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.
Edmonton Oilers @ Detroit Red Wings
Totals: Highest 6.5 DK 6.5 FD 6.5
Riding a four game winning steak after getting handed their first loss of the season by the Flyers the Edmonton Oilers (9-1-0) take on the Detroit Red Wings (6-5-2) to begin a three game road trip. Each of the Oilers’ last three games have seen 7 or more goals and only one of their games this season has had less than 5 goals. On the year Edmonton’s games average 7.2 goals, 67 total shots on goal and 6.7 power plays.
Having only played in ten games on the year, the Oilers scoring chance numbers are a bit deceitful, ranking 27th in SCF (210), 17th in SCA (233), 19th in HDF (65) and 21st in HDA (63), but they’re averaging 21 SCF and 6.5 HDF per game, their offense is just fine.
The Red Wings host the Oilers coming off of back to back wins and games with 6 or more total goals in three straight. Detroit’s games this season are averaging 6.3 goals, 63.3 total shots on goal and 6.8 power plays. The Red Wings scoring chance numbers show a team that is vulnerable defensively but possess just enough offense to keep pace and drive this game to its goal scoring ceiling, checking in at 13th in SCF (237), 2nd in SCA (322), 11th in HDF (72), 2nd in HDA (107).
Both of these teams bring with them efficient shooting percentages, EDM (8.7% 4th), DET (7.5% 14th), which should allow both to capitalize on the bevy of scoring opportunities their opponents give up.
Los Angeles Kings @ Montreal Canadiens
Totals: Highest 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5
The Los Angeles Kings (6-5-1) continue their road trip through Canada tonight, taking on the Montreal Canadiens (3-10-0), the team they started their current five game winning streak against. The Kings’ last six games have featured 5 or more goals and the Kings’s themselves scored 5 goals in two of those six games. To date Los Angeles’ games average 5.5 goals, 64.5 total shots on goal and 6.6 power plays.
The Kings rank top ten in all four major scoring chance categories, 3rd in SCF (287), 6th in SCA (284), 8th in HDF (80) and 10th in HDA (80).
The Canadiens have one win in their last five games but four of their last five games have featured 6 or more goals. So far this year Montreal’s games average 5.4 goals, 59.4 total shots on goal and 7 power plays a game. The Canadiens, like their opponents tonight, rank top ten in the major scoring chance categories, 5th in SCF (276), 9th in SCA (252), 4th in HDF (90) and 6th in HDA (85). With their shooting percentage being as dreadful as it is (5.3% 29th) the Canadiens should see some positive regression soon.
Both of these teams generate plenty of offensive pressure and allow their opponents to as well, as long as the Canadiens can find the back of the net and push the Kings a bit this one has a shot to be one of the highest scoring games on the slate tonight.
Boston Bruins @ Ottawa Senators
Totals: Highest 6 DK 5.5 FD 6
The Ottawa Senators (3-7-1) have dropped three straight and host the Boston Bruins (5-4-0) tonight. Five of the Senators last six games have reached 6 or more goals, including a 12 goal show stopper against the Capitals. Senators’ games average 6.1 goals, 64 total shots on goal and 5.8 power plays on the year. Their below average shooting percentage (7.1% 18th) has held them back from taking advantage of their top ten scoring chance numbers, ranking 10th in SCF (252), 8th in SCA (269), 12th in HDF (71) and 6th in HDA (85).
The last time we saw the Bruins they were dropping a 5-2 game to the Maple Leafs, that was their third straight game to feature 5 or more goals and seven of their last eight games have reached at least 5 goals as well. Boston’s nine games this season are averaging 5.5 goals, 63.3 total shots on goal and 6.3 power plays. The Bruins are the only team to have played just nine games so their overall scoring chance rankings leave much to be desired, ranking 29th in SCF (205), 32nd in SCA (162), 25th in HDF (63) and 32 HDA (43) but they are averaging over 22 SCF a game (22.7) and 7 HDF a game. They’re league low shooting percentage (4.9% 32nd) also suggests they’re a team ready for an offensive break out.
Dave Leonard is our Lead Fantasy Writer at HW Hockey
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