Allan Fabrykant 
After another wild week of hockey, we are back tonight with a modest two-game slate. One game is a bit of a blowout on paper, while the other is a much closer matchup. Tonight’s 12/1 NHL slate begins at 7:00 pm ET. Don’t forget to lock your lines and check the discord for any updates! Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
12/1 NHL Stack Report
1. New Jersey Devils 1 (Toffoli-Hughes-Mercer)
— This game is the definition of a mismatch. New Jersey is one of the most offensively talented teams in the league, while San Jose is near the bottom of the league in nearly every stat category out there. The Sharks have only managed to win five games this year and are coming up against a team that is heating up (key players are back from injury and on a three-game winning streak). It should come as no surprise that the Devils are heavily favored in this matchup, coming in at -490 with a 4.5 implied goal total. This line has a decent price with Mercer slotted in there, and their matchup against the Sharks top line is a joke. A key example of this line’s recent success is alternate captain Jack Hughes, who has recorded six points and 18 shots over his last two games. These kinds of stats are unreal, and leading up to a game against the league’s worst team, the San Jose Sharks, I can only imagine how many points he will be racking up tonight. All three top liners see power-play time, with Hughes and Toffoli on the first unit and Mercer on the second power-play unit. To me, especially in cash games, this line is a must-play tonight.
Ideal Defensive Partner(s): Luke Hughes (Hamilton is out injured, Hughes is a lock on defence)
2. Ottawa Senators 1 (Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux)
— My second favourite line of the night is still a juggernaut. The Sens top line is really their main three stars. Despite being a one-note team, the Sens do have some excellent star power on their top line. Both Stutzle and Giroux are point-per-game players, while Tkachuk is not far behind with 15 points in 17 games. If the Sens were facing a stronger team, I would be more concerned about putting a lot of faith in them, but against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who sit 2 points ahead of them (the Sens have 7 games in hand over them), I am not worried. Especially with top defenseman Chabot back for the Sens, I like their chances to rack up some points in this one. All three first liners play on the Sens power-play, with Tkachuk and Stutzle on the top unit and Giroux on the second unit. Ottawa has an implied goal total of 3.6 against the Blue Jackets, and the Blue Jackets have a decently high implied goal total as well (3.1). I can see a lot of goals coming in this one, and when Ottawa scores, their top line will definitely appear on the scoresheet.
Ideal Defensive Partner(s): Thomas Chabot (Honorable Mention(s): Jake Sanderson)
Honorable Mention(s): New Jersey Devils 2 (Bratt-Hischier-Palat), Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (Chinakov-Johnson-Voronkov)
12/1 NHL Goalie Tracker
Best (Goalies to Roster)
- Vitek Vanacek
- Joonas Korpisalo
Honorable Mention(s): N/A
Worst (Goalies to Target)
1. Kaapo Kahkonen
Honorable Mention(s): N/A
12/1 NHL Wild Card Targets
Kent Johnson
– On a small slate like this, you have to be a little creative to find interesting plays that will make your line stand out over others, especially in tournaments. Kent Johnson is an excellent option. He is listed at a price on both FanDuel and DraftKings and has seen a resurgence in form following a stint in the minors. The former 5th overall pick was sent down to the minors in early November and has been called back up after scoring 15 points (5 G, 10 A) with the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate. At minimum price, he doesn’t have to do much to hit value, and with him playing in his first game up from the minors, he will have a MASSIVE chip on his shoulder.
Honorable Mention(s): Dawson Mercer, Alexander Holtz
Core Four: (ALWAYS BE STACKIN’)
Center – Jack Hughes
Winger – Brady Tkachuk
Defenseman – Luke Hughes
Goalie – Vitek Vanacek
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