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.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Winnipeg Jets
Totals: Highest 6.5 DK 6 FD 6.5
The Chicago Blackhawks (1-8-2) take a quick road trip to take on the Winnipeg Jets (5-2-2) trying to pick up their second win of the season. Four of Chicago’s last six games have seen 6 or more goals and they’ve only had one game on the season have less than 5 goals. On the year Blackhawks’ games are averaging 6 goals, 62 total shots on goal and 7.2 power plays. Their scoring chance rankings show a team with a middling offense and a leaky defense coming in at 17th in SCF (199), 5th in SCA (239), 19th in HDF (57) and 9th in HDA (66), they bring with them a disappointing shooting percentage (5.7% 28th) too.
The Winnipeg Jets have won five of their last six games and all five of those wins were games that featured 5 or more goals, the Jets beat up on lesser opponents and put on an offensive show when they do it. So far Jets’ games average 5.4 goals, 57.4 total shots on goal and 5.7 power plays. Winnipeg ranks in the top fifteen in three of the four major scoring chance categories, 25th in SCF (179), 12th in SCA (207), 13th in HDF (62) and 13th in HDA (62). While their league leading shooting percentage (9.6% 1st) suggests the Jets are already performing at their ceiling, the consistency they’ve shown early this year and the plus matchup against the Blackhawks makes it unlikely a drop off will happen tonight.
New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings
Totals: Highest 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5
The New Jersey Devils (4-3-1) continue their tour through California with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings (4-5-1). The Devils lost three of their last four and three of those games also featured 6 or more goals. New Jersey’s games are averaging 5.6 goals, 61.1 total shots on goal and 6.8 power plays this season. Despite the Devils’ four wins this year their scoring chance rankings show a below average team playing above their head, 25th in SCF (179), 31st in SCA (160), 28th in HDF (52), 30th in HDA (46), their 24th ranked shooting percentage (6.3%) is underwhelming as well. Los Angeles is on a three game winning streak and their last four games have all had 5 or more goals.
To date Kings’ games average 5.5 goals, 65.9 total shots on goal and 6.5 power plays. Los Angeles has been displaying a very good ability to generate offense early this season, ranking 3rd in SCF (246), 8th in SCA (220), 6th in HDF (72) and 15th in HDA (61). In addition to their impressive SCF and HDF numbers the Kings’ also bring with them a below average shooting percentage (6.8% 18th) suggesting this offense hasn’t peaked yet.
Dave Leonard is our Lead Fantasy Writer at HW Hockey
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