Here in the environmental study we’re going to identify the games with the best fantasy scoring environments for everyday of the NHL season. To do this we’re going to look at teams’ scoring chances for (SCF), scoring chances against (SCA), high danger chances for (HDF), high danger chances against (HDA), power play opportunities (PPO) and power play opportunities against (PPOA). The reason for applying those stats to this particular exercise is because they are the best indicator of a team’s scoring opportunities and we want to identify games with teams that possess the best combination of quality and quantity of scoring opportunities.
Colorado Avalanche @ Vancouver Canucks
Totals: Highest 6 DK 6 FD 6
The Colorado Avalanche (6-5-1) start a quick two game road trip tonight against the disappointing Vancouver Canucks (5-9-2). Avalanche games have combined for 6 or more goals in each of their last four games and Colorado has scored at least 4 goals in five of their last six games. The Avalanche have fired 387 shots for on net, faced 380 shots against and their very efficient shooting percentage (8.1%) ranks 8th in the league.
On the season Colorado is averaging 32.25 shots for, 31.66 shots against, 3.83 PPO and 2.58 PPOA. The Avs rank 28th in SCF (271, 22.58), 32nd in SCA (229, 19.08/game), 29th in HDF (80, 6.66/game) and 26th in HDA (79, 6.58/game).
Vancouver has been underwhelming so far this season and host Colorado having lost four straight. Their games have featured 6 or more goals in five straight and the Canucks have allowed 5 or more goals in three straight. Vancouver’s bottom of the barrel shooting percentage (6.6%, 26th) is the main culprit for their lack of scoring since they’ve put up 520 shots for that’s 32.5 per game and their defense gives up just about as many shots as they’re offense takes, 509 shots against, 31.81 a game. Similar to their shot stats, Vancouver allows just about as many PPOA (53, 3.31/game) as they generate PPO (59, 3.68/game).
The Canucks scoring chance numbers show a team below average defensively, ranking 21st in SCF (301, 18.81/game), 13th in SCA (331, 20.68/game), 28th in HDF (84, 5.25/game) and 10th in HDA (104, 6.5/game). This game should have no problem hitting the total tonight and there should be more opportunities for the Avs playmakers than the Canucks.
Washington Capitals @ Los Angeles Kings
Totals: Highest: 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5
The Los Angeles Kings (8-5-2) return home after a successful 3-0-1 road trip and now get the Washington Capitals (9-2-5). There’s been 5 or more goals scored in eight of Los Angeles’ last nine games. With over five hundred shots for (514, 34.26/game) and over fifty PPO (55, 3.66/game) the Kings have given themselves plenty of opportunities to score but they just haven’t been able to finish often enough with a bottom third shooting percentage (7.1% 21st). Their defense has been just as soft as their offense has been relentless, 451 shots against (30.06/game) but they have not taken very many penalties, averaging just 2.6 PPOA.
Los Angeles is top ten in three out of four scoring chance categories, 9th in SCF (352, 23.46/game), 6th in SCA (362, 24.13/game), 17th in HDF (93, 6.2/game) and 8th in HDA (105, 7/game).
The Capitals are playing their third game in four nights and their fourth road game out of their last five. There’s been at least 5 goals in four of Washington’s last five games. The Caps league leading shooting percentage (9.9%, 1st) has helped them capitalize on the 499 (31.18/game) shots for they’ve put on net and the 51 (3.18/game) PPO they’ve had. On the flip side Washington has done an average job suppressing shots against (431, 26.93/game) and limiting their opponents time on the power play with 42 (2.62/game) PPOA.
The Capitals scoring chance numbers depict a team generating good offensive chances and allowing league average chances to their opponents, ranking 7th in SCF (355, 22.18/game), 17th in SCA (314, 19.62/game), 7th in HDF (113, 7.06/game) and 18th in HDA (94, 5.87/game). This game sets up nicely for both teams and has a great chance to be the highest scoring on tonight’s three game slate.
Dave Leonard is our Lead Fantasy Writer at HW Hockey
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