NHL Building Blocks – December 28
Happy Saturday! More teams are back in action following the holiday break, so let’s see which ones are in good spots. Let’s dive in!
The premise of each article in this series is to feature starting spots (building blocks) for your lines. These are plays that are cash-viable as well as GPP-worthy and can be considered in all contest formats.
Starting Lineup – December 28
The Goalie: Jeremy Swayman
Rolling with Swayman (12-10-3 / 3.05 / .887) as the Blue Jackets are on the second half of a back-to-back and Boston actually allows the sixth fewest shots per game in the league. Neither he nor the Bruins have been the best this season, but this is one of the better matchups on the slate.
The Center: Brayden Point
Going heavy on Point tonight given that the Rangers allow a ton of shots. He’s scored 22 goals in just 28 games, and while his 33.6% shooting percentage is unsustainable, he still doesn’t need a ton of volume (which he should get tonight) to get things done.
The Wing: Kyle Connor
Folks might gravitate toward Kuch or Nylander as bigger names, but Connor has five goals and six helpers in his last five games, and Ottawa is running out either their third- or fourth-string goalie tonight. 21 goals (sixth in the league) and 122 shots (seventh) in a good spot is something I have interest in.
The Defenseman: Zach Werenski
Seven assists in his last two games; he is good in all facets (39 points in 36 games while leading the team with 130 shots) and plays almost 27 minutes a night as well. He’ll be needed against a gritty Boston squad.
The Value: Max Pacioretty
Still too cheap for skating on L1 with Tavares and Marner (and is also seeing PP2 time).
The Stack: TB (Point-Kucherov-Guentzel)
I like Tampa tonight as the Rangers have just been a dumpster fire this season, and they do allow the fourth most shots per game in the league; against an elite-upside offense like Tampa, that’s not a good recipe for success. Mix in Hagel and Cirelli as good secondary pieces.
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Nov 3, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) celebrates his first period goal with Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images