Underdog Fantasy NHL Picks November 16th: Bryan Rust takes aim at the New Jersey Devils
Welcome into NHL player projections central for the season on Underdog Fantasy! Player projections are becoming one of the hottest growing things in hockey over the past few seasons and I have definitely taken notice as it adds yet another layer to a great game experience. Throughout this season you will find picks offered on the Underdog site that I find the most appealing as there are many to choose from so that's why I'm here to help you sift through the options.
For today's slate, we have 9 games on tap around the NHL and plenty of options for player props! I have highlighted a trio of plays that I will be following tonight that includes 3 players around the league for the St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins! Good luck to everyone on the plays tonight, let's win some cheddar!
NHL Underdog Fantasy Top Picks November 16
Jakub Vrana, St. Louis Blues - HIGHER than 2.0 Shots On Goal
Until the other shoe drops or skate I should say I am targeting Vrana with shots plays. He is now higher than 2 shots on goal in 7 of the last 10 games with a push and seems to have found himself right in the middle of the Blues overall hot streak. Fortune should continue tonight as well with Vrana heading to take on the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks allow 37.94 shots per game and that is the most in the NHL by a wide margin, sign me up big time on this play today.
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning - HIGHER than 4.0 Shots on Goal
If you have been following along with this article then you know that Kuch has been responsible for a lot of winning plays this season and tonight we go back to that well. The Lightning may be stuck in the mud but it hasn't bothered their all star who is averaging 4.7 shots per game over the past 10 contests. He has hit the line of 4 in 5 of the last 7 games too with 2 pushes. The opponent in Chicago presents a juicy matchup too as they allow 34.69 shots per game, the 3rd most in the NHL.
Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins - HIGHER than 3.0 Shots on Goal
It's a major mismatch tonight with the Penguins playing the Devils for a Metro division battle! The Devils have been gutted down the middle lately with injuries to Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup and that means Sidney Crosby and his top line should have a field day! Enter Bryan Rust who looks fully back this season and its showing with him hitting higher than 3+ shots in 10 of 14 games so far this season. The Devils defense is also shaky lately allowing over 30 shots per game so let's get it again Rusty!
Player News
Patrick Bailey went 2-for-4 with a three-run, inside-the-park homer to lead the Giants to a 4-3 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.
Bailey knocked a base hit in the fifth inning, then stepped in to bat with two runners on in the ninth with the Giants down by two runs. He took the first pitch from Jordan Romano high off the wall in right-center that caromed away from the outfielders as he raced home to walk it off with an inside-the-park homer. The hit would have been a traditional home run in all 29 other parks.
Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base against the Giants on Tuesday.
Schwarber was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth and stole second before he was caught stealing third. He then gave the Phillies the lead in the seventh with a two-run blast off Spencer Bivens and added a double in the ninth. The 32-year-old slugger is up to 28 homers and nine steals while slashing .254/.384/.549 with 64 runs scored and 65 RBI across 406 plate appearances.
Jordan Romano gave up three runs to blow the save against the Giants on Tuesday.
Romano recorded the final two outs in the eighth to preserve a two-run lead for the Phillies. He returned for the ninth and put two runners on with one out before Patrick Bailey launched a ball that caromed off the top of the wall in right-center as he raced home for an inside-the-park home run to walk it off. Romano hasn’t recorded a save since May 29, with Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering mostly working in a committee for saves.
Robbie Ray allowed one run with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Ray held the Phillies off the board through five frames before giving up a run on a walk, base hit, and a double in the sixth. He was relieved with two outs in the inning at 99 pitches. He scattered four hits and three walks while collecting five strikeouts. The 33-year-old left-hander will take a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 122/42 K/BB ratio into the All-Star break.
Taijuan Walker allowed one run with three strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Tuesday.
Walker rejoined the Phillies rotation on Tuesday, making his first start since May 30. He gave up a run in the second inning on a walk and two base hits, then tossed two more scoreless innings, ending his day with three strikeouts over four innings. The 32-year-old right-hander will take a 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 49/24 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings (nine starts) into the All-Star break.
Lawrence Butler went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three runs scored in Tuesday’s 10-1 win over the Braves.
Butler got the scoring started in exciting fashion, hitting an inside-the-park home run on the first pitch of the game off Didier Fuentes. He then drew a walk in the second inning and scored on a grand slam by Nick Kurtz. Butler then went yard the old fashioned way in the third, taking Jesse Chavez deep for a solo blast. The 24-year-old outfielder is up to 13 homers while slashing .256/.326/.448 with 54 runs scored, 38 RBI, and 14 steals across 384 plate appearances.