Holy smokes everybody it is time for NHL to start back up. If you didn’t already know, the DFS Army is changing the fantasy preparation game in a big way this year. Here at the Army we have a plethora of new/returning coaches, a more effective version of our cheat sheets, and our IT experts have tweaked our domination station to be even more accurate and user friendly. Come gain access to our discord, communicate with the top coaches in the game, and make fun of me whenever you want! Now, onto opening night!
Slate Overview:
Most dynamic and wide open slate so far of the season is coming in hot today. Obviously I will be going over my 2 favorite stacks with the highest upside, but first let me go over the “other games”. The Blues/Stars and Predators/Kraken games are completely uninteresting to me from a DFS standpoint. Hockey wise they should be 2 of the closest and best games on the slate. The Sabres vs Rangers is very polarizing with Buffalo at home. Buffalo is a very high scoring team, but the Rangers have a good blueline backed up by Igor Shesterkin in net. I personally am avoiding this, but it makes for some low-owned tournament options. I could see Kaprizov and the Wild having a nice game at home against the Panthers. Same goes for Vegas who gets potentially the worst team in the league in the Sharks. With Vegas’ goalie being the preferred cash game goalie, and Shesterkin being my favorite GPP goalie, let’s get to my snipes.
Snipe #1 – Patrik Laine – Johnny Gaudreau
The Blue Jackets are going to be a fast team that plays a lot of fantasy relevant games. They will score a bunch of goals, and give up a bunch of goals (due to their poo goalies). The Jackets open the season up at home against the Flyers. It is now or never if you are going to win a hockey game. Full arena, terrible team in town, and opening night. The Flyers have no redeeming qualities in all honesty. The Jackets traded them for Ivan Provorov who was Philly’s best defenseman, and Philly has not improved their roster at all. Gaudreau is a top player in the world, and always has crazy high upside. Patrik Laine has similar upside, but in a streakier way. I will say that Laine was over a point per game and looked great in the preseason. The upside, the opponent, and the form makes me like the Blue Jackets this time. Zach Werenski is also stackable with Laine and Gaudreau, because they are all usually on the top powerplay unit.
Nov 5, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Snipe #2 – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt – Tyler Toffoli
These guys should also correlate on the top PP unit as well as the top line. I love this mix of talent. Jack Hughes is Mr. Everything for the Devils, Jesper Bratt is a dynamic playmaker, and Toffoli is a greasy scorer that puts himself in good spots. The Devils start the year at home against the Red Wings, which is an above average spot in my opinion. The Red Wings are the most “mid” team in the NHL, and literally nothing about them scares me off of the Devils’ big boys. I’m just keeping it short, sweet, and honest here. This could be one of the best lines in hockey, and this is not the time to overthink things. The Devils are here to stay, and they are here to score 5 goals in every single game they play.
Grinder #1 – Shayne Gostisbehere – If the Ghost stays on the Red Wings top PP unit, I do not mind him at all to fill out a cheap defenseman spot.
Grinder #2 – Anthony Duclair – The Sharks suck, but Duclair should be in their top 6 and top PP unit.
Grinder #3 – Bobby Brink – The Flyers have a plan. Stink it up. Bobby Brink is a new young gun on the scene that is slotted on the top line and top PP unit. Columbus should win this game, but their goaltending is shaky. Anyone that plays solid minutes in offensive situations can score vs Columbus.
Bankroll Grinder – I am seeing a 4 game parlay of Blue Jackets, Golden Knights, and Wild moneylines, with the Devils/Wings over 6.5, at +750. Remember to check out the Sharp App!