NHL Building Blocks – January 14
Two games only today – and they’re far apart in start time. Let’s dive in!
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 – January 14
The Goalie: Igor Shesterkin ($8000 DK / $8600 FD)
Best matchup on paper on this small slate as the Rangers take on the Capitals and their lethargic offense (2.38 goals per game and a 13.6% power play). Shesterkin (16-10-0 / 2.90 / .901) has been above average but not the elite goalie we’re used to seeing, and maybe today is that day. Should be the safest goalie on the slate given the matchup.
The Center: Auston Matthews ($10000 DK / $10300 FD)
A strong choice given his upside (33 goals and 48 points in 39 games to go along with 169 shots) and given the matchup, he’s hard to pass up in this one.
The Wing: William Nylander ($8700 DK/ $10200 FD)
Sixth in the league in scoring with 57 points (on pace for over 100), including 21 goals, and is tied for fourth in shots. Good floor and great upside tonight.
The Defenseman: Moritz Seider ($5200 DK / $5900 FD)
Has a really solid floor (especially as he’ll be needed in this one) playing all three situations; 23 points in 42 games (22+ minutes per game) in his follow-up to his ROY season last year.
The Value: Tyler Bertuzzi ($3300 DK / $4800 FD)
Paired with Nylander/Tavares and should have some nice chances in this one; really nice price for the potential. Stack or one-off.
The Stack: TOR PP1 (Matthews/Marner/Nylander/Tavares/Rielly)
Can’t argue with the spot in this one as the high-upside Leafs get a not-good defense in the Wings. Top five in goals per game and a 26.5% in power play against a team giving up close to three and a half goals per game. An offense that is always in play, and it gives you variety: pair Matthews and Marner (add in Rielly) or pair Tavares and Nylander…or mix and match them as they see time on PP1.
The Builder: parlay of NYR ML and TOR/DET O7 (O6.5 if you can find it)
Nov 26, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (88) passes the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
