This article is part of our Beat the Cap series.
Monday's NHL schedule featured two mismatches, and in both games the best players failed to hit the score sheet. Capitals stars Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom were stymied by Buffalo, and the Kings lone goal was scored by Andy Andreoff.
It was Andreoff's first-career goal.
Similarly on Tuesday, the Bruins were held to one goal by the Sabres. Loui Eriksson scored for Boston, and while it upped his respectable season total to 18, it was hardly the offensive return expected from Boston.
However, the opposite was true when Edmonton beat down the Maple Leafs on Monday, and in the previous meeting between the Capitals and Sabres. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle each returned two-assist games, and Ovechkin and Backstrom each had two-point showings in the Capitals-Sabres meeting Saturday, March 7.
Players aren't always going to return the expected results, but the letdown is much more significant when you're spending up for a contest-high salary, as is the case with Ovechkin. Plus, with Ovechkin's ownership likely north of 50 percent in GPPs when he lands in a favorable matchup, he needs to produce at a high level to return cash.
In daily games, the weathered idiom fits, as you risk having all your eggs in one basket. Instead, sticking with the theme, pulling a rabbit out of the hat might be the best strategy. Stacking Tampa Bay in a less-favorable matchup worked Monday, for example.
As always, be flexible in your lineup assembly and don't rely on can't-miss matchups because there is no such thing.
Here are a few favorable matchups and trends to target with your upcoming contests.
Trending special teams
Over the past three weeks, the following team have raised or lowered their power-play percentages significantly (remember moving more than a percentage point is significant at this stage of the season):
Power plays
Oilers: Up to 18.4 percent from 15.3
Capitals: Up to 25.7 percent from 23.7
Hurricanes: Up to 19.4 percent from 17.8
Lightning: Up to 18.4 percent from 17.1
Flames: Up to 18.8 percent from 17.5
Predators: Down to 16.2 percent from 17.5
Wild: Down to 14.9 percent from 16.1
Canucks: Down to 17.2 percent from 18.5
Penalty Kills
Blues: Up to 82.7 percent from 80.8
Kings: Up to 81.4 percent from 79.2
Islanders: Up to 77.2 percent from 74.1
Hurricanes: Down to 85.0 percent from 87.8
Red Wings: Down to 81.0 percent from 83.3
Predators: Down to 80.5 percent from 82.1
Sharks: Down to 78.8 percent from 80.4
Blue Jackets: Down to 78.7 percent from 81.0
Upcoming favorable matchups
Thursday, March 19
Sharks at Maple Leafs
Blue Jackets at Canucks *
Saturday, March 21
Coyotes at Penguins
Blue Jackets at Flames
Flyers at Oilers
Maple Leafs at Senators
Sabres at Predators *
Sunday, March 22
Coyotes at Canucks *
* Second game in consecutive nights for weaker team
Struggling goalies
Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg: Over his last nine starts (10 appearances), Hutchinson has an .876 save percentage. While he has retuned a 5-2-2 record, he has allowed at least three goals in six of those appearances.
Frederik Andersen, Anaheim: After missing February with an upper-body injury, Andersen has returned with sub-par numbers. He has an .892 save percentage and allowed three goals per game over his six starts since returning.
Jonathan Bernier, Toronto: With at least three goals against in each of his last six starts and an .877 save percentage, Bernier is worth targeting. He has a single win during the stretch, too.
Jimmy Howard, Detroit: In his last five appearances, Howard has an .869 save percentage and won one of four starts. He'll receive a breather Thursday, but he has been up and down all season.
