he had 48 assists in his first two seasons.

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