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Squad Up Daily Fantasy Dose: Islanders' top line set for overdue breakout

Andy Marlin / USA TODAY Sports

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Friday, October 21:

Line Stacks

  • LW Andrew Ladd (51K), C John Tavares (85K), RW Josh Bailey (54K), Islanders (vs. Coyotes): The Islanders' top trio has logged over 31 minutes together at 5v5, and they've posted a Corsi For rating of 53.49 percent. Tavares and Bailey have combined for five points, with Ladd failing to hit the score sheet. The Coyotes have allowed 15 goals in three games.
  • C Mike Ribeiro (30K), RW Craig Smith (39K), D P.K. Subban (53K), Predators (at Red Wings): The Predators' lines have been in fluctuation through a disappointing 1-2-0 start, but Ribeiro and Smith remain together. LW Filip Forsberg now joins them, replacing incumbent RW Viktor Arvidsson. Subban has nine shots in three games while logging nearly 25 minutes.
  • LW Artemi Panarin (70K), C Artem Anisimov (51K), D Duncan Keith (40K), Blackhawks (at Blue Jackets): While most Blackhawks' stacks will begin with RW Patrick Kane, his lofty Squad Up salary makes it impossible to roster a five-man team with such a stack. Anisimov has just one less point than Kane on the season, while Panarin still has three of his own through four games. Keith will play with them at 5v5 and on the power play.

Bargain Plays

  • C Riley Sheahan (25K), Red Wings (vs. Predators): While the Red Wings haven't shown any true separation between their top three lines, Sheahan is on the right side of the de facto first line with LW Justin Abdelkader and C Frans Nielsen. He is playing over 14 minutes per game, where he has registered eight shots on goal through four games.
  • D Alex Goligoski (29K), Coyotes (at Islanders): Goligoski continues to log big minutes at both 5v5 and on the power play. He's playing over 24 minutes a night, registering four SOG through three games with three assists. He plays on the second pairing at 5v5 but joins top teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson with the man advantage.
  • LW Matt Calvert (26K), Blue Jackets (vs. Blackhawks): Calvert, who is yet to top 24 points in a single season, has been planted on the left side of the top line with C Brandon Dubinsky and RW Cam Atkinson. Calvert's averaging 15:28 in ice time with four SOG through two games.

Top Fades

  • C Darren Helm (60K), Red Wings (vs. Predators): Helm has a been a big part of the Red Wings' third line, which has been the team's most effective trio thus far. He has three goals and an assist through four games, but he has registered just seven SOG. At 29 years old, he's unlikely to continue on such a path toward a breakout offensive season.
  • LW Max Domi (53K), Coyotes (at Islanders): Domi has just one assist through three games. He has totaled just eight shots on goal, and his disappointing start led to a season-low 16:15 in ice time in Thursday's game. It's the third game in four nights for Arizona while on their East Coast road trip and fatigue is likely becoming a factor.
  • D Mike Green (52K), Red Wings (vs. Predators): Green's salary will be inflated for some time after scoring a hat trick in his third game of the season earlier this week. He followed up the standout performance by failing to register a single shot in over 25 minutes of ice time. His play matches well with Nashville's wide-open style, but he'll continue to have a low floor.

Contrarian Options

  • C Martin Hanzal (62K), Coyotes (at Islanders): Hanzal is averaging 19:50 in ice time through three games. If he maintains this pace for the entire season it will be the highest average TOI of his career. His 10 shots on the season are on pace to shatter a former career high of 169 SOG. His 10 percent shooting success rate is very sustainable and right around his career norm.
  • LW Filip Forsberg (57K), Predators (at Red Wings): Forsberg's start has been incredibly disappointing, with just five SOG and two assists through his opening three games. His ice time hasn't dipped, and he's far too talented for his struggles to persist. Roll him out against a Red Wings team allowing three goals per game.
  • D Zach Werenski (25K), Blue Jackets (vs. Blackhawks): Significantly cheaper than high-profile teammate Seth Jones, Werenski has been the better of the two on the offensive end. He has nine SOG in just two games played, leading to a goal and assist. He is on the top unit at full strength and on the power play.

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