This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Hey! Mike G here, making a cameo appearance on the Daily Puck. There's only two games on this Friday slate, and call me crazy -- you wouldn't be the first -- but I actually prefer mini-slates when it comes to assembling a daily lineup. With the limited player pool, you'll find yourself spending less time mulling over lineup decisions and more of it enjoying what lies ahead in the games. In DFS, there's only so many players to chose from, and in season-long formats, you'll probably want to start anyone with a pulse.
Speaking of a lack of games, be advised that the NHL will be implementing a five-day bye week, which has already been scheduled for each club between Jan. 1 - Feb. 28. Apparently, players won't even be able to practice during this period. Per ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the decision to add bye weeks was made with consideration to the World Cup of Hockey -- the international tournament took place in the fall with Team Canada winning -- and the NHL Players' Association also agreed to preserve the 3-on-3 All-Star format with the stipulation that said break would be in place for all teams. It'll certainly be interesting to see how players hold up after the hiatus, but obviously it's a deliberate attempt by the NHLPA to help prevent injuries following hockey's various special events.
Without further ado, here's what's on tap for Friday:
Matchups
Wild (PP: 13, PK: 14) at Flames (PP: 30, PK:28), 9:00 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Devan Dubnyk (9-6-2, 1.66, .946), Chad Johnson (8-4-1, 2.06, .930)
Key Injuries:Lance Bouma (shoulder), Johnny Gaudreau (finger), Ladislav Smid (neck), Victor Bartley (triceps), Zac Dalpe (knee),Christian Folin (knee)
4-5-3 -- That's the road record for Minnesota's hockey club this season. Devan Dubnyk is a virtual lock to start in this next game, as backup Darcy Kuemper started Tuesday against the Canucks and proceeded to get shelled to the tune of five goals on 35 shots. Dubnyk already has a league-leading four shutouts this season and ranks second in each of the key peripheral categories. Zach Parise has dealt with an injury to his foot this season. While currently healthy, he's been limited to nine points (four goals, five assists) in 15 games.
The Flames are atrocious on special teams and Johnny Hockey's absence just plain sucks. Despite missing the past nine games, he's tied with Alex Ovechkin with 89 points since the start of the 2015-16 campaign. Goalie Chad Johnson is fresh off a shutout over the Leafs and went 7-3-0 with a 1.80 GAA in 10 November games. Brian Elliott who?
Canadiens (PP:23, PK: 15) at Sharks (PP:14, PK:20), 10:30 p.m.
Expected Goalies:Carey Price (13-2-1, 1.68, .947), Martin Jones (12-8-1, 2.04, .921)
Key Injuries:Nathan Beaulieu (neck), Charles Hudon (chest), Zach Redmond (foot), Tomas Hertl (knee), Tommy Wingels (undisclosed)
The Habs have given Price three starts on the road compared to 13 at home, but the league's current save percentage leader (.947) will draw another away game here. Montreal lost to the Ducks on Tuesday, with Andrew Shaw as the lone goal scorer in the contest. He was ultimately ejected by the zebras following a meltdown in the penalty box. While the Sharks have only been decent on the power play, guys like Shaw cannot afford to lose their cool in this next one, as Team Teal is stacked with proven playmakers in the top six.
Goalie Martin Jones has fared well against the Habs in his young career, having won three of four games to complement a 2.25 GAA. That's a small sample to be sure, but he's also won seven of 10 contests at home this season to go along with a robust .934 save mark. The Sharks are on a two-game winnings streak, and compared to the Habs, they have the superior defense -- goals allowed per game (2.08 vs. 2.13), shots allowed (25.9 vs. 31.8), and penalty kill (84.2 vs. 82.8). The most dangerous Sharks include defenseman Brent Burns and forward Joe Pavelski; they each have 21 points in 24 games for the team lead.
Recommended Pickup
Jared Coreau (G) Det -- Veteran backup Jimmy Howard has sustained a groin injury that will keep him out for at least another week. That's always a tricky ailment for a netminder to deal with given all the lower-body motions made throughout a game. Alternate goalie Petr Mrazek has been between the pipes through overtime in three of the past four, so Coreau's NHL debut could be right around the corner. This guy grabbed two wins to complement a shiny 1.61 GAA in three exhibition contests, and he's spent parts of four seasons developing with AHL Grand Rapids. He should already be owned in dynasty formats, and makes for a fine speculative play off the waiver wire in redraft leagues.
The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
