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Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Predators' depth grossly unmatched by Islanders

Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / Getty

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Monday, March 27 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):

Dynamic Duos

  • LW Kevin Fiala (31K) & RW James Neal (54K), Predators (at Islanders): The Predators have a lot more depth then Islanders at both forward and defense. The second line of Fiala, C Calle Jarnkrok and Neal was one of two to play more than 20 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out, as the team does away with juggling trios. The trio has a Corsi For rating of 59.32 percent in over 43 minutes together at 5v5.
  • LW Jeff Skinner (55K) & RW Lee Stempniak (44K), Hurricanes (vs. Red Wings): The Red Wings play their second of a nearly unprecedented three games in a row. They're coming off a 3-2 victory Sunday, and now make the long journey from Minnesota to Carolina. The Skinner line was used for 25.82 percent of the 5v5 lines in the Hurricanes most recent game, and the trio averages 10.57 scoring chances per 60 minutes.
  • C Vincent Trocheck (50K) & RW Reilly Smith (38K), Panthers (at Sabres): The Trocheck line led the Panthers with 19.88 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out and averages 54.57 percent of the on-ice shot attempts. Trocheck, Smith and LW Jussi Jokinen average just 6.76 scoring chances per 60 minutes, but the Sabres have allowed 10.93 chances per 60 since Feb. 27.

(Photo courtesy Action Images)

Goalie Breakdown

  • TARGET - James Reimer (104K), Panthers (at Sabres): The Sabres have averaged over 32 SOG per 60 minutes over the past month, but they've resulted in just 8.76 scoring chances and 2.46 expected goals per 60 minutes. Sabres C Jack Eichel has been among the league's best in 2017, but he has been the only consistent contributor to the offense.
  • BARGAIN - Pekka Rinne (90K), Predators (at Islanders): The Islanders have averaged just 7.94 scoring chances and 2.34 expected goals for per 60 minutes since Feb. 27. They do manage 29.11 shots on goal per 60 minutes, providing Rinne the opportunity for a reasonably high saves total with low-risk shots.
  • FADE - Jake Allen (129K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): Allen and the Blues are heavy favorites against the lowly Coyotes but the win bonus may not be enough for him to return value at a position-leading salary. Arizona has averaged 8.59 scoring chances per 60 minutes on just 29.53 SOG since Feb. 27. One or two goals allowed and it will be a lackluster fantasy performance by Allen.
  • CONTRARIAN - Brian Elliott (126K), Flames (vs. Avalanche): Much of the same applies to Elliott, as he'll face an Avalanche team averaging a league-low 25.42 SOG per 60 minutes over the last month. Elliott's recent form allows for a likely shutout bonus, as he owns a .943 save percentage with two shutouts over his past nine starts.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Bargain Plays

  • LW Zach Sanford (25K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): Sanford has topped 12:30 of ice time in each of his past three games, after two games below 10 minutes. He's expected to skate on the second with C Patrik Berglund and LW David Perron. A second-line opportunity will serve fantasy owners in such a favorable matchup.
  • RW Joshua Ho-Sang (27K), Islanders (vs. Predators): Ho-Sang has logged a total of 36 minutes in his past two games, playing at least 17:21 in each outing. He is being used on the second line at 5v5 with LW Andrew Ladd and C Anthony Beauvillier, while also seeing work on the point for the second power-play unit.
  • D Erik Johnson (29K), Avalanche (at Flames): Johnson logged 23:43 in his most recent game, marking his highest TOI total since returning from injury in late February. He's seeing work on only the second power play but his salary won't remain this low for long if his ice time continues to climb.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Top Fades

  • C Ryan Johansen (56K), Predators (at Islanders): Johansen is locked into the enviable position of the Predators' fist-line center, but he hasn't factored into the offense generated by LWs Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson with enough frequency to be worthy of this salary. He had two assists last time out, but he has no SOG over his past two games and no goals in his past five.
  • RW Vladimir Tarasenko (111K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): It's extremely difficult for a forward to return value on this high of a salary, even in such a nice matchup. Tarasenko, particularly, does not block enough shots or make enough hits to help compensate for any diminished offense performance. Fantasy owners are better off take a couple of his teammates at more reasonable salaries.
  • D Duncan Keith (47K), Blackhawks (at Lightning): The Lightning rank fourth in the league since Feb. 27 with just 2.19 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. Keith has just one goal in March and none over his past five games. He does have two assists during the goal-less drought and seven this month, but he has topped two SOG in just four games.

(Photo courtesy Action Images)

Contrarian Options

  • D Alex Pietrangelo (51K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): While teammate Colton Parayko starts a higher percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone, Pietrangelo still finishes his shifts in the opponents' send more frequently. He already has a five-year high in goals on the season, including two in his past four games.
  • LW Jonathan Drouin (62K), Lightning (vs. Blackhawks): Drouin went without a point in his most recent game, but he was previously on a streak with five points in three games. He has topped 18 minutes in each of his past three games. The Blackhawks are commonly avoided, but G Corey Crawford has a goals against average of 2.88 when on the road this season.
  • C Mikael Backlund (63K), Flames (vs. Avalanche): Backlund has racked up 32 SOG through 11 games this month, tallying three or more in all but four games. He has been operating at a low 6.3 shooting percentage, regression from his 17.9 rate last month. He topped 20 minutes of ice time in each of his past two games, providing plenty of opportunity against the lowly Avalanche.

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