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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, March 21 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
- C Claude Giroux (58K) & RW Wayne Simmonds (56K), Flyers (at Jets): The Jets have the league's worst Corsi For percentage since Feb. 21 at 46.03. It rises slightly to 48.95 percent on home ice, but they're not the dominant home team they were for their first couple seasons in Winnipeg. The Flyers' line of Giroux, Simmonds and Jordan Weal operate at a 57.14 possession rate with 11.59 scoring chances per 60 minutes.
- LW Ondrej Palat (60K) & RW Nikita Kucherov (81K), Lightning (vs. Coyotes): Palat's lower salary allows for the stack with the significantly more expensive Kucherov. The Lightning will face a Coyotes team coming off a loss to the Nashville Predators, Monday. Arizona's expected goals against per 60 minutes of 2.89 ranks 29th in the league since Feb. 21. Tampa Bay's top line played 38 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out.
- LW Tyler Ennis (29K) & C Jack Eichel (46K), Sabres (vs. Penguins): A very contrarian stack, the Sabres will take on the vaunted Penguins on the second half of a back-to-back. Eichel scored in Monday's victory, with Ennis snapping a long point-less streak with an assist. The line, which also includes C Ryan O'Reilly played 30 percent of the 5v5 minutes. Pittsburgh is expected to allow 2.83 goals per 60 minutes.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - Antti Raanta (95K), Rangers (at Devils): The Devils have averaged 28.75 5v5 shots per 60 minutes since Feb. 21. They've averaged just 2.20 expected goals for in the same time span. Raanta has a .924 save percentage in six starts this month even though he's allowed three or more goals on three occasions.
- BARGAIN - Cam Ward (75K), Hurricanes (at Panthers): The Panthers have averaged a league-worst 6.15 5v5 scoring chances since Feb. 21, with an expected goals for per 60 of just 2.22. They still average 34.14 shots on goal, providing the opportunity for quality save totals for opposing goalies.
- FADE - Corey Crawford (133K), Blackhawks (vs. Canucks): The Canucks have averaged just 27.97 shots on goal per 60 over the past month. While Crawford has a great chance to pick up the win, he would need a shutout to return value at his salary with such a low save total being likely.
- CONTRARIAN - Calvin Pickard (75K), Avalanche (vs. Blues): The Blues 2.01 expected goals for per 60 while on the road ranks 29th since Feb. 21. Pickard allowed five goals on just 23 shots his last time out, but he had surrendered just one goal in each of his previous two outings. He's best saved for only the most courageous owners.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Bargain Plays
- C Nick Schmaltz (27K), Blackhawks (vs. Canucks): Schmaltz's salary hasn't yet caught up to his new role as the Blackhawks' second-line center. He is replacing the injured Artem Anisimov, and slots in between RW Patrick Kane and LW Artemi Panarin. He picked up two assists in his first game in the role, playing a season-high 18:49.
- LW Micheal Ferland (25K), Flames (at Capitals): Ferland is listed as questionable, but he's expected to skate on the top line with C Sean Monahan and LW Johnny Gaudreau, if active. It's a spot he has held for some time, with the line playing 22.99 percent of 5v5 minutes over the Flames' past 10 games. The three average 10.64 scoring chances per 60 minutes.
- D Brian Campbell (25K), Blackhawks (vs. Canucks): Campbell and defense partner Trevor van Riemsdyk played 35.98 percent of all 5v5 minutes in Chicago's most recent game. With partners Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson, he also played 60 percent of the power-play minutes. He has just one goal and only 16 points on the season, but his rising usage makes his minimum salary a bargain.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Top Fades
- D Dustin Byfuglien (68K), Jets (vs. Flyers): Byfuglien is priced higher than both Ds Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns, despite having a much more modest 47 points on the season. He has three goals, four assists and 29 SOG this month, but he doesn't yet deserve to be more expensive than either of the more successful options.
- RW Radim Vrbata (63K), Coyotes (at Lightning): Vrbata has no points and five SOG over his past two games, and he played just 15:33 in Monday's loss. His line was the third-most frequently used by the Coyotes at 5v5 in their last game. He's unlikely to find twine against a Lightning team allowing just 52.27 opponent shot attempts per 60 minutes over the past month.
- C Joe Pavelski (60K), Sharks (at Wild): Pavelski has gone three games without a point and has recorded just one SOG in each of his past two outings. The recent trend doesn't bode well for production against a Wild team allowing just 53.50 opponent shot attempts per 60 since Feb. 21.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Contrarian Options
- C Alex Galchenyuk (62K), Canadiens (vs. Red Wings): Galchenyuk recently rejoined Ws Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, with the three playing 26.8 percent of all 5v5 minutes over the Canadiens' last three games. Galchenyuk has just six assists and no goals this month, but he could see an uptick against a tired Red Wings team.
- LW Mike Hoffman (57K), Senators (at Bruins): Hoffman has even more shot opportunities with Senators RW Mark Stone sidelined. He has no goals in his past four games, but he totaled 10 SOG in the span. He has an assist in three consecutive games, typically factoring into any of the team's offense.
- D Victor Hedman (49K), Lightning (vs. Coyotes): Hedman's salary has fallen to an ideal level for a perfect slump-busting matchup. He has just one point (a goal) in his past four games, totaling just seven SOG. He hasn't played less than 22 minutes since Feb. 19, and he topped out at 25:09 his last time out.
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