It’s time to kick off 2023 and we have a four-game NHL Sunday slate to look forward to. Aside from reading the article, don’t forget to check out our NHL DFS Projection Model which is available every morning.
1/1 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 5 p.m. ET
*All odds and player pricing below have been obtained from DraftKings and are accurate as of the time of writing*
New York Rangers (+110) at Florida Panthers (-130) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total
San Jose Sharks (-115) at Chicago Blackhawks (-105) – 6 Projected Goal Total
Buffalo Sabres (+105) at Ottawa Senators (-125) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total
New York Islanders (+105) at Seattle Kraken (-125) – 6 Projected Goal Total
Slate Summary
I think a lot of the ownership will spread out between lines from the Rangers, Panthers, and Sharks. Instead, I think we target the lines in the Buffalo Sabres/Ottawa Senators. There seems to be some leverage in rolling a game stack of the latter game in tournaments. On a four-game slate ownership matters and it should be a bit lighter on that game, despite similar potential upside as the 6.5 total would indicate.
1/1 NHL Favorite Popular Line
Buffalo One “Tage Thompson ($8,900), Jeff Skinner ($7,100), Alex Tuch ($6,700)“
They were the listed play Thursday night and think it’s back to the well again here. The second line ended up shining instead, but think we’re due for a bit of a positive correction for the first line. Buffalo makes more sense if spending the salary. As a team, the Sabres are on fire, winners of six straight. That includes a 6-0 win over the Kings, road wins over the Avalanche, Golden Knights, and Bruins so not shabby at all.
1/1 NHL Favorite Contrarian Line
Ottawa Two “Drake Batherson ($6,000), Alex DeBrincat ($7,000), Shane Pinto ($4,300)”
Unfortunately, they did not go off Thursday night against the Red Wings. However, once again, they’re worth a look as a contrarian flyer in large tournaments. As far as peripheral stats go, they have only increased their standing since Thursday night’s article. They are the hosts and favorites in a 6.5 total game where I would lean toward it turning into a shootout.
10-Day Sample Size – SATF “accounts for all shot attempts by line including missed and blocked shots”
Defenseman and Goalie
Defenseman
Alexander Romanov – New York Islanders – $3,100 – He has assists in three of his last four games, so at $3,100 we’re getting a guy in a bit of a groove. Aside from the real-life points, he is at least a decent shot blocker as well.
Goalie
Ilya Sorokin – New York Islanders – $7,800 – Not trying to be a total homer but Sorokin is on a roll, winner of three straight starts. The Islanders suck their opponents into low total games and Sorokin’s 2.26 GAA and .926 save percentage aren’t just good, they are the stuff Vezina Trophies are made of.
1/1 NHL Best Bets
Rangers ML (+112), Sabres ML (+115), (Islanders ML (+105) – DraftKings – 1 Unit Apiece
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