NHL DFS

Oooooh baby. The Hot Shot is back for the first Thursday of the NHL regular season and there are ten games on this monster slate. We return with tons of new tools at our disposal including the NHL Projection Model which should be available daily by late morning/early afternoon post-morning skate.

Looking at all of the games on the slate and odds below, the Penguins at -365 and Golden Knights at -350 are far and away the largest favorites on the slate. They’re followed by Toronto at -190 in the only other 6.5 projected total game “all others six or less”. Of course, all three teams are in a great spot, but they should also be the most popular. Albeit, I wouldn’t worry about ownership as much as usual given the slate size, as it’s all relative.

10/13 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Ottawa Senators (-120) at Buffalo Sabres (+100) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Arizona Coyotes (+300) at Pittsburgh Penguins (-365) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Washington Capitals (+160) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-190) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

New Jersey Devils (-135) at Philadelphia Flyers (+115) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Florida Panthers (-130) at New York Islanders (+110) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Dallas Stars (+110) at Nashville Predators (-130) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

New York Rangers (+120) at Minnesota Wild (-140) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Colorado Avalanche (+100) at Calgary Flames (-120) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Chicago Blackhawks (+290) at Vegas Golden Knights (-350) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Seattle Kraken (+155) at Los Angeles Kings (-180) – 6 Projected Goal Total

10/13 NHL Favorite Popular Line

Las Vegas One ” Jack Eichel ($6,300), Phil Kessel ($3,900), Reilly Smith ($4,200)“

Vegas definitely spreads the talent across their top three lines quite a bit. That said, I like the top line for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, we get an underpriced star in Jack Eichel who might finally be healthy. He looked superb while launching seven shots and scoring a goal Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Reilly Smith is the second most important piece with his dual role with Eichel on the Golden Knight’s top power-play unit. His $4,200 DraftKings price is another bargain all things considered. Finally, there is another cheap add-on in Kessel. This line gives you some solid upside as well as the salary flexibility to spend up elsewhere. As far as ownership, I think Eichel will individually be chalky, around 20-30% owned, but not the whole line.

10/13 NHL Favorite Contrarian Line

Ottawa One “Tim Stutzle ($5,100), Brady Tkachuk ($6,800), Drake Batherson ($6,000)”

I’m a huge fan of this Ottawa team and think it all starts for them in Buffalo. While the second line is temping, the top line features a trio of top power play skaters. Ownership wise they should come in 5% or less but have they similar upside to many more popular and expensive lines. Beginning of the season and all, we do not have tons of recent data but this young line should garner some impressive data and increased name recognition as the season progresses.

10/13 NHL Additional Lines to Consider

Pittsburgh One – Sidney Crosby “$7,000”, Jake Guentzel “$7,800”, Rikard Rakell “$5,300”

Pittsburgh Two – Evgeni Malkin “$6,400”, Bryan Rust “$6,500”, Jason Zucker “$3,600”

Colorado One – Nathan MacKinnon “$8,000”, Mikko Rantanen “$7,400”, Artturi Lehkonen “$5,000”

Top Individual Plays

Centers – Auston Matthews – Toronto “high-end”, Jack Eichel – Las Vegas “mid-range”, Anze Kopitar – Los Angeles “low-end”

Wings – Jack Guentzel – Pittsburgh “high-end”, Artturi Lehkonen – Colorado “mid-range”, Reilly Smith – Las Vegas “low-end”

Defenders – Roman Josi – Nashville “high-end”, Shea Theodore – Las Vegas “mid-range”, Alexander Edler – Los Angeles “low-end”

Goalies – Tristan Jarry – Pittsburgh “high-end”, Juuse Saros – Nashville “mid-range”, Anton Forsberg – Ottawa “low-end”

10/13 NHL Best Bet

Ottawa Senators Moneyline (-120) – DraftKings – 1 Unit – As mentioned earlier, I love this Ottawa team and while for DFS I’ll lean towards the first line, a bet gives us all of them. For just over even money for being on the road, this is a very fair price on a talented young Senators squad looking to begin their NHL ascent.

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Oooooooh baby, it’s game two of the Stanley Cup Final, right here a mile away from where I write in lovely Denver, Colorado. The Avs took Game One in overtime, but the defending champions will be looking to bounce back and even the series. With that said, let’s get down to business!

6/18 NHL Top Plays

Top Play – Andrei Vasilevskiy – Tampa Bay

Vasilevskiy is coming off one of his worst games of the playoffs allowing four goals on 42 shots. However, he is still one of the world’s best goaltenders and should continue facing tons of shot volume here in game two. As a result, he has in my opinion the highest floor and one of the highest ceilings on showdown slates in this series.

Rankings DraftKings “All prices non Captain”

1. Andrei Vasilevskiy – Tampa Bay – $10,000
2. Ondrej Palat – Tampa Bay – $6,600
3. Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado – $10,800
4. Cale Makar – Colorado – $9,400
5. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay – $8,800
6. Devon Toews – Colorado – $7,400
7. Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay – $8,600
8. Gabriel Landeskog – Colorado – $8,400
9. Brayden Point – Tampa Bay – $7,000
10. Nikitak Kucherov – Tampa Bay – $9,200

6/18 NHL Best Bet

Colorado Avalanche Moneyline – (-145) – 1 Unit – DraftKings – Colorado had to take it overtime to win Game One. That said, all night they seemed like the faster more physical team. Tampa Bay just hasn’t been starting off any series very well and they seem to get their legs under them at home before progressing as each series continues. That might be the case here once again as the Avalanche take Game Two in Denver.

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It’s time for the second round of the NHL Playoffs! Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar should be chalk but we’re fading. That and more on the 5/17 NHL DFS slate below.

5/17 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Lightning (+140) at Florida Panthers (-160) – 7 Projected Goal Total

St. Louis Blues (+180) at Colorado Avalanche (-225) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

5/17 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Colorado Two ” Gabriel Landeskog ($5,800), Nazem Kadri ($5,900), Arturi Lehkonen ($3,000)“

With only two games, I think we have to be creative and really consider salary. While Colorado One will be more popular, I think this line is the better play. The ownership difference gives us some edge plus we save a lot of salary. You could always add a piece from Colorado One as a one-off if you want. However, I think with pricing and the Avs status as -225 money line favorites, their second line makes the most sense. Both Kadri and Landeskog give us bargain access to Colorado’s top power-play unit.

Secondary Line – Tampa Bay One “Steven Stamkos ($6,300), Nikita Kucherov ($6,900), Anthony Cirelli ($2,700)”

Going back to the well here as we save a bit from Florida One, who gets to face Vasilevskiy in the opposing net. With Brayden Point absent, Tampa will really need its two remaining attacking stars “Hedman is a star too albeit a defenseman” to step it up. I think you can leave Cirelli off unless you really need further savings, as he has done next to nothing.

Top Defender

Devon Toews – Colorado – $5,000 – Toews is on fire right now with double-digit DraftKings points in four of his last five games and kissing twenty points or over in his last three. However, his price remains unchanged. He strikes me as a no-brainer play tonight on this slate, easily the best defenseman point per dollar.

Top Goalie

Darcy Kuemper- Colorado – $8,400 – The chalk but Colorado is the only big favorite on a two-game slate so it is to be expected. That said, he is returning from a decent absence so he could be rusty. Either way, be sure to correlate your goalie with the skaters you’re playing since this is a two-game slate and all. You probably don’t want to stack St. Louis and play Kuemper, etc.

5/17 NHL Best Bet

Tampa Bay Lightning – (+140) – 1 Unit – DraftKings – I don’t trust him but Sergei Bobrovsky has played better in net lately and Vasilevskiy is Vasilevskiy. I think these teams start off with a chess match in South Florida. That said, that sort of game lends itself to the style of the underdog Lightning, who are still the champions until beaten.

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Oh boy! It’s time for some game sevens. I hope you’re ready cause I am. More on the 5/14 NHL slate below.

5/14 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 4:30 p.m. ET

Boston Bruins (+115) at Carolina Hurricanes (-135) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Tampa Bay Lightning (+105) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-125) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

L.A. Kings (+165) at Edmonton Oilers (-205) – 6 Projected Goal Total

5/14 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Tampa Bay One ” Ondrej Palat ($3,200), Steven Stamkos ($6,800), Nikita Kucherov ($7,300)“

Let’s roll with Tampa Bay’s top line. Their reputation in game seven and pivotal payoff moments speaks for itself. These are also the Maple Leafs they’re facing. Perhaps the most notorious team in the NHL for falling short in the playoffs, particularly in big moments. I love their general affordability absent any players in the high 8ks, as you see in most other top lines.

Secondary Line – Edmonton One “Connor McDavid ($8,800), Evander Kane ($6,700), Kailer Yamamoto ($2,900)”

Evander Kane put up a salvage job for us with the empty netter last time out. However, we have much higher expectations. No offense to our sizable L.A. King fanbase, but Edmonton should win this series. We spoke of the Maple Leafs and teams that disappoint in the playoffs. Well, on the individual level, Connor McDavid has to do something one day right? On a side note, Kailer Yamamoto is now $500 cheaper, at $2,900 only $400 over the minimum salary.

Top Defender

Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay – $7,000 – I hate paying up at defensemen. But this might the slate to do it and Hedman is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. He correlates on even ice and the power-play with Tampa Bay One listed above.

Top Goalie

Mike Smith – Edmonton – $8,400 – The expectation is that the Oilers get the job done here. They will need Smith to step up in net. His recent form suggests that he will be up to the task. Otherwise, it will be the same old story about how goaltending held the team back.

5/14 NHL Best Bet

Tampa Bay Lightning (+105) – 1 Unit – DraftKings – As mentioned above, it’s the clutchest team in the NHL, the defending champions against a team to date known at best for choking and not winning anything in a lifetime.

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As the slate features all-game sixes, we may have some eliminations on tap. Let’s dig into the 5/12 NHL slate below.

5/12 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Carolina Hurricanes (+110) at Boston Bruins (-130) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Toronto Maple Leafs (+115) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-135) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Minnesota Wild (-110) at St. Louis Blues (-110) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Edmonton Oilers (-140) at L.A. Kings (+120) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

5/12 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Tampa Bay One ” Ondrej Palat ($3,200), Steven Stamkos ($6,700), Nikita Kucherov ($7,400)“

This might be a little bit of a gut call. That said no particular line is jumping out statistically tonight. Therefore, let’s side with Tampa Bay keeping the series alive. Given their experience, it would be surprising to see them go out like chumps. It is nice having both Stamkos and Kucherov on the same line. If you wanted to go all out, you could add Victor Hedman but I think that would be prohibitive with salary. As is, the pricing on the main trio is very friendly all things considered.

Secondary Line – Edmonton One “Connor McDavid ($8,700), Evander Kane ($6,900), Kailer Yamamoto ($3,400)”

They disappointed last time out, but let’s try again with this super talented unit. The peripheral stats suggest that they are due for positive regression. I think that this could be that monster spot where they help take down a tournament. The addition of Kailer Yamamoto back to this line as the third man in is a huge boost!

Top Defender

Tyson Barrie – Edmonton – $4,300 – I had written him up previously due to his role on the top power-play unit. However, now he should see another bump in ice time and role with Darnell Nurse suspended for one game. Evan Bouchard should also be a beneficiary of Nurse’s absence. In the alternate, if punting all the way down, Hampus Lindholm is returning for Boston for only $2,900. He does not have a lot of upside but a floor for the punt price.

Top Goalie

Jonathan Quick – Los Angeles – $7,400 – For the price, with the Kings a +120 dog so fairly close, Quick offers us the most value of all of the goaltenders. If you’re ballsy and fading Tampa, Jack Campbell is certainly also in play.

5/12 NHL Best Bet

Edmonton Oilers/Los Angeles Kings – Under 6.5 (-115) – 1 Unit – Bet MGM – Let’s give this another shot.

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With all of tonight’s games featured series tied 2-2, things should be tight. More on the 5/10 NHL slate below.

5/10 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Boston Bruins (+125) at Carolina Hurricanes (-145) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

Tampa Bay Lightning (+100) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-120) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

St. Louis Blues (+125) at Minnesota Wild (-145) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Los Angeles Kings (+190) at Edmonton Oilers (-225) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

5/10 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Minnesota One ” Kirill Kaprizov ($8,000), Ryan Hartman ($5,000), Mats Zuccarello ($4,900)“

This line features two skaters on the Wild top power-play unit; their young star in Kirill Kaprizov, in addition to Mats Zuccarello. Minnesota definitely has a lot of balance between its lines, even displaying a very strong third line. However, we have to single one out. I think that their ownership will come in a bit lighter than most other lines featured in the three 6.5 total games. On a small four-game slate that could be the sort of pivot that helps us take down a tournament.

Secondary Line – Edmonton One “Connor McDavid ($8,800), Evander Kane ($6,700), Jesse Puljujarvi ($3,500)”

As compared to Minnesota One above, this line should get plenty of ownership. However, their strong peripheral stats remain, and the Oilers host the Kings as -225 money line favorites in one of the other 6.5 total games. That makes for a perfect combination. Consider that the other top options involve the Maple Leafs up against Vasilevksiy and a defensively stingy Tampa Bay Lightning team and a 5.5 total probable defensive battle.

Top Defender

Tyson Barrie – Edmonton – $4,100 – Defense is a bit rough on this slate. Barrie is fairly cheap at just over $4,100 on DraftKings and has some upside. He makes for a great correlation play with Edmonton One listed above with his role as quarterback of the power-play unit.

Top Goalie

Mike Smith – Edmonton – $8,500 – I never thought I’d be writing up Mike Smith in this spot. Yet here we are as he has turned his game up in the Spring quite a few notches. Given that Edmonton is a -225 favorite and Smith will have the home crowd at his back, it’s as good a spot as you can get in the playoffs At least, per the odds, there should be less uncertainty here than with some of the other games which are projected much closer.

5/10 NHL Best Bet

Edmonton Oilers/Los Angeles Kings – Under 6.5 (-115) – 1 Unit – Bet MGM – Given Mike Smith’s form mentioned above, as well as the Kings’ defensive style, and I think we take the Under at the 6.5. I wouldn’t take it at 6 or below.

Make sure to hop in our Expert Discord Chat for FREE! Rich will be there answering questions all day and all night! Follow Rich on Twitter @JFan303 and be sure to be on the lookout for future articles at https://windailysports.com/daily-fantasy-hockey/

Welcome back as we get ready for a trio of Game Three’s for our Saturday 5/7 NHL playoff slate. We have every game on the slate except for the early game, Florida vs. Washington.

5/7 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 4:30 p.m. ET

New York Rangers (-120) at Pittsburgh Penguins (+100) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Colorado Avalanche (-245) at Nashville Predators (+195) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Calgary Flames (-155) at Dallas Stars (+135) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

5/7 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Colorado One ” Nathan MacKinnon ($9,200), Mikko Rantanen ($7,300), Valeri Nichuskin ($4,900)“

At this point, they are the de facto line for this batch of playoff matchups. Jusse Saros looks like he still won’t return. That said Connor Ingram was solid in his last start for Nashville, despite an Avalanche barrage. Either way, this line is a force of nature. So far Cale Makar has been on fire to open to the playoffs. You can always try to add him on and leave someone else off, etc, if you want to try to be creative. As has been the case you can also look to pivot to the Colorado second line.

Secondary Line – New York Rangers “Ryan Strome ($3,900), Artemi Panarin ($5,300), Andrew Copp ($4,800)”

I think the Rangers will find a way to win this serious. So far Pittsburgh backup goaltender Louis Dominigue, since being forced into play, has not had one of those trademark non-competitive starts where he completely gets blown up. Perhaps tonight is that night. Andrew Copp has been nothing less than a godsend since his acquisition for the Rangers. He is the only skater on this line not featured on the top power-play line. Panarin’s price in particular seems way too cheap but that can be said for this entire line.

Top Defender

Devon Toews – Colorado – $4,900 – He keeps putting up big shots so no backing away from Devon Toews now. He does correlate with the first line and gets some correlation across other lines with his role on the second power-play unit. The bottom line is you want as much Colorado exposure as possible.

Top Goalie

Igor Shesterkin – New York Rangers – $8,500 – He is just on another level right now. In cash games, you definitely play him, he is the chalk. I think on that basis, of course, you could always argue for the fade. However, he is the best raw goalie play on the slate.

5/7 NHL Best Bet

Colorado Avalanche 60 Min ML (-140) – 1 Unit – DraftKings – It was a spirited effort last time out by Connor Ingram. Nevertheless, I think we try to buy low on the Avalanche here.

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It’s the fourth night of the NHL playoffs and we have a bunch of series Game Two’s on tap. Below we have all the odds, some featured lines, players by position, and a featured bet for the 5/5 NHL slate.

5/5 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh Penguins (+120) at New York Rangers (-145) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

Washington Capitals (+195) at Florida Panthers (-235) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Nashville Predators (+295) at Colorado Avalanche (-390) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Dallas Stars (+190) at Calgary Flames (-240) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

5/5 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Florida Two ” Jonathan Huberdeau ($7,100), Sam Bennett ($4,400), Claude Giroux ($4,600)“

The Panthers came out and laid a bit of a dud against Washington in Game One. However, this line scored both Panther goals “Bennett and Giroux”. With price considered, I think we take a shot on Florida Two again. It’s just a decision whether to roll the full line or leave out Huberdeau in order to save salary and create a more unique lineup.

Secondary Line – Colorado One “Nathan MacKinnon ($8,900), Mikko Rantanen ($7,000), Valeri Nichuskin ($4,700)”

Nashville starting goalie Jusse Saros remains out for Game Two. The Avs absolutely lit up the Predators the first time out and they will be the chalk of the night. I think you can get creative and play just one or two with a defenseman and go that route. You can also go all in with a Colorado super stack or pivot to the second line. Either way, in cash you want all the Avalanche exposure you can get and in tournaments even with high ownership, we’ve seen the upside.

Top Defender

Devon Toews – Colorado – $4,900 – Last time out I featured Noah Hanifin who is still a fine pick but he did get a price bump to $4,700. For $200 more I think we roll with Toews for some additional Colorado exposure. While Cale Makar has the much higher floor/ceiling, we’d be paying $3,000 more after the big game. As they in the stock world, buy the rumor, sell the news.

Top Goalie

Igor Shesterkin – New York Rangers – $8,500 – With another pivot from a Calgary player, now we’re switching in net as well from Jakob Markstrom. Between Pittsburgh’s shot volume and Shesterkin’s abilities, it gives us some exposure to this game. He is coming off a 79…..yes 79 save game Tuesday night. He has had a night to rest in between and we can only hope he looks as sharp tonight.

5/5 NHL Best Bet

Florida Panthers 60 Min ML (-145) – 1 Unit – DraftKings – Let’s try this one more time. It’s really a must win for Florida tonight at home as they look to avoid going down 2-0.

Make sure to hop in our Expert Discord Chat for FREE! Rich will be there answering questions all day and all night! Follow Rich on Twitter @JFan303 and be sure to be on the lookout for future articles at https://windailysports.com/daily-fantasy-hockey/