Here are the top against-the-grain selections for Monday's five-game slate:
C Logan Couture, Sharks (vs. Senators)
Though he has just one goal and two assists since returning to the Sharks' lineup, Couture has registered multiple shots on goal in each of his past three games. He was credited with a staggering 11 SOG against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, in only 18:24 minutes of ice time. The Senators own the league's fourth-worst Corsi For Percentage for the season, at a paltry 46.8%.
Couture centers the third line at 5v5, but he joins Cs Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, W Patrick Marleau, and D Brent Burns on the top power-play unit. The Senators are owners of the undesirable combination of the league's second-worst penalty-kill percentage, and the 11th-most minor penalties.
W Taylor Hall, Oilers (at Panthers)
Hall has failed to score in six consecutive games, and he's typically far better at home - with 29 points there compared to 13 on the road - but he's in a great spot against the reeling Panthers. After winning 12 straight games, the Panthers concluded their six-game road trip with three consecutive losses and were outscored 12-3 over that span.
Hall has just one assist in his past six games, but he has registered eight SOG over his past three. The Panthers have been the league's worst possession team since the beginning of January. It's a good spot for Hall to turn his offensive game around, while his price continues to drop.
D Rasmus Ristolainen, Sabres (at Coyotes)
With so many expensive defensemen on Monday's slate, including Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson going head-to-head, Ristolainen is bound to have a lower ownership than he normally would. Ristolainen's matchup against the Coyotes is among the best of the night, due to Arizona's floundering possession numbers.
Ristolainen has a goal and an assist in his past three games, with seven SOG in that span. He's blocked four shots as well. He regularly returns value and in a matchup that may be conducive to goal scoring he could reach his upside.
G Craig Anderson, Senators (at Sharks)
Anderson enters with two wins in his past three starts, having made at least 30 saves in each of the three games. He has stopped 97 of 105 shots on goal in that span. At the other end, Martin Jones has won four consecutive games, but he allowed eight goals during the streak.
The save totals provide Anderson with the necessary, safe floor, and a second straight West Coast win would greatly exceed value.
