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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for xxx (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET: Carey Price (86K), Canadiens (at Maple Leafs): Since the beginning of December, Price owns a pedestrian .903 save percentage in 12 games, amassing a 6-3-3 record. The good news is he stopped 22 of 23 shots in a win against the Predators in his last game. At his salary, Price can be trusted.
- BARGAIN: Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Senators): Holtby should never cost the minimum. He ended the Blue Jackets epic winning streak with a shutout on Thursday and the Senators are a mid-range scoring team, at best, averaging 2.35 expected goals for per 60 minutes.
- FADE: Frederik Andersen (108K), Maple Leafs (vs. Canadiens): It initially looked like rookie Antoine Bibeau would draw the start with Andersen having played Friday. It was confirmed Saturday morning that Andersen would get back-to-back duties. At his salary, he's too risky despite his solid play.
- CONTRARIAN: Jake Allen (93K), Blues (vs. Stars): Allen left the team to join the birth of his child, which could keep him from starting. It will cause him to be ignored in most rosters, so if he gets cleared to play he will make for a great tournament play despite his shaky play this season.
Bargain Plays
- C Frank Vatrano (30K), Bruins (at Panthers): In seven games at the NHL level, Vatrano has a respectable four points and is usually good for a couple hits to push his floor up a bit. He's also seen his playing time tick upward, playing close to 16 minutes in each of his last two games. With opportunity comes reward.
- LW Matthew Tkachuk (27K), Flames (vs. Canucks): Tkachuk's low salary is something of a mystery. He is riding an eight-game point streak, mostly assists, and the Canucks are expected to start backup G Jacob Markstrom. Vancouver won round one Friday, expect Tkachuk to deliver in the rematch.
- RW Cal Clutterbuck (26K), Islanders (at Coyotes): Good thing Squad Up tallies hits, because that's Clutterbuck's bread and butter. His ice time is often limited due to a lack of overall scoring ability, but he's tallied six hits three times in his last 10 games. If he bounces one into the net, he'll be a massive bargain.
Top Fades
- D Shayne Gostisbehere (46K), Flyers (vs. Lightning): Either pay for the big names or go cheap in lieu of Gostisbehere. His salary reflects his surprise success from 2015-16. And though he has three assists in his last four games, he's been a nightly bust more often than not. He's better suited to season-long leagues.
- LW Daniel Sedin (54K), Canucks (at Flames): While both teams are on even footing playing the second half of a home-and-home, Sedin is difficult to trust. He has barely factored into the Canucks' six-game win streak and only has one point in his last eight.
- C John Tavares (69K), Islanders (at Coyotes): Tavares doesn't travel well, and while random chance plays a part, his numbers are noticeably worse away from Brooklyn. At his salary, even against the Coyotes, Tavares should be avoided in all formats on Saturday.
Contrarian Options
- C Anze Kopitar (67K), Kings (vs. Wild): Kopitar has only two points in 11 games, and he hasn't scored a goal since December 13. He's been fairly unlucky, failing to convert any of his 26 shots on goal in those 11 games. His 4.1 shooting percentage is incomprehensible, and a change could come against Darcy Kuemper, the visiting backup getting a spot start in net.
- LW Alex Steen (53K), Blues (vs. Stars): Steen is a general disappointment in the goal scoring department, but he still has 21 points in 33 games. The Stars are fourth worst in expected goals against per 60 minutes, so Steen is in a great position to overcome his struggles. He has three points in the two games since the dawn of a new year.
- RW Wayne Simmonds (60K), Flyers (vs. Lightning): Wading through a bit of a cold spell, Simmonds does so much on the ice that he's a must even when he's not scoring. Simmonds might be the most balanced fantasy option because he scores, gets helpers, hits everything that moves and takes a ton of shots. Don't let the drought get you down.
