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
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Marcus Stroman (knee) will “be in the mix” for activation off the IL later this week.
Stroman is scheduled to throw approximately 70 pitches on Tuesday in a Triple-A start and then could be activated for a weekend start if all goes well. The Yankees have an open spot in the rotation with Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) landing on the IL. Allan Winans will start on Monday, and it seems like he or Stroman will be the choices for a weekend spot in the rotation.
Jets owner Woody Johnson has agreed to purchase a 43 percent stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace.
Johnson will buy his stake from American businessman Jon Textor. According to reports, the deal is worth $254 million pending approval from the Premier League and Women’s Super League. The move will make Johnson partners with two other NFL owners as Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and minority owner David Blitzer own the majority stake in the team along with Steve Parish. The 78-year-old Johnson, who served as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021, previously attempted to buy fellow Premier League club Chelsea in 2022, but was unsuccessful.
Daulton Varsho (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment this week.
Over the weekend, Varsho ran the bases without any pain, which was a big step for him. He’s been on the IL since June 1st and might need a week of rehab games before returning to Toronto at the beginning of July.
Brooks Baldwin went 2-for-5 with a solo home run for Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.
Baldwin is now up to 10 home runs in the minors with a .375 average and a 1.225 OPS. He deserves another shot to be a regular in the White Sox lineup.
Esteury Ruiz went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, and a steal for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Ruiz is now up to six home runs and 35 steals while slashing .281/.386/.425 in 60 games. He remains below average as a defender, which could impact his future playing time, but if a spot opens up in the Dodgers’ outfield, Ruiz would be right back on fantasy radars.
Tobias Myers threw five shutout innings for Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.
He also allowed four hits while striking out six and walking none. He now has a 3.11 ERA in 46 1/3 innings with a 40/13 K/BB ratio. This is his second straight shutout outing, and whatever the Brewers were hoping Myers would fix in the minors seems to have worked. There is not currently a spot in the Brewers’ rotation, but they could move Jose Quintana and/or Freddy Peralta at the trade deadline, which would give him another chance.