I’m taking more of a cash game/single entry approach to my articles from here on out so there could be a better understanding of how to construct lineups with the information provided. Check out the podcast on today’s slate as we give a lot of thoughts on tonight’s slate as well as some lineup construction thoughts.
*Note: All pricing references are based on DraftKings pricing.
With today being Trade Deadline day, the landscape of some teams in action tonight could be dramatically different by the time the puck drops. Trades can result in a lot of things changing throughout the day so it’ll be important to find some clarity on things as the day goes along.
Key Three Skaters
My top three skaters on the slate
Nathan MacKinnon (COL)
MacKinnon and the Avs hit a rough stretch from January 21st through February 12th losing eight straight games with MacKinnon uncharacteristically recording just four points over that stretch. Most recently they’ve won four straight games recording 20 goals over that span with Mac recording three goals and two assists. The Panthers come in red hot after a very long homestand and with Colorado gaining some momentum heading home, I expect them to control this game starting with MacKinnon.
Auston Matthews (TOR)
Matthews comes in with five goals in his last five games and has seven goals in his last eight games against Buffalo. The Sabres have allowed 13 goals and 27 assists to centers over their last 13 games. While Carter Hutton has been solid in net over his last two games, traveling to Toronto to face the Leafs who are playing their third game on their current homestand and are 6-3-1 over their last 10 is a tough test. Look for a big effort from AM34 tonight.
Filip Forsberg (NSH)
Forsberg had a hat trick the last time he faced Edmonton earlier this season in a home matchup. The left-winger’s price is simply too low in this matchup, a matchup in which the Preds have a 9-1 record and average 3.2 goals per game over these two teams’ last 10 meetings. While Edmonton has been good against left-wingers of late, Forsberg skates on one of the better lines in the league, with RyJo and Arvidsson back with him on the top line, and Nashville continues to be stout at home with a 20-12-1 record.
Top Positional Plays
Outside of the Key Three highlighted above
Center
Aleksander Barkov (FLA) – There aren’t many players skating better than Barkov right now with multiple points in each of his last four games with six goals and five assists over that span.
Ryan Johansen (NSH) – I’m expecting a bounce-back game from RyJo and the rest of the Preds after being steamrolled at home in their last game.
Jack Eichel (BUF) – Had two goals earlier this season against Toronto and comes in with points in 10 of his last 11 games.
Elias Pettersson (VAN) – Pettersson has been quiet of late, but this is a good spot for him against Anaheim who have allowed 16 goals and 21 assists to centers in their last 11 games.
Nico Hischier (NJ) – The Canadiens have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks and Hischier has scored four goals in his last three games against Montreal.
Wing
Mikko Rantanen (COL) – Reunited with MacKinnon back on the top line, has points in each of his last three games.
Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA) – Four goals and three assists in his last three games. Another good matchup here with Colorado.
Brendan Gallagher (MTL) – Continues to generate plenty of shots and high-danger scoring chances ranking first in both categories per 60 at 5 v 5.
Mike Hoffman (FLA) – 15 goals in 28 road games this season. Seeing time on the top power-play unit and the type of one-off play that can pay off if you want a piece of a game that could see a lot of goals.
Viktor Arvidsson (NSH) – Like Johansen, I expect Arvy to bounce back against Edmonton who he’s scored seven goals in his last eight games against.
Mitch Marner (TOR) – Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to right-wingers over the last month.
Brock Boeser (VAN) – Good value against Anaheim especially paired up with Pettersson.
Tyler Johnson (TB) – On the line with high-priced Point and Kucherov, Johnson brings a lot of value against the Kings who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to left-wingers over the last four weeks.
Andreas Johnsson (TOR) – Goals in back t0 back games and seeing time on Toronto’s top power-play unit.
Defense
Shea Weber (MTL) – The Devils have allowed the second-most fantasy points to defensemen over the last four weeks.
Tyson Barrie (COL) – Heavily involved on offense and Florida is always a team to target with defensemen.
Ryan Ellis (NSH) – Under 5k, skating on the top pairing and top power-play unit.
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF) – Goals in back to back games and a nice price against Toronto who has shown weakness to defensemen.
Value ($4,500 or less)
Erik Johnson (COL)
Troy Stecher (VAN)
Cam Fowler (ANA)
Jake Gardiner (TOR)
Center – Wing Combo’s
My favorite Center-Wing combos, listed in order to consider starting your cash/single entry contests with.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews – Andreas Johnsson
Nashville Predators: Ryan Johansen – Filip Forsberg
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov – Jonathan Huberdeau
Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson – Brock Boeser
Top Goalies
Carey Price (MTL)
Frederik Andersen (TOR)
Pekka Rinne (NSH)
Jacob Markstrom (VAN)
GOOD LUCK!!
