NHL Building Blocks – February 17
Nice slate tonight of six games. 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 – February 17
The Goalie: Ilya Samsonov ($8500 DK / $8400 FD)
Should be popular as the Leafs are heavily favored. Anaheim can’t score the puck (2.57 goals scored average), and at the very least, Toronto’s offense should give Samsonov support. Samsonov has actually played better of late, winning four of his last five.
The Center: Auston Matthews ($9900 DK/ $10200 FD)
45 goals in 51 games (including a hat trick last time out) and on pace for over 70. Keep riding the wave, especially in a good matchup like tonight.
The Wing: Alex Ovechkin ($6400 DK/ $6600 FD)
Way too cheap for what he’s been doing recently (five goals and an assist in his last five) and in a great matchup tonight. Might be turning things around from a really slow start.
The Defenseman: Alex Pietrangelo ($6200 DK / $6400 FD)
Sees time in all three situations and has seen production increase since Theodore has been out; will be needed tonight against a good and heavy volume Carolina offense. Four assists and 10 shots in his last five games.
The Value: Johnny Gaudreau ($4500 DK / $4900 FD)
Way too cheap for the upside in this matchup; six assists in his last five games.
The Stack: TOR1 (Matthews/Marner)
Should be popular facing a Ducks defense that can’t score and can’t stop the puck. The Leafs are in the playoff picture, but barely, so every win counts, and they’ll need to take advantage of spots like this. Nylander-Tavares is always a solid pairing, but tonight I’m rolling with this pair as they’re rolling. Mix them all together for power play exposure and add McCabe.
The Builder: Parlay of TOR ML and BUF/MIN O 6.5
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
