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Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Former Vezina winner is surprisingly affordable

Greg Bartram / USA Today

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Friday, December 9 (advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):

Goalie Breakdown

  • TARGET - Sergei Bobrovsky (75K), Blue Jackets (at Red Wings): Bobrovsky is the biggest reason why the Blue Jackets find themselves holding onto a Wild Card spot. The 2012-13 Vezina winner has a .930 SV% and a 2.03 GAA, with two of his three shutouts coming on the road. The Red Wings own the league's second-worst FF% (Fenwick For percentage) at 5v5.
  • FADE - Robin Lehner (104K), Sabres (vs. Capitals): Lehner is having a fine season, but it is not worth forking up 104K on him when there are more affordable options with longer track records of success. Furthermore, Lehner is faced with a difficult matchup against Alex Ovechkin and the Caps.

Triple Threat

  • C Adam Henrique (38K), LW Taylor Hall (68K), RW P.A. Parenteau (41K), Devils (vs. Blues): Henrique, Hall and Parenteau have played just over 40 minutes together at 5v5, but they have taken 27 shots and generated nine scoring chances as a trio. The Blues are a tough matchup on paper, but they are just 3-7-1 on the road and will be starting Jake Allen on back-to-back nights.
  • C Eric Staal (47K), RW Nino Niederreiter (45K), D Ryan Suter (35K), Wild (vs. Oilers): The Oilers have tried to fix their defensive woes, but they still have the fifth-highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) at 5v5. The Wild are 4-1-2 over their last seven games. They should benefit from facing a tired Oilers team that played on Thursday night.
  • C Derek Stepan (47K), LW Chris Kreider (48K), RW Mats Zuccarello (45K), Rangers (at Blackhawks): Chicago is missing their two biggest pieces when it comes to preventing goals: goaltender Corey Crawford and center Jonathan Toews. Without Toews, the Hawks only have one proven line. The speed and creativity of this Rangers line should take full advantage.

Bargain Plays

  • D Alex Pietrangelo (28K), Blues (at Devils): Pietrangelo is quietly one of the best D-men in the entire league, but more so for his defensive game. Yet, with 14 points, 67 shots and 57 blocks, he should not be this inexpensive - especially since Keith Kinkaid will be in goal for New Jersey.
  • RW Michael Grabner (25K), Rangers (at Blackhawks): Grabner had 12 goals in his first 20 games, but his expected regression has come to fruition, scoring just once in his last seven games. But at 25K, it is more than worth taking a chance on Grabner and his game-breaking speed. He is among the league leaders in iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5.
  • LW Nick Ritchie (25K), Ducks (vs. Sharks): Ritchie has been granted a glorious opportunity to skate on Anaheim's top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. He has only six goals on the season, but he can be drafted in both cash games and tournaments because his 78 hits make him a high-floor option.

Top Fades

  • C Ryan O'Reilly (71K), Sabres (vs. Capitals): O'Reilly is a great two-way player, but he isn't an elite offensive center, therefore he shouldn't be priced like one. With that salary and a matchup against the Capitals, you're better off spending 71K elsewhere.
  • RW Kyle Okposo (60K), Sabres (vs. Capitals): Same goes for Okposo - good player with a bad matchup and an inflated salary. Wiser investments can be made with 60K.
  • LW Tomas Tatar (58K), Red Wings (vs. Blue Jackets): Four of Tatar's 11 points on the season have come in his last three games, but it shouldn't warrant a salary of 58K. He and the Wings will have a tough time cracking Sergei Bobrosvky.

Contrarian Options

  • C Jack Eichel (46K), Sabres (vs. Capitals): Unlike his teammates O'Reilly and Okposo, Eichel actually comes with a reasonable salary. Even excluding salary, Eichel's talent gives him more upside than both of the aforementioned players. Most of his season has been lost to injury, but he has three goals, two assists and 16 shots in five games.
  • RW Patrick Kane (81K), Blackhawks (vs. Rangers): Kane is far and away the most expensive skater on Squad Up. His matchup against Henrik Lundqvist isn't exactly the most favorable one out there. He is so expensive for a reason - his upside in unmatched. He is always capable of reeling off a multi-point game, and can do so against any goalie.

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