Key Skaters
Auston Matthews (TOR)
The Leafs return home after a short road trip to Detroit where they seemed to get right after a putrid showing against the Lightning on home ice. Matthews comes in third in the league in shots per 60 (14.21) at 5v5 and has six goals thus far. While John Tavares is less expensive than Matthews, I prefer paying up for AM34 against the Wild who are playing their second road game in as many days. Minnesota has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to centers to this point.
Brendan Gallagher (MTL)
If the Canadiens expect to keep up with the pace and offensive potency that the Lightning brings, they’ll have to move the puck and get pucks to the net in good scoring position. Gallagher is just the guy to look to for that as at 5v5 he leads the league in shots per 60 (15.52), is second in points per 60, and averages 4.31 high-danger scoring chances. Tampa has done a good job of limiting Gallagher ins recent matchups, but this is a spot where I think Gallagher shows up in a big way on home ice.
Sebastian Aho (CAR)
The top-line center for the Hurricanes has not gotten off to a great start as far as counting stats go. He has just one goal and in six games thus far with no assists. However, this is a great spot for Aho, who has averaged 12.09 shots per 60 and 6.05 high-danger scoring chances per 60 at 5v5 to capitalize on all of those opportunities against the Kings who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to centers this season.
Favorite Line Stacks
*Note: Lines are subject to change depending on morning skate lines. Revert to the chat and/or look for updates here for any impact they may have.
Toronto Maple Leafs
First Line: Johnsson – Matthews – Nylander
Matthews has led the charge here clearly as this unit has combined for five goals in shared ice time but Matthews alone has six goals thus far. Nylander has come out skating much better this season than last with two goals and three assists while Johnsson has picked up right where he left off last season. Matthews and Johnsson skate together on the top power-play unit with Johnsson being the net-front presence, which is crazy to think about with all of the on-ice scoring talent Toronto brings with them.
Preferred Two-Player Pairing: Matthews, Johnsson
Nashville Predators
Second Line: Forsberg – Duchene – Granlund
Speaking of good production as a line, the second line for the Predators leads all trio’s in goals as a unit thus far and I’ve been riding them and their value virtually every night. While the salaries of Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene are creeping up, Mikael Granlund remains a great value and a productive skater on this line. Vegas has been known to be stingy defensively, like the Preds but both of these teams have talented offenses and I could see this game turning into somewhat of a track meet.
Preferred Two-Player Pairing: Duchene, Forsberg
Calgary Flames
First Line: Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm
Monny, Johnny, and Elias are not off to a fast start as a unit this season as they were one of the best lines in hockey last season. With that being said, Carter Hart has been great in net thus far for the Flyers. Philly has played three games to this point, one against the Blackhawks in Prague, one against the Devils and one against the Canucks. I think it is fair to say that the Devils and Canucks can’t be compared to the offensive firepower that the Flames deploy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Monny and Johnny lead the charge in what could be a tough night for the Flyers in a tough road environment.
Preferred Two-Player Pairing: Monahan, Gaudreau
Sneaky Stack
Detroit Red Wings
First Line: Bertuzzi – Larkin – Mantha
The top trio for the Wings has started out red-hot as they have combined for seven goals as a unit, overall they have 10 total goals with Anthony Mantha leading with six tallies while Larkin has assisted on five goals thus far. They’re skating extremely well together, clearly, and all three share power-play correlation. Vancouver has been stingy defensively and with Bo Horvat likely on the ice following Larkin around as much as possible, this is a tough matchup to consider. However, Detroit has produced thus far against Dallas and Nashville, two very good defensive teams. No one will stack Detroit tonight.
Preferred Two-Player Pairing: Larkin, Mantha
Top Positional Plays
Center
John Tavares (TOR) – Again, I prefer Matthews but worth mentioning that JT is significant drop off in price.
Anze Kopitar (LA) – Has points in every game thus far with two goals and six assists in total.
William Karlsson (VGK) – Yet to find the back of the net this season despite leading all skaters in high-danger scoring chances per 60. He does, however, have six assists.
Elias Pettersson (VAN) – Slow start but had success against Detroit last season and is just $5,300
Ryan Johansen (NSH) – Just $4,700 skating on the top line and top power-play unit. RyJo has points in each of his games this season including two goals and two assists in his last two.
Wing
Mitch Marner (TOR) – Marner draws a great matchup as he looks to get going as the Wild have allowed the most fantasy points per game to right-wingers this season.
Brock Boeser (VAN) – Love his salary here even though Detroit is stingy against right-wingers.
Jonathan Marchessault (VGK) – Good upside with a high-volume shooter skating on the top line and top power-play unit.
Kyle Connor (WPG) – Connor is averaging 12.70 shots per 60 minutes at 5v5 this season, which is top ten in the league.
Phil Kessel (ARI) – Been extremely quiet thus far but at $4,800, he’s in a good spot against a team that gives up a ton of shots.
Nino Niederreiter (CAR) – Skates well with Aho at both even strength and on the top power-play unit.
Defense
Alex Edler (VAN) – Great floor with shots and blocked shots. He also had two goals and skates on the top power-play unit.
Roman Josi (NSH) – Has at least four shots on goal in each of his last three games with two goals and two assists over that span.
Victor Hedman (TB) – Montreal has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to d-men this season.
Dougie Hamilton (CAR) – The Kings have been decimated by d-men, almost as much as the Panthers and Dougie has goals in four straight games.
Oliver-Ekman Larsson (ARI) – Winnipeg has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to defensemen.
Value Defense
Jake Gardiner (CAR)
Ryan McDonagh (TB)
Travis Hamonic (CGY)
Jakob Chyhrun (ARI)
Dennis Cholowski (DET)
Top Goalies
Jimmy Howard (DET) – He’s seen 40 or more shots in two starts this season. I wouldn’t expect that many from Vancouver tonight, but mid to high 30’s wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Petr Mrazek (CAR) – Off to a good start with a 3-0 record but his save percentage has been a bit lacking. This is a good spot for Mrzaek against the offensively-challenged Kings.
Darcy Kuemper (ARI) – Winnipeg is a strong offensive team so I would expect Kuemper to see a lot of work. Conversely, the Coyotes are strong defensively leading me to believe that the quality of those shots/chances may be lacking.
David Rittich (CGY) – Looking to bounce back after a horrific performance his last time out against Vegas. This should be a better spot for him at home against the Flyers.
GOOD LUCK!!
