I am back filling in for Rob Geriak today on the NHL DFS breakdown, lets jump into this big 11 game slate despite the prize pools being too small for what they should be on both sites.
STACKS
- Winnipeg … Scheifele – Connor – Wheeler ($19k)
- Pittsburgh … Malkin – Kessel – Hagelin ($17.8k)
- Florida … Trocheck – Huberdeau – Hoffman ($17.2k)
The Penguins and the Leafs should be popular plays again but there’s a ton of other options on this big 11 game slate. I would consider a one off player from the Pens or Leafs in cash but look to the WPG/FLA plays a nice tournament and single entry pivots tonight.  I didn’t include Tampa 1 because of their price but certainly Stamkos and Kucherov are always in play vs a fast paced team like Tampa
SNEAKY / VALUE 2nd LINE STACKS
- Nashville … Turris – Smith – Fiala ($14.1k)
- Minnesota … Staal – Granlund – Zucker ($14.7k)
- Calgary … Backlund – Tkachuk – Frolik ($13.5k)
- Tampa … Point – Palat – Gourde ($16.4k)
The Nashville second line is very reliable and in a very good spot tonight against the Islanders. I would also not overlook the Calgary flames bouncing back on home ice and if you go Mike Smith look to correlate him with a Flames skater or combination tonight.
OTHER CENTER & WING COMBINATIONS
- Stamkos & Kucherov (TB)
- Matthews & Marleau (TOR)
- Mackinnon & Landeskog (COL)
- Monahan & Gaudreau (CGY)
- Getzlaf & Rakell (ANA)
- Duchene & Dzingel (OTT) … Sneaky value combo
DEFENSEMAN
- Viktor Hedman (TB)
- Kris Letang (PIT)
- P.K. Subban (NSH)
- Dustin Byfuglien (WPG)
- John Klingberg (DAL)
- Jeff Petry (MTL)
VALUE DEFENSEMAN
- Ryan Suter (MIN)
- Aaron Ekblad (FLA)
- TJ Brodie (CGY)
GOALIES
Matt Murray and Freddie Andersen both have heavy odds in their favor tonight and both have similar matchups. Their teams should dominate their opponents on home ice and thus we are very confident in getting a win here, plus they also have some holes in the defense in front of them which boosts the save upside of both plays. They’re priced similarly and thus you should be comfortable with either one. I wouldn’t worry about correlation with skaters on either guy but if you wanted to fade one I would lean fading Andersen and going Murray.
MY GOALIE
Mike Smith is a cheaper and not as reliable goalie as the other two but he is facing a home and home re-match with the Canucks that went the way of Vancouver on opening night. Tonight I expect Calgary to show they’re better than Vancouver and win this game with Smith at a reduced price on the other guys and just as much save and win upside here.
PREDICTIONS
LINE LOCK OF THE NIGHT:  Mark Scheifele – Blake Wheeler – Kyle Connor (WPG) … This is a pricey line lock but the Scheifele-Wheeler combination have given Dallas fits over the years. Locking them in to go 3 for 3 on the line locks this year. I want two goals for this to be considered a success, and three for it to push us into 5x territory
TOP ONE OFF WINGER:Â Â Mike Hoffman (FLA) … I expect this game to have lots of goals in it and Hoffman should welcome himself to these track meets quite well skating with Trocheck and Huberdeau tonight.
TOP VALUE WINGER:Â Â Â Jason Zucker (MIN) … Zucker is underpriced, he isn’t necessarily a super value play but at 4900 on DK against a Vegas team I think struggles this year (they’re my flop) is a good spot for him on the Wild’s top line.
TOP DEFENSEMAN:Â Â Â Viktor Hedman (TB) … I often locked in good defenseman against the Panthers last year and will look to push that trend again here tonight.
