Another day, another dollar. Back at it again, with the NHL DFS line up advice write-up. Tonight’s slate brings us an almost identical set of games to Monday evening. The one change; no St. Louis versus Sharks battle. Although we cannot predict an identical outcome, there was a lot to learn from what transpired on Monday. Apparently, a game stack of Anaheim and L.A. was the way to go. Should we consider replicating this tonight?
Center
Tonight is interesting at the center position. The opportunity cost is extremely significant tonight, should you chose to fade one of McDavid or MacKinnon. They are the two most expensive centers by a wide margin, so fading either will make your lineup inherently unique. They will be the highest owned, but there does not appear to be any sort of pivot to a player with the same upside. I think you need to start your roster construction with at least one of these superstars and build from there.
Connor McDavid (EDM): $9,300 vs. OTT
– What is left to say?
– McDavid is the Art Ross and Hart trophy leading candidate
– He is averaging 1.66 points per game – 18.8 DraftKings points per game
– Shooting the puck more than ever, now with 106 shots on goal through the first 27 games
– The only reason to NOT roster McDavid, is for DFS game theory strategy in GPP’s
Nathan MacKinnon (COL): $8,700 vs. ARI
– Set to return after missing three games for Colorado
– Only pivot off Connor McDavid with similar upside
– MacKinnon is scoring at a 1.15 point per game pace, while also averaging 4.1 shots on goal per game
– Colorado ranks first in the NHL for CF%, whereas Arizona ranks 24th
– Arizona allows 31 shots on goal per game and MacKinnon shoots a lot – his opportunity upside is among the best on the slate
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (MTL): $3,400 @ VAN
– Salary relief option to afford one of the two studs listed above
– Montreal has shuffled the forward lines around – Kotkaniemi will now play with Tyler Toffoli (the Canuck killer) and Josh Anderson
– Although lacks goal-scoring upside, the third line center provides a fairly safe floor in fantasy production and will have opportunity to show up on the score sheet with his wingers
Wing
Leon Draisaitl (EDM): $8,100 vs. OTT
– Paired with Connor McDavid on the top forward line and PP1 make this the best line in hockey
– Missed an empty net last game, which would have given him an 18.5 DK score on Monday
– Ended a seven game scoring drought last game and fully expect Draisaitl to go on a tear
– Matchup against Ottawa does not get any better
– If you are starting with McDavid, the next player to roster is Draisaitl
Rickard Rakell (ANH): $4,900 vs. LA
– Has been in the winning, most optimal lineup, in each of the last two games he’s played
– He is this weeks JG Pageau
– Three goals and three assists in his last two games, Rakell has also added seven shots on goal
– Even before his last two games, he has scored at least 11 DraftKings points six games in a row and has seen a modest $800 price increase in that span
Evgenii Dadonov (OTT): $3,300 @ EDM
– Playing on the Senators second forward line and PP1
– Edmonton has a poor PK (ranked 21st at 76.5%) and average 9.7 PIM per game (ranked 26th in the NHL)
– Dadonov is a goal scorer, with eight on the year, compared to just two assists
– The Senators second forward line will now avoid; both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, along with Edmonton’s top defensive pairing
– Very inexpensive option tonight, albeit carries some risk
Defense
Tyson Barrie (EDM): $6,300 vs. OTT
– Great stacking option with McDavid and Draisaitl as Barrie will quarterback the PP1
– Ottawa is ranked worse than Edmonton on the PK – 74.7% (23rd) and 10.2 PIM per game (29th)
– Lack of top tier options at the position tonight (both Alex Pietrangelo and Cale Makar are out tonight)
– Now was 14 shots on goal in last two games…
Kevin Shattenkirk (ANH): $3,400 vs. LA
– Skates on the second defensive pairing and PP1, averaging 22 minutes of ice-time per game
– Similar to Rakell, is coming off two very productive outings – four points in two games
– Blocks shots, takes shots on goal, and will chip in on the stat sheet at a very reasonable price tag
Goalie
Carey Price (MTL): $7,800 @ VAN
– It is hard to feel overly confident about any option tonight
– Carey Price has bounced back in a big way over his past three games
– Although a rough start to the season, Price is still highly regarded as one of the best goalies in the NHL
– Now owns a .904 SV%, 2.69 GAA and 7-4-4 record
As always, reach me on twitter @j_maw for any additional questions or comments. Good luck tonight.
Fantasy Marksmen 