NHL Building Blocks – February 5
Great All-Star Weekend! The second half begins tonight. 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 5
The Goalie: Ilya Samsonov ($8200 DK / $8000 FD)
Might feel a little gross, but it’s a two-gamer, after all. Facing a fairly pedestrian Islanders offense (2.90 goals per game, 24th in the league), Samsonov has actually played fairly well recently, going 3-2 in his past five with a shutout against the Jets and allowing just 2.35 goals per game over that time. Probably has the best matchup on paper (and has an offense in front of him to give him support).
The Center: Auston Matthews ($9800 DK/ $9600 FD)
Continues his pursuit of a 70-goal season; fresh off an MVP win at the All-Star Game in Toronto as well. Think the momentum keeps going.
The Wing: Mitch Marner ($6500 DK/ $8100 FD)
Looked like he was having a lot of fun during All-Star festivities and should be rejuvenated for a second half. Having a good year overall as Matthews’s linemate (20 goals and 53 points in 47 games); six points in his last five games. Nicely priced (especially on DK) for the upside.
The Defenseman: Noah Dobson ($7000 DK / $7000 FD)
Always one of the best floors in hockey, and will be needed on both sides of the ice against a tough Leafs’ offense. Leads the team in scoring as well with 52 points in 46 games.
The Value: Zach Parise ($3300 DK / $4400 FD)
Will probably be rusty, but skating on L2 and not seeing the Rangers’ top line opposite him could give him some space. Nice upside.
The Stack: TOR PP1
Should be pretty popular tonight as they may have the most upside of any line tonight, and they face an Islanders team that is not playing well defensively, including having the league’s worst penalty kill. Pick your forward pair of Matthews-Marner or Nylander-Tavares if not wanting to spend so much, though you can mix them all together for PP exposure (and add in Rielly).
The Builder: none
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner (PHOTO CREDIT: DAN HAMILTON-USA TODAY SPORTS)
