Welcome to the DFS Army NHL Game Break!! You have to start your research somewhere, and often times going game by game thinking about matchups and key players is the first step in our process. I’m your buddy @Choppodong and you can find me on both Twitter and YouTube with supplemental commentary and teaching. But, you’ll really find me in our VIP coaching forums inside coaching and detailing plays and strategic hockey maneuvers across all our main sports. If you are looking for it, we cover it! Follow me, watch me, interact with me, I welcome it all.
NHL DFS Matchup Rankings L10 Games
Last 10 games sample size. Home teams in white, away in gray. GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against. MU Score is a combined metric showing how one matchup tonight compares to the others on paper. Green is good, red is bad. We are looking for the best matchups of teams scoring goals facing teams allowing goals. Not exactly rocket science, so don’t overthink it. PPMU is another telling metric, but I save that one for VIPs. Just ask me in our coaching forums…
My plan is to describe the games some and drop quality players in these lists. You will get my player pool (VIPs might get bonus plays in our coaching forums later). My cash players are those I would happily use in head-to-head formats, 5050 contests, small leagues, and even some larger leagues. They will anchor my lineups in all formats and contain a lot of value plays and/or punts. The core gets you to the dance. The slightly funky plays off your core push you into the gpp money. Your core is everything! Even gpp-only players need a core of solid production to build from.
Florida Panthers @ Boston Bruins
Odds: BOS -225, 6 leaning over
Florida has been scoring of late, but Boston is having none of that. The Bruins defense really puts a lid on the Panthers potential tonight….rendering them very much gpp only on a large slate. Goalie – not as a -225 underdog.
5 star plays – none…capped
4 star plays – Barkov (C), Huburdeau (W), Hoffman (W),
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – FLA PP1…deep sleeper
Boston gives us a mediocre MU Score of 64 tonight. Not bad, but not the best on the slate. This would normally serve to fly under the radar, but BOS is a big brand name recreationals recognize and gravitate towards. They have the power to go off in any matchup, but there are better spots tonight. Goalie – For sure….in cash, too, riding the back of this defense and offensive support.
5 star plays – Marchand (W), DeBrusk (W),
4 star plays – Bergeron (C), Krejci (C), Krug (D), Johansson (W), McAvoy (D)
Cash gamers – Marchand, DeBrusk
GPP Sleeper – ownership will be spread on this slate…..everything is sort of “sneaky” in that regard. BOS1 or PP1
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Odds: PIT -125, 6.5 leaning hard on the over
Columbus heads into Steel City and enters a game Vegas sees leaning pretty hard on the over at 6.5….take note. While PIT isn’t an elite defense, though, they aren’t playing poorly. CBJ isn’t giving me a lot of indication they can explode tonight, and I’ll temper expectations. One-offs only for me. Goalie – I suppose, but I don’t like it as some core play.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Atkinson (W), Werenski (D), Anderson (W)
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – CBJ PP1
Pittsburgh is going to be pretty popular tonight, like most nights. Top ranked power play over the last 10 games doesn’t hurt either. The decent MU Score of 64 allows me to look their way with some confidence, and I’ll likely stack them up in a couple spots tonight. Goalie – Maybe, maybe not. I’m not usually excited being PIT can lapse defensively at times.
5 star plays – Crosby (C), Malkin (C), Guentzel (W)
4 star plays – McCann (C), Schultz (D)
Cash gamers – Crosby
GPP Sleeper – nothing terribly low-owned…..but that won’t hamper you from winning a gpp.
New York Islanders @ Ottawa Senators
Odds: NYI -225, 6 leaning over
I’m not a fan of stacking Islanders, but they’ve actually been ok in certain spots. Tonight, we get another good one potentially facing a team that is just reeling. The MU Score of 71 is tied for 2nd on the slate and bears attention. Nelson, Pulock and Bailey seem to have the most potential, but there are outside considerations here, too. Goalie – ouch they’ve been off lately…as has been the defense. I don’t think I trust NYI goalies right now.
5 star plays – Nelson (C), Pulock (D), Bailey (W)
4 star plays – Cizikas (C)
Cash gamers – Pulock
GPP Sleeper – Bailey/Pulock mini-stack
Ottawa has scored only 2.4 goals per game recently. That’s not a lot of offense, and there isn’t much reason to play many of them outside of some “NY is slumping” narrative in big gpps. Goalie – no
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Tkachuk (W)
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – none in my opinion
New York Rangers @ Detroit Red Wings
Odds: DET -115, 5.5 leaning over
Toss up game and the Rangers find themselves in an amazing spot. I’m not sure what to do with this one, either. If I trust MU Score, I see another 71 and 2nd highest on the slate. I have to roll with that, right? I know I’ll like the lifeblood of this offense, Zibanejad…..but who else? Goalie – I don’t see the need here on a slate this size. We’ll find better.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Zibanejad (C), Namestikov (W), Deangelo (D), Shattenkirk (D)
Cash gamers – Zibanejad
GPP Sleeper – Fast/Strome/Namestikov/Deangelo…….really hang your balls out there. Very boom or bust here.
Detroit has some one-offs in play, but they just aren’t scoring as a team right now. Many better options on the slate tonight to focus on units. Goalie – no
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Mantha (W)
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – none
Shhhh…..I have a secret. One of our coaches is playing with a potential new tool. You are going to want access to this “cash game lock” tool. The score on the far right indicates the confidence level in these players. Green is really good. Yellow is fine. And, white is just ok. Watch the green players tonight, as they are all in my list, too, and should be in great spots to at least achieve solid floors. And, keep an eye out for the continual evolution of our NHL product at DFS Army. Our goal is to teach you, through content, tools, and coaching, to become more competitive. Part of how we achieve that goal is also through reducing your research time if you are a hectic player with a normal “day job.” Use code CHOP when you join to unlock access to all our tools the minute they come out.
Minnesota Wild @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Odds: TBL -225, 6 leaning over
Minnesota doesn’t score often, but some of them are cheap. The real issue here is the MU Score of 42….yuck. TB just doesn’t allow a lot of offense. And, that has me off this side of the game. Goalie – nope
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – none
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – none
Tampa isn’t, however, the MU Score leader on this slate because MIN plays defense. There is a great spot to use Lightning skaters, though. Their PP1 is really showing well….and has been my focus for weeks. I don’t have a lot of use for anyone else on the team. They are expensive, and you need value to make it work, but that’s DFS NHL in a nutshell. Load up if you want to focus on Tampa tonight. Goalie – incredibly expensive and likely only for gpps as a result. I can find 20 points for much cheaper tonight….and actually build a better team of skaters.
5 star plays – Kucherov (W), Stamkos (C), Point (C)
4 star plays – Hedman (D), Gourde (W)
Cash gamers – Kucherov, Point
GPP Sleeper – nothing sneaky
Buffalo Sabres @ Chicago Blackhawks
Odds: CHI -135, 7 leaning under
Buffalo goes first in our game of the night. 71 MU Score for Buffalo and a premium power play matchup tonight where Buffalo is solid and Chicago is 2nd worst in the league on the kill.
5 star plays – Eichel (C)
4 star plays – Skinner (W), Reinhart (W), Dahlin (D), Ristolainen (D)
Cash gamers – Pominville (W), Eichel
GPP Sleeper – BUF PP1 or even the super sneaky BUF2 forwards
The flip side of the coin has the highest MU Score on the night at 76 for Chicago. When one side has 76 and another has 71, you can hopefully expect fireworks. It’s an indicator both sides are scoring and neither side plays defense. However, in this case, BUF isn’t scoring and CHI is giving goals like crazy. That translates to a shootout if Chicago wants to win……neither team should be taking their feet off the gas. We have some small pieces in this offense, but I’ve also heavily focused on the PP1 of Toews, Kane, Strome, DeBrincat, Gustafsson and been just fine for 45+ days. Goalie – not in a shootout
5 star plays – Kane (W), DeBrincat (W), Toews (C), Strome (C), Gustafsson (D)
4 star plays – Keith (D), Seabrook (D), Saad (W)
Cash gamers – Keith, Gustafsson, Toews, Strome, DeBrincat, and it’s hard not to include Kane (but he hasn’t been great lately…..but is in an incredible matchup)
GPP Sleeper – no sleepers here
Colorado Avalanche @ Dallas Stars
Odds: DAL -130, 5.5 leaning over
I’m not a fan of attacking Dallas teams being they are pretty defensive. But, our Colorado skaters have been reunited up top with MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Landeskog. I can use them with some Tyson Barrie or Carl Soderberg in any matchup. On tonight’s slate, it’s not the most important matchup, but it’s not out of the realm of consideration. I’ll have shares. Goalie – Varlamov has been strong….I’ll consider him
5 star plays – Landeskog (W), MacKinnon (C)
4 star plays – Rantanen (W), Soderberg (C), Compher (W), Barrie (D)
Cash gamers – Compher, Rantanen, Soderberg
GPP Sleeper – COL1
Colorado has been playing well defensively lately. I won’t be using Dallas except on smaller slates tonight. Goalie – I can’t get on board outside of gpps.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Seguin (C), Radulov (W)
Cash gamers – none
GPP Sleeper – DAL1
Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers
Odds: EDM -145, 5.5 leaning over
Vancouver played well last night. They play a faster up and down style (according to CanadianJay, a local Canuck fan) and just lack some tools. I’ll say they do with an offense only scoring 1.7 goals in their last 1o games. Everything says fade this game, including the MU Score of only 44. But, something about me wants to keep on some of the cheaper guys as one-offs like Leivo or Edler until pricing comes up some. Edler is a high floor play almost always, and is far too cheap right now across the industry. 11 shots and blocks combined last night brought well over traditional value before he scored his goal. Goalie – Lower scoring games are safer for goalies, but I’m still not sure this is the spot for me to take a stand.
5 star plays – Edler (D),
4 star plays – Biega (D), Leivo (W)
Cash gamers – Edler
GPP Sleeper – no
Edmonton is neither scoring nor giving up goals. But, they do have a very safe cash game play in Leon Draisaitl right now. I don’t trust a lot else for the pricing, but will say we need to always realize Connor McDavid can break any slate like few can. Goalie – no thanks.
5 star plays – Draisaitl (W)
4 star plays – McDavid (C), Nurse (D), Kassian (W)
Cash gamers – Kassian, Draisaitl
GPP Sleeper – I suppose if you want to run the “VAN is on a b2b” narrative
What a weekend for NBA!! Our coaches have done a lot of explaining, and our members have done a lot of winning. The edge clearly resides in coaching. Content and tools are nice, but how can you exploit your opponents when you don’t have the experts teaching you how to apply the content and tools? That’s where DFS Army steps in. Become a VIP and see what all the fuss is about…..#RaiseYourEdge!!
Calgary Flames @ Arizona Coyotes
Odds: CGY -135, 6 leaning under
Boy, the Flames have been a bit of a letdown lately. I’m waiting for them to heat back up, and am certain they will at some point. Until then, I’m taking smaller shares of them and generally treading lightly. ARI doesn’t offer much in terms of leaky defense, so I can keep my exposure to Calgary to gpps and small slates. Goalie – I won’t be on Mike Smith
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Giordano (D), Hamonic (D), Lindholm (W), Tkachuk (W)
Cash gamers – Tkachuk is too cheap, as is Hamonic
GPP Sleeper – very deep gpps
Arizona plays better at home. They aren’t terrible and Calgary can be leaky….especially when the backup goalie takes the pipes. We have a horrible MU Score of 49, so I’m not going bonkers here. But, I will have shares of the deeper value players at wicked discounts. Goalie – I like Keumper most nights, but I do give the Flames respect for firepower. I’ll have some shares, but keep them to gpps also.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Galchenyuk (W), Stepan (C)
Cash gamers – Stepan, Archibald (W), Ekman-Larson (D)
GPP Sleeper – include a Panik or Hinostroza as gpp one-offs, not quite cash
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings
Odds: STL -165 and rising, 5.5 leaning hard on the under
Well, my Blues did it…..they took the DFS world by surprise…..both in scoring a few and allowing a few. The latter wasn’t supposed to happen. But, the return of Brayden Schenn predictably rejuvinated the offense, more importantly the power play going 3/5 on the night. We get an “ok” matchup tonight, but STL is on a road b2b and we might still keep them to gpps. Goalie – Jake Allen carries huge risk for being a bonehead, but he also carries huge upside in shutout potential.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – PP1 players like O’Reilly (C), Tarasenko (W), Schenn (W), Thomas (W), Pietroangelo (D), Parayko (D)
Cash gamers – probably not
GPP Sleeper – PP1 and any cheap defenseman including Parayko or Dunn
The Kings are in an interesting spot with a risky goalie in Jake Allen and catching the Blues on a road back to back. I know STL is favored, but I think the Kings have a shot here. The question is who…. Goalie – gpps, yes. cash games, no.
5 star plays – none
4 star plays – Martinez (D), Doughty (D)
Cash gamers – Martinez
GPP Sleeper – Kopitar (W) – take it from a Blues fan, like Jamie Benn in Dallas, Anze Kopitar is a Blues-killer……it’s the ultimate narrative play and should be treated as such.
Montreal Canadiens @ San Jose Sharks
Odds: SJS -180, 6.5 leaning under
Silent shootout potential tonight in our hammer game. The Canadiens have been ok lately, and I see about 4 offenses out of 22 I like……these being numbers 5 and 6 tonight as we cap our slate. I see a lot of potential here if you like sneaking up on leaderboards late. Goalie – no
5 star plays – Gallagher (W)
4 star plays – Domi (C), Tatar (W), Weber (D), Shaw (W)
Cash gamers – Tatar, Gallagher
GPP Sleeper – MTL2
San Jose can score. We all know that. MTL looks a little defensive, but I’m not sure that’s going to matter tonight. I like all sorts of mixes of Sharks tonight. Goalie – probably not.
5 star plays – Burns (D), Pavelski (W), Hertl (C)
4 star plays – Couture (C), Meier (W), Labanc (W)
Cash gamers – Hertl
GPP Sleeper – all sorts of various SJ skater stacks….I’d include Burns
Here is a one game view of our NHL Research Station matchup page. My daily videos typically walk you through this page and point out how I quickly decipher the best plays on the slate. When you unlock access to this page, you get team stats with large and small sample sizes to pick up trends, all the basis statistics, pricing, scoring lines, power play lines, scoring production including shots and blocks, and you get it all in one easy to read view. But, you only get it as a VIP. 99% of the stats I reference are directly from this single page. Your research has never been easier!!
Favorite NHL DFS Stacks for Tonight…
What is NHL without stacking?!
NYI2
NYR2
TBL PP1
BUF2
BUF PP1
CHI PP1
STL PP1
GPP Sleeper stack = MTL2/SJS1 game stack! You incorporate the #Hammer game as a stack here and hope you can catch all the previous games from out of nowhere. The numbers show the 3rd highest combined MU Score of the night (62+64=126) and indicates a slightly under the radar matchup that can lead to lower owned shootouts. On large slates, you want to focus on logical spots, not stupid spots, but spots that others don’t see. Let the others focus on Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Tampa. You just hide in this last game and drop a sneak attack of NBA proportions on your NHL opponents they will never see coming…
Hopefully, those pointers get you started in your research. I will be bouncing in and out of our NHL coaching room all day, with the rest of our coaches, to guide anyone with questions. I plan to drop a slate video showing our research process most days, and with a little time, our VIPs request shorter, strategy videos to help them shore up fundamentals, too. All free videos can be found on my YouTube channel, but all VIP videos need the key to unlock the vault.
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I hope to see you inside soon. Have a blessed day.