Key Three Skaters
Patrick Kane (CHI)
In the same game, I really like Patrick Kane and the matchup he has against Edmonton combined with the success he’s had against the Oilers. Edmonton has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points over the last four weeks to right-wingers and Kane has 14 points in his last 11 games against the Oilers. Kane is also riding an 11-game point scoring streak, a streak in which he’s recorded multiple points seven times.
Connor McDavid (EDM)
It’s not often that I look to McDavid, for whatever reason, but tonight I love this home matchup against the Blackhawks. McDavid has points in 10 of his last 11 games and eight points in his last eight games against Chicago. The Hawks have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks putting McDavid in an even better spot to succeed.
Sebastian Aho (CAR)
Aho has solid numbers against Pittsburgh with three goals and four assists in eight career games, but he’s on fire of late with three goals and six assists in his last five games. The Pens have allowed the second-most fantasy points to centers over the last month including 23 goals and 21 assists allowed to the position over the 10-game stretch.
Favorite Line Stacks
Blackhawks First Line
Caggiula – Toews – Kane
Toews and Kane are back together once again making for a dynamic one-two punch in a game that should see some goals scored. Toews’ value will help offset the expensive salary that Kane carries in with him, as will the supreme value of Drake Caggiula who plays Edmonton for the first time since being moved to the Hawks at the end of December.
Canadiens First Line
Drouin – Danault – Gallagher
The Ducks, playing their second game in as many nights have seemingly quit and that couldn’t be more obvious when looking at their play in their last three games as they’ve left John Gibson out to dry. They’ve lost those games 6-1 (at Toronto), 9-3 (at Winnipeg), and 5-1 (home against St. Louis) and have allowed a total of 107 shots in those games. On the opposite side of that, the Canadiens are surging going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Drouin has four points in his last four games, Danault is a great value centering the top line and should have opportunities as the Ducks have allowed 12 goals and 19 assists to centers in their last 10 games. Gally is overdue for a goal or two with none in his last five games and has 21 shots over that span. With Chad Johnson expected to be in net tonight, the Canadiens should run Anaheim out of the Bell Center as Johnson comes in with a 2-9 record, 3.36 goals against average, and a putrid .886 save percentage.
Predators First Line
Forsberg – Johansen – Arvidsson
The Preds have had a hell of a time playing against Arizona averaging less than two goals per game against the Coyotes in these teams’ last nine meeting. Crazy, I know, but I think this is a good spot to go after Arizona, a team that has been stingy defensively all year long. The Coyotes just played last night against the Stars and lost 5-4 after crumbling in the third period allowing four goals, three of which came in about a minute. Nashville has the firepower to put up a crooked number and Johansen, Forsberg, and Arvidsson have extremely productive over their last 10 games combining for eight goals as a unit. Keep in mind that Johansen had been suspended for two of those games. It’s a tough spot for the Yotes tonight traveling to one of the more hostile environments in hockey and likely sending Calvin Pickard to the crease. Pickard has struggled with a 3.78 goals against average and a .869 save percentage.
Lightning First Line
Palat – Stamkos – Kucherov
This was the Lightning top line at practice yesterday with Brayden Point questionable to play tonight. As Stamkos continues to be hot with four goals in his last four games and points in eight of his last nine, he and Kucherov, the league leader in points per 60, should control the puck possession here for Tampa. Palat fits in well on the left wing at even strength and at the left point on the top power-play unit.
Value Line Stacks
Sabres First Line
Sheary – Eichel – Okposo
It’s very annoying to look at Buffalo and see them jumble lines around, especially when the top line of Jeff Skinner, Jack Eichel, and Sam Reinhart has been so damn good this season. Either way, Sheary and Okposo bring extreme value to the ice tonight making Eichel an easy high-upside play to pay for in a good matchup at home as the Wild have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks. Sheary and Okposo do not see top power-play minutes with Eichel, but at their salaries, it won’t take much for them to pay off.
Hurricanes First Line
Niederreiter – Aho – Williams
Niederreiter has made quite an impact since coming over from Minnesota and Justin Williams, who’s a great value at $4,700 is still someone that’s able to score the puck. With Aho likely opening up some room and attracting most of the attention, look for the veterans Niederreiter and Williams to find some scoring opportunities. All three skaters skate on the top power-play unit for the ‘Canes as well.
Blue Jackets Second Line
Bjorkstrand – Wennberg – Panarin
There is tremendous value here with Wennberg and Bjorkstrand skating with the higher-priced Panarin. Wennberg will benefit from having a forward like Panarin skating with him who can create high-quality scoring opportunities and Bjorkstrand will have some more open ice to play with.
Top Positional Plays
Center
Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ) – Underpriced considering his time on the top power-play unit and the deficiencies the Avs have shown at times against centers.
Aleksander Barkov (FLA) – It’s been a dreadful season for Florida, but Barkov is still a solid option against a team that gives up a ton of goals on the road. He’s a great bargain at $5,900 on DK.
Ryan O’Reilly (STL) – Riding a seven-game point streak, Florida has been dreadful defensively at times this season.
Nico Hischier (NJ) – The Kings have allowed 13 goals in their last eight games to centers.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – Was a little banged up but should be good to go in a good matchup against Columbus.
Tomas Hertl (SJ) – Skating very well centering the second line and seeing time on the top power-play unit.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (MTL) – The third overall pick in this past year’s draft has goals in back to back games as he’s looking increasingly more comfortable at the NHL level. He’s just $3,500 on DK and is slotted in on the top power-play unit.
Wing
Jeff Skinner (BUF) – Minnesota has allowed the second-most fantasy points to left-wingers over the last four weeks, including 15 goals over the 12-game span.
Evander Kane (SJ) – Five goals in his last five games and the Jets have allowed the most fantasy points to left-wingers over the last four weeks.
David Pastrnak (BOS) – He’s eighth in goals per 60 and fifth in shots per 60. Even in a tough matchup, he has to be considered.
Timo Meier (SJ) – Starting to make his way onto the scoresheet again with points in each of his last four.
Kyle Connor (WPG) – Connor has seven goals in his last nine games and somehow he’s still a great value on DK.
Brad Marchand (BOS) – Has a goal in each of his last four games against the Islanders and has points in six of his last seven games overall.
Patrik Laine (WPG) – He’s gonna break out in one of these home games with a couple of goals and I don’t want to miss it.
Nick Foligno (CBJ) – Nice value moving up to the top line and remaining on the top power-play unit.
Defense
Brent Burns (SJ) – The Jets have allowed the third-most fantasy points to defensemen over the last month.
Seth Jones (CBJ) – Colorado has had trouble with defensemen all season but have been dreadful over their last nine games allowing 29 points.
Kris Letang (PIT) – The Hurricanes have allowed the second-most fantasy points to defensemen over the last four weeks and Letang has points in four of his last five games.
Darnell Nurse (EDM) – Nurse continues to see an increased workload with Oscar Klefbom out. The Blackhawks have allowed a lot of production to defensemen all season and Nurse has three points in his last three games.
Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF) – The Wild have allowed the most fantasy points to defensemen over the last four weeks.
Shea Weber (MTL) – Love the Canadiens tonight and you can’t overlook Weber’s involvement in the offense.
Alex Pietrangelo (STL) – Always look to the defensemen against Florida.
Drew Doughty (LA) – Sees the most ice time per game of any defenseman in the league and the Devils have allowed 24 points to the position in their last 10 games.
Mattias Ekholm (NSH) – Second on the team in points.
Value
Zach Werenski (CBJ)
Duncan Keith (CHI)
Justin Faulk (CAR)
Will Butcher (NJ)
Charlie McAvoy (BOS)
Erik Johnson (COL)
Shea Theodore (VGK)
Marc-Edouard Vlasic (SJ)
Top Goalies
Pekka Rinne (NSH)
Carey Price (MTL)
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB)
Tuuka Rask (BOS)
James Reimer (FLA)
GOOD LUCK!!
