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 and Grinders!”
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)
DFS NHL Slate Overview:
Opening night of the NHL season is here! Check out all of our industry-leading content on dfsarmy.com, and if interested feel free to DM me personally and I’ll get your journey started. Remember, our mission is a process, we grow and learn every day; figure out what our competitors are doing, identify the correct plays, and calculate the correct ways to attack each slate. Every slate is different and can be attacked in different ways. We also have great tools to work with like the domination station (optimizer), the research station, chalk boards, as well as tons of coaches readily available in our discord.
Now – onto hockey!
2 games opening night between 4 popular and star-driven teams, and the DFS sites have not yet paid their salary/pricing experts for the upcoming NHL season yet. We can pretty much take anyone we want, without having to spend down on some risky 3rd line winger or bottom D-pairing guy. With this knowledge, and there only being 2 games, I do see some potential to chopping tournaments up top; but, my job is simply to be here for the people and pick the best plays. For example, Igor Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy (best goalie), and is the cheapest goalie on the slate, in a home matchup at Madison Square Garden. So, with that being said, let’s ride this season out, and grind out some profit.
Correlated Snipe #1
Adrian Kempe – Anze Kopitar – Kevin Fiala
I absolutely love the addition of Kevin Fiala to the LA Kings, he is a great offensive player that had over a point per game last season, including 33 goals, and was a cap-casualty of the Minnesota Wild; who had to trade him and recoup assets, because they could no longer afford his services. Fiala should slot in on that top line with Kopitar and Kempe, who already had chemistry and should continue to build that chemistry this season. People forget, but Adrian Kempe potted 37 goals last season. The way the Kings are built, they are going to rely on these big boys for a good chunk of their scoring, and then have everyone else chip in periodically and play hard defense. Their first game is at home against the Golden Knights, who still have a good top 4 defensemen, but have the most question marks in net. On a short slate I will take a super talented line that correlates fully on the powerplay, against the worst goalie on the slate at home.
Apr 4, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Adrian Kempe (9) hits Calgary Flames defenseman Christopher Tanev (8) during the second period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Correlated Snipe #2
Vincent Trocheck – Artemi Panarin – Adam Fox
Kind of an unusual correlation here to start the year, but like I said, we are going to have to get different to win on small slates with bad pricing. My belief is that They want to continue to have Panarin and Zibanejad split up to maximize their creative scoring chances throughout an entire game. Sure, they will reunite on the powerplay, but as of right now, I believe that Trocheck also slots in on the first powerplay unit as well. So here, I am taking a 2nd line and first powerplay unit correlation stack, with Adam Fox (a superstar defenseman). Trocheck signed a massive extension in the offseason with the Rangers, and I expect him to produce. Trocheck put up 27 goals last season, and in his career has always played 2nd line center; an important role, but he has never played with someone even remotely close to as talented as Artemi Panarin. Panarin creates space, wins puck battles, and finds the open guy, and Trocheck is a smart player that is good at finding openings. I like the fit of these 2 together, and it gets us off the chalk of Zibanejad and Kreider who broke out last season in a way that will be hard to replicate.
If you want to freshen up your 2021-22 cash and tourney strategy skills, read “How to Win DFS NHL in 2022.”
Save research time with our easy-to-read NHL Cheatsheets! Core plays, tourney leverage, correlated stacks, and extreme goalie plays set up your night differently than your competition.
NHL Grinder Value Plays
Grinder #1
Cal Foote – If spending down somewhere to build an absolutely top-heavy lineup, Cal Foote should offer a high floor for his cheap price. Foote has been paired with Victor Hedman all of training camp and preseason, and should be ready to block a bunch of shots this season.
Grinder #2
Reilly Smith – Not the absolute cheapest by any means, but worth mentioning. Smith is slated to be on the Golden Knights’ top line and powerplay unit with Jack Eichel, which bodes well for his overall production.
Grinder #3
Alexis Lafreniere – Be weary here. I only recommend for cash games, because he is a highly touted first overall pick, and will be popular at this price. He should be a solid points per dollar play, but my lines show the Rangers keeping the “kids line” together on the 3rd line, and all together on the 2nd powerplay unit. I would fade in tournaments, but play in cash, where we want multiple different darts on the board.
Good luck, I hope you all come in 2nd. 😉
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