This NHL DFS Breakdown will look into my favourite line-stacks and Goalies that I like for the night’s contests. Vegas odds, advanced statistics, and personal knowledge will all be used as the basis of my picks. For more NHL coverage follow me on twitter @_bschnarr and become a VIP member for Slack chat access.
Opening thoughts
The Hockey season is finally back! After a long off-season NHL action is back with an exciting four-game slate. This pre-season we saw the NHL cracking down on just about everything in terms of infractions. In fact, there were on average more than twice as many penalties called in preseason games than what we saw last year (5.98 penalties to 14.67). This should drop down over the next few weeks you can be sure that in these first games teams will be getting plenty of power-play opportunities. When stacking looking at not only lines but also power play lines will be especially crucial early on with all of the extra opportunity. With that in mind, let’s start breaking down the action.
See DFS Army Free Trial Offers
Favourite Line Stacks
Auston Matthews –DK: $7900 FD: $7300
William Nylander – DK: $5800 FD: $6300
After incredible rookie campaigns and fantastic preseasons, it is easy to make a case for this dynamic duo night in and night out. Vegas has projected this game as the highest scoring of the night with -130 over 5.5 goals. Both players are paired on Toronto’s first line and play together on the first powerplay unit. In two games against Winnipeg last season we saw scores of 6 – 5 both times so these teams have a history of lighting the lamp against one another. This game has potential to be high scoring and I like the chances of Toronto’s top line to produce.
If you are looking to pair with a defenseman Jake Gardiner – DK: $4400 FD: $4600 provides a solid ceiling of his own and will be paired with both Matthews and Nylander on the top power-play unit.
Nolan Patrick – DK: $4000 FD: $4600
Jordan Wael – DK: $3100 FD: $3300
If you’re looking for salary relief with upside look no further than Nolan Patrick and Jordan Wael. Both players will be situated on the Flyers second line and second power-play unit. Out of secondary options, these are my favourite, pairing with linemate Wayne Simmonds – DK: $ 5900 FD: $6500 is also an option.
Patrick Laine – DK: $7100 FD: $7300
Nikolaj Ehlers – DK: $5500 FD: $5100
Bryan Little – DK: $5100 FD: $5300
The Leafs/Jets game has the potential to be a real high scoring affair and I am liking stacking both sides of this game. The game is projected to be the highest scoring according to Vegas (-130 Over 5.5). With the likelihood of a high scoring game, I prefer stacking defenseman in this situation as opposed to a game expecting to be lower. Dustin Byfuglien – DK: $6000 FD: $5600 finds himself on the same power play unit and provides his an ability to rack up points on his own through shots (2nd among defenseman last season) and blocked shots (57th).
Sidney Crosby – DK: $8200 FD: $8600
Jake Guentzel – DK: $5700 FD: $6400
Kris Letang – DK: $6100 FD: $6900
You can never go wrong with the Penguins and Crosby. If going this route in GPP’s I lean Guentzel over Sheary to pair with Crosby because they see time together on the first power play unit well Sheary is slotted onto the second unit, which slightly minimizes his upside. Letang is always a great option when healthy and is the power play quarterback on the first unit alongside Crosby and Guentzel
Value Plays
Kailer Yamamoto – DK: $3000 FD: $3000
The 22nd overall pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft thoroughly impressed in the preseason notching seven points in five preseason games. Yamamoto earned his way into Edmonton’s top six. At minimum salary on FanDuel and near minimum on DraftKings Yamamoto allows you top six minutes at a fraction of the price.
Vladimir Sobotka – DK: $3700 FD: $3300
Sobotka is another player who stands out as a value based on his price. Sobotka is slotted to play on the first line with Paul Stastny and Vladimir Tarasenko. As of right now, it looks like Sobotka is also receiving power play time on the second unit. For his price, Sobotka is going to get the amount of ice time that allows for a good chance of returning value.
The Goalies
Matt Murray – DK: $8100 FD: $9100
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the biggest favourite of the night according to Vegas (-190) meaning Matt Murray is the most likely goalie to win. Murray also benefits from a fantasy perspective from the pace of play we are used to seeing from Pittsburgh. Last season the Penguins were 7th in Corsi for and 23rd in Corsi against. Basically, Pittsburgh got lots of shots and gave up lots as well. Murray is the clear chalk in cash games and although his price is high he is the safest option to build GPP line-ups around as well.
Brian Elliott – DK: $7000 FD: $7800
If you are planning to run with a Flyers line stack then the reasoning behind playing Elliott is solid. The goal in GPP’s is to win the entire thing and in a sport with as much volatility night in night out as hockey, anything can happen. If your Flyer’s players hit you should realistically see a win from Brian Elliott well the savings Elliott provides allow you the opportunity to pay up for some studs elsewhere in the lineup. Philadelphia is the second biggest underdog of the night (+140) giving them an expected win % of 41.67.
Goalies I am avoiding
Frederick Anderson – Connor Hellebuyck/ Steve Mason
For the same reasons that I am targeting players in this game, I will also be avoiding goalies. With the highest projected score according to Vegas and no clear favourite I feel that both goalies are an unnecessary risk and that there are better options to build your GPP and Cash lineups around.
Final Thoughts
With this being the opening night of action look for things to change quickly. In the next few weeks, teams will be adjusting lineups, switching even strength and powerplay lines around and finding out what works for them. Make sure to stay on top of this and adjust your lineups accordingly.
Looking at how teams played last season is a good indication of this year but things can change quickly. Teams that played high-tempo last year may not necessarily this year and vice versa. Watch the games, enjoy that the NHL is finally back and be ready to change your thoughts on teams as new information arises.
Want to try a free month of DFS Army VIP Membership? See How
Join the DFS Army
Do you want access to the most advanced Daily Fantasy Sports tools in the industry? How about the chance to talk player picks and lineups with our DFS Pros and like-minded players? DFS Army VIP Members get all of that PLUS access to our best in the industry projections and optimization tools. Go to DFS Army VIP membership and join the Army today! You won’t find a better deal or a better DFS team to join!