NHL GPP Barn Burner: 3-17-16

Goalies

I am going a bit off the wall here with this one, and Thomas Greiss does have serious upside for tournaments. He also carries the possibility for disaster. Nashville generates the tenth most shots on goal per game, while New York has allowed the 13th most. Both teams are a bit up and down, Nashville ranks 13th in goals per game, but can go missing in action from time to time. The Islanders have allowed the sixth fewest goals per game. Both are fairly mediocre in my opinion, and now we will see who comes out on top tonight. Greiss has a 2.23 GAA in the last three games, and has a .941 adjusted save percentage (via War On Ice).

Top Skaters

Since the break Dallas has allowed 3.57 goals per game, which is tops in the NHL. Tampa Bay has turned it on a bit offensively after a pretty lackluster first half. They are scoring 2.86 goals per game since the break, and Steven Stamkos has three multi-point games in the last ten. He also has a whole lot of nothing inbetween. I will be targeting him tonight in tournaments, as he should fly under the radar given his inconsistency, and the other top center options.

Anytime I am on this artcile, I am locking in Brent Burns. He has 13 points in the last ten games, with four coming on the man advantage. He has 68 points on the season, and is a big part of what makes this San Jose offense go. Arizona has allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing defenseman this season, and have allowed 3.25 goals per game since the break, which has been about the same all year. Burns has 12 shots on goal in two games against Arizona this season, and also two helpers. His peripheral stats are just icing on the cake.

Columbus has not been the easy pushover team they were earlier this season, but they are allowing 2.78 goals per game since the break. Detroit is sort of sputtering out here towards the end of the season, and will need to put something together with Philadelphia overtaking them in the wild card. Dylan Larkin has 43 points this season, but just one point in the last ten games. This will turn a lot of people off of him, but let's look for him to bounce back. Columbus has allowed the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing right wings season.

Florida comes in as one of the top high scoring teams tonight, as expected facing Toronto. The Maple Leafs have allowed the fifth most goals per game since the all-star break, and Florida is scoring just a shade under three since then. Toronto ranks in the middle of the league in fantasy points allowed per game to left wings, and struggle down a man. They rank in the bottom half in PK%, and PPGA. Huberdeau is on the top powerplay unit, which should get some work tonight. He is fairly cheap, but packs upside of a top winger.

Value Plays

If you are looking for a cheap goalie, Matt Murray is drawing the start for Pittsburgh tonight, and allows you to pay up with skaters. Pittsburgh are -189 favorites, and Carolina is +135to score over two goals. Murray has only drawn a few starts this season, but has a .934 SV%, and a 1.82 GAA. Carolina ranks 25th in goals per game, so not an overly tough matchup for the netminder.

Joonas Donskoi (W - SJ) FD: $3,700 DK: $4,100

A cheap way to get exposure to San Jose is with their second line right winger. Arizona struggles on all aspects of defense, and have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing left wingers. He is coming off of a multi-point game against Boston, and sees time on the powerplay.

Anton Stralman (D - TB) FD: $4,800 DK: $4,800

I mentioned Dallas' struggle keeping the puck out of the net of late, and they have also allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing defenseman this season. Anton Stralman is at a decent price tonight, for a defenseman with 33 points on the season. Much like the other Tampa players, he has been a bit boom or bust. I will lean on him tonight at these prices.