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.
Los Angeles Kings @ Winnipeg Jets
Totals: Highest 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5
The Los Angeles Kings (8-5-1) bring a seven game winning streak with them to take on the Winnipeg Jets (7-3-3), the last team that beat them. During their winning streak six of their seven games featured 5 or more goals and the Kings have only scored less than 3 goals once. LA ranks 4th in shots for (485) and 14th in shots against (428), averaging 34.6 shots for, 30.57 shots against and a combined total shots on goal of 65.21 per game.
The Kings are top three in power power opportunities, 3rd (53, 3.78/game) and their games are averaging a combined 6.5 power plays. LA’s scoring chance rankings indicate a strong fantasy environment, ranking 3rd in SCF (328, 23.42/game), 3rd in SCA (343, 24.5/game), 11th in HDF (88, 6.28/game) and 4th in HDA (101, 7.21/game) while their bottom third shooting percentage (7% 22nd) implies there’s positive regression coming.
The Jets are coming off a 4-1 victory over the Sharks and four of their last five games have seen 5 or more goals. Winnipeg is middle of the pack in the shot numbers, checking in at 17th in shots for (401) and 16th in shots against (405). Their games average 30.84 shots for, 31.15 shots against, a combined 62 total shots on goal and 5.61 power plays.
The Jets scoring chance rankings range from good to great, ranking 8th in SCF (300, 23.07/game), 11th in SCA (295, 22.61/game), 2nd in HDF (109, 8.38/game) and 14th in HDA (89, 6.84/game) and they’ve been shooting very efficiently (8.7% 2nd). Both of these teams are generating plenty of offense and their below average defenses should provide extra opportunities tonight, making this game a potential shootout.
Montreal Canadiens @ Detroit Red Wings
Totals: Highest 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5
After seeing their three game winning streak come to an end against the Capitals the Detroit Red Wings (7-6-2) host the Montreal Canadiens (4-10-1) to close out their four game homestand. The Red Wings have seen 6 or more goals in four of their last five games and Detroit has scored at least 4 goals in three of their last four.
Detroit has some very good shot numbers ranking 12th in shots for (435) and 1st in shots against (511) that shakes out to 29 shots for, 34.06 shots against and a combined 64.06 total shots on goal per game. Red Wings’ games average a combined 6.73 power plays per game, 3.33 power play opportunities (50, 5th) and 3.4 power play opportunities against (51, 4th). Detroit’s scoring chance rankings are very enticing too, ranking 11th in SCF (292, 19.46/game). 1st in SCA (372, 24.8/game), 7th in HDF (97, 6.46/game) and 2nd in HDA (117, 7.8/game).
The Canadiens hit the road after dropping three of their last five at home, their games have had at least 5 goals in each of their last four games. Montreal is top ten in both shots for (8th, 450) and shots against (7th, 446) averaging 30 shots for, 29.73 shots against and a combined 59.73 total shots on goal per game. In addition to their nice shot numbers Canadiens’ games are averaging 6.93 power plays a game, 3.46 power play opportunities (52, 4th) and 3.46 power play opportunities against (52, 2nd).
Montreal has been a team to target for fantasy purposes all year and the scoring chance numbers reflect that, checking in at 4th in SCF (327, 21.8/game), 12th in SCA (290, 19.33/game), 2nd in HDF (109, 7.26/game) and 7th in HDA (95, 6.33/game). Both of these teams are due for some positive shooting efficiency regression as they’re both in the bottom third of the league in shooting percentage MTL (5.4%, 29th), DET (7.1% 21st) making this a game a dark horse candidate to be the highest scoring on the slate.
Dave Leonard is our Lead Fantasy Writer at HW Hockey
Follow Dave on Twitter.
For more Flyers coverage, follow and subscribe to High & Wide Hockey on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!
Discover more from HIGH AND WIDE HOCKEY
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
