DFS NHL is a volatile sport centering around correlation, stacking and game theory. Learning how to win cash games and tournaments requires nailing those great upside plays/stacks, grabbing obvious value, and making the proper fades that sink everyone else’s ships. Let’s look through today’s slate and identify those winning picks in “Snipes, Grinders, and Hard Passes!”
All of my plays make sense for the entire DFS industry; however, if there is an egregious discrepancy in player salary between sites, I will mention it in my briefing.
Snipe = Good Play
Grinder = Value Plays (Grinders are Valuable)
Hard-Pass = I’m fading in tournaments
DFS NHL Slate Overview:
Pretty interesting slate with big prize pools, with several ways to attack the slate. One huge trick to the slate is that Auston Matthews does not need teammates evidently and can just get all of the fantasy points on his own. So, with that being said, even though it is optimal to stack 2 lines, if you were to play Matthews as a one off, and correlate the rest of your lineup, then that could be a lineup with an overall higher projection/ceiling. There is always a chance he could completely flop, but I am just throwing the idea out there to not be scared to just throw him in. I also love the Wild in their spot, because the Toronto blueline has been in shambles as of late.
Snipes and Hard Passes for Tonight
May 26, 2021; Uniondale, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates the goal by Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) (not pictured) against the New York Islanders during the first period in game six of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Correlated Snipe #1
Sidney Crosby – Jake Guentzel – Bryan Rust
As a Blue Jackets fan I hate these guys, because they have been super productive ever since Guentzel broke into the league. These veterans have been playing with each other for quite some time now and are also 3 of the 5 guys on the Penguins top powerplay unit. I really want to keep this simple in saying that they are very good, the Penguins are very good, and the New Jersey Devils are very not good. The Devils defense has been both bad and banged up this season, and the same can be said about their goaltending. It also doesn’t help the Devils that this game is in Pittsburgh which has always been a tough arena to play in.
Correlated Snipe #2
Joe Pavelski – Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz
This is a very volatile line that hasn’t produced a ton of late, but their numbers on the season are fantastic, I don’t mind their spot (in Nashville), and they have a very high ceiling. If you guys haven’t noticed, I love correlating lines that correlate both on the same even strength line; and, on the powerplay as well. These guys are no different. I love how explosive and sneaky these guys can be, especially on the road in Nashville when there are tons of options at the same price that people prefer. The Stars are also catching Juuse Saros (Nashville’s number 1 goalie) on a downswing I believe, and I’m sure they would love to hammer away at him.
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Hard Pass #1
The Islanders/Sharks game
This game just bores me to death, and other than the expensive options of Timo Meier/Brent Burns and Mat Barzal, I am unimpressed. I also don’t really fancy any of the correlations in this game. Just a super late and boring game with not much upside in my opinion. If you’re stacking a late game you might as well stack the Bruins and actually be able to go to bed.
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NHL Grinder Value Plays
Grinder #1
Maxim Mamin- Holy smokes what a name that is. I have to be honest, I have no idea who this is. I am only recommending him because my sources are saying that he is on L1 in Sunrise Florida with Barkov, and the Blue Jackets are still scrambling at the goalie position. Also, the Panthers have like 16 goals in 2 games this year against the Blue Jackets.
Grinder#2
Andrew Peeke- Weird one here, but Peeke has taken his top pairing role with Zach Werenski very seriously and he knows his role. If you need a cheap defenseman to round out your team, Peeke is viable. He has 20 blocked shots in his last 4 games, and although he doesn’t produce a ton of offensive upside; he can actually play, he just knows his role, which is to be a 2nd goalie and clog up the zone on the penalty kill.
Good luck, I hope you all come in 2nd. 😉
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