We’re back!! After a long off-season of watching the greatest love story since Romeo and Juliet – obviously, I’m talking about Alex Ovechkin’s love affair with the Stanley Cup – it’s time to play some hockey. For those of you that are new to the DFS Army, my name is Rob Flynn. I’m an NHL DFS writer and coach inside the DFS Army. We have the best articles, coaching and tools in the industry. But let me tell you, the real money is made in the Slack chat that only our VIP’s have access to. That’s where we talk through a member’s lineup construction, thought process or just answer any DFS questions they may have. Every coach is very accessible and willing to share our own processes to help every member grow as a player.
I wrote an article describing some of my process and some tips to win. Check it out here. We also have a brand new Research station that is only available to VIP’s but here is the tutorial, to give you guys a taste of what’s coming this season. If you sign up to become a member, use promo code PUCK to give yourself 10% off for the life of your membership.
NHL DFS is very similar to DFS MLB. The volatility can be maddening, the floor of every player is ZERO and you need stacking in all contests. NHL DFS cash games you need at least two players that correlate on either the scoring line or power play, to hopefully grab the goal and an assist. In GPP’s you need to stack up the entire line and hope that line goes off for multiple goals.
Without any further ado let’s dig into today’s 12-game slate.
I am primarily a cash/hybrid player but even that requires some stacking. So, I list my favorite and then I take the pieces from those stacks that fit my lineup construction. Unlike last season, I will put my stacks, D-men and goalies in order of my preference.
FORWARDS
Tor PP1 – Marner, Tavares, Matthews: I always take the easy way out with this team and tell you to stack the PP. It gives you access to two lines (3 if you throw Kadri in there) and some of the best players in the world. Toronto can shoot and score with the best in the league. If you play Matthews I really like throwing Kapanen in for value. He doesn’t get any PP time but he has been a new man playing on that top line. I think this is more of a cash play than GPP but anything goes with TOR, they can score seven every night.
TB 1 – Palat, Kucherov and Stamkos: Another stud line in another high total game (both are 6.5). VAN gives up a ton of shots and TB will be relentless. If you want some added value, throw in Brayden Point to get a second line and PP1 correlation.
Bos 1 – Marchand, Pastrnak, Bergeron – This is one of the best lines in the NHL but it comes with some risk. EDM is just outside the top- 10 in CA/60 so far this season. Boston’s big advantage is on the PP. So pick a couple of these guys and stack them with Grz or Donato and have fun
Honorable Mention: SJ (I didn’t pick a line because I can’t get a read on which one will succeed tonight – I love Evander Kane as a one off or in a mini stack though), PIT 1, VGK 1, CBJ 1, COL 1, Game stack WPG/NSH (2 good offenses against 2 good defenses – It can blow up for sure)
$50k wasn’t even our biggest win of the MLB season
DEFENSE
Lately I have been paying down for defense and it’s been working out. I’m off the Burns/Karlsson combo til they wake up. If you have any questions about price defensemen reach out to me and I will help you.
Jokiharju – I absolutely love this kid. I want to play him every night he’s on the slate until his price catches up. I hope the “Q-tag” scares people tonight – he was sick yesterday, the coaches don’t seem worried about him missing this game. There was also a blurb about him now getting a crack at running the point on the top PP unit. Lock him and move on.
Vlasic – The best Sharks defensemen so far this season. He is cheap and has an unreal floor night in and night out. Let everyone take Burns, I’ll save money and use his partner.
Petry – Cash staple and MTL has been playing better than expected. He is like Vlasic for me: price never goes up, floor is always there, but he does generally garner a little more ownership.
Honorable Mentions: Martinez, Matheson, Gustafsson (if Joki can’t play), Werenski, Nurse, Spurgeon, Dumba
GOALIES
Vasilevskiy – Just play him in cash. Vancouver can’t score, he is a massive -252 favorite. VAN is tied for the lowest ITT on the slate. Eat the chalk in cash and get funky in GPP if you desire. I wouldn’t even worry too much about chalk. It’s a 12- game slate, let your opponents make the mistakes.
Dubnyk – He’s only a -138 favorite going against a rejuvenated BlackHawks team but he is our highest project goalie in the model. He has an enormous ceiling bc CHI is #6 so far in Corsi For/60 (I know it’s early, but CHI shoots the puck – A LOT) and MIN is #26 in Corsi Against/60. Dubnyk is going to have to work hard to win this game, but I love him GPP.
DeSmith – I’m writing him but as a warning. Do not play him in cash!! He is a massive favorite, high team ITT, low opponent ITT, Vegas is a mess right now – sounds good right? The only problem is that he sucks. The only reason he’s in the NHL right now is because Matt Murray has a concussion. Go for it in GPP – it may work out but you should be scared.
Honorable Mentions: Bobrovsky, Reimer ( both have potentially high ceilings and low floors – I’d lean Bob), Rinne, Hutton
GOAL PREDICTION: Evander Kane
Remember guys, always confirm the starters after morning skate. I generally have this article out in the morning. If you guys have any questions reach out to me on Twitter at @rflynndfs or in Slack. Join the DFS Army today by using Promo Code PUCK to save 10% off your membership for life.
