NHL Building Blocks – December 30
One more weekend before the new year…wow! Good slate tonight…let’s get it!
The premise of each article in this series is to feature starting spots (building blocks) for your lines. These are plays that are cash-viable as well as GPP-worthy and can be considered in all contest formats.
Starting Lineup – DECEMBER 30
The Goalie: Tristan Jarry ($8300 DK / $7600 FD)
Pittsburgh is starting to become known more for their defense this season rather than their powerhouse offensive talent, which is much different from years past. The Blues’ offense doesn’t impress at all, sporting a 2.97 goals per game average and the league’s worst power play at 11.1%. Even though the record doesn’t reflect his production, Jarry (10-11-2 / 2.49 / .916) leads a Pittsburgh defense that is top 10 in both goals allowed per game (2.70, sixth in the league) and penalty killing (83.0%, good for ninth), and at home tonight as well, I like the Pens to shut down the Blues.
The Center: Auston Matthews ($10000 DK / $10400 FD)
Another goal last night (that makes 29 in 33 games), continuing his torrid pace. Ride him until he cools off (especially against a team with not-good goaltending).
The Wing: David Pastrnak ($9500 DK / $10200 FD)
Great spot for him and for the Bruins tonight; fifth in the league in goals (20) and sixth in scoring (46) and tops in shots (166); floor and ceiling galore for him in this one.
The Defenseman: Brent Burns ($4200 DK / $5200 FD)
Solid floor and contributor in all three facets; very cheap for his production and situation tonight. Hits people, shoots the puck, and is all over the ice.
The Value: Morgan Geekie ($3800 DK / $4400 FD)
Centering PP1 and playing a L1 wing with Pastrnak; great way to correlate against a not-good Devils defense. Use as part of a stack or as a one-off.
The Stack: TOR PP1
The Leafs played last night (and had a typical result, scoring five goals and losing in overtime), and they get a Carolina team that is decent defensively but does not have good goaltending whatsoever. This game could shoot out, so I want pieces from both sides. Matthews has 29 goals now in 33 games; Nylander continues to produce in his contract year (actually leading the team in not only scoring but also shots); mix and match them with Marner and Tavares (who you could play instead for cheaper and still get great correlation) as well as with Rielly.
The Builder: FLA/PIT ML parlay
Feb 7, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
