Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Thursday, November 17:
Triple Threat
- C Ryan Spooner (37K), RW David Backes (38K), D Torrey Krug (34K), Bruins (at Wild): The Bruins top line of C Patrice Bergeron, LW Brad Marchand and RW David Pastrnak have the highest 5v5 Corsi rating of any trio with more than 70 minutes played together. The Wild's top threesome ranks second. Boston's second line has a much better advantage.
- LW Nick Ritchie (27K), C Ryan Getzlaf (77K), RW Corey Perry (69K), Ducks (vs. Devils): Anaheim's top trio has a Corsi For rating of 58.95 percent, just a few points below Minnesota's. They'll face a Devils team which has gotten off to a great start but will begin life without LW Taylor Hall (knee). They won't be able to sustain possession at nearly the same rate.
- LW Daniel Sedin (67K), C Henrik Sedin (61K), D Alexander Edler (33K), Canucks (vs. Coyotes): A rare opportunity to roster the top trio from the league's second-worst offensive team. The Canucks' top trio has a CF% of 58.61, per Corsica.Hockey. While still scoring just 2.00 goals per game, they face a Coyotes team allowing 3.40 per game, the third-highest average in the league.
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - John Gibson (95K), Ducks (vs. Devils): The Devils 5.72 Scoring Chances For per 60 minutes of 5v5 was already the second-lowest rate in the league. They're now without leading goal scorer Taylor Hall, significantly reducing their threat to opposing goalies. Gibson allowed just one goal in each of his past two home starts.
- BARGAIN - Steve Mason (89K), Flyers (vs. Jets): Mason draws a Jets team with an Expected Goals For per 60 minutes of 5v5 of just 2.27. It's tied for the seventh-lowest rate in the league. They're scoring 2.94 goals per game in reality, but they've benefited from 11 power-play goals, while Philadelphia has allowed just 11.
- CONTRARIAN - Antti Niemi (102K), Stars (vs. Avalanche): Colorado is averaging just 5.46 SCF60, the fewest in the league. Their expected goals per 60 is just 1.89, while they score just 2.07 goals per game in all situations.
Bargain Plays
- C Pavel Zacha (25K), Devils (at Ducks): Zacha stands to benefit the most from Hall's injury as the Devils' rookie moves into a top-six role. He's expected to skate with C Adam Henrique and RW Kyle Palmieri, on the team's most formidable line. He may not see power-play time, but he will see a significant bump in his average ice time of 14:23.
- D Michael Stone (29K), Coyotes (at Canucks): Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to miss Thursday's game due to injury. Should he miss the game it'll open up more shot opportunities for Stone and likely a spot on the top power-play unit.
- RW Mikko Rantanen (28K), Avalanche (at Stars): Rantanen has recorded multiple shots in all but one game this season, and he picked up his second assist of the year in his most recent game. He should be the focus of a depleted second line featuring LW Rene Bourque and C Carl Soderberg.
Top Fades
- C Tyler Johnson (45K), Lightning (at Sabres): Ownership will be high on Johnson as daily fantasy owners turn to him to fill the void left by Steven Stamkos. The Sabres allow the second-fewest Scoring Chances Against per 60 minutes of 5v5, and they rank 11th with 2.44 goals allowed per game.
- C Ryan Kesler (50K), Ducks (vs. Devils): Kesler has five goals and two multi-goal games in his past five outings, but he is riding a ridiculous 28.6 shooting percentage through November. His streak will end.
- LW Zach Parise (63K), Wild (vs.Bruins): Parise has to go head-to-head with the dreaded Bergeron line of the Bruins. The Bruins' top trio is outscoring opponents 7-3 at 5v5 this season. Parise recorded just two SOG and no points in his first game back from injury.
Contrarian Options
- RW Jaromir Jagr (44K), Panthers (at Maple Leafs): Jagr has failed to register a shot on goal in two of his past five games, but he totaled 11 in the other three. He still has just one goal and five assists on the season, but his Corsi For rating is an excellent 56.23 percent. His 5v5 shooting percentage of 6.67 will need to rise, and Maple Leafs G Frederik Andersen should be conducive to this.
- C Martin Hanzal (43K), Coyotes (at Canucks): Hanzal recorded just one shot on goal in Wednesday's return from injury. He has tallied at least four SOG in four games this season, and the Coyotes have scored at least three goals in four of his nine games. The Canucks' porous defense will help him get back to his early-season pace.
- LW Evander Kane (42K), Sabres (vs. Lightning): Kane has just one shot on goal in his past two games, but he still played 18:36 last time out. He'll play primarily against a Lightning first line missing Stamkos, and Lightning G Ben Bishop has allowed three goals in each of his past two games.
