I’m taking more of a cash game/single entry approach to my articles from here on out so there could be a better understanding of how to construct lineups with the information provided.
*Note: All pricing references are based on DraftKings pricing.
Key Three Skaters
My top three skaters on the slate.
Jack Eichel (BUF)
The Blackhawks have allowed 14 goals in their last three games and are playing their first home game since February 24th. Eichel comes into play tonight with points in eight of his last nine games, including six goals and four assists over that span. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points over the last four weeks including 22 goals and 24 assists. This game should see a good pace and some scoring and I would expect the charge for Buffalo to be led, as usual, by Eichel and his line.
Anders Lee (NYI)
Lee and the Islanders face the Senators again, this time in Ottawa after beating them 5-4 at home on Tuesday night. The Sens continue to funnel points to left-wingers allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks. Lee, who kills the Senators has goals in each of his last six games against Ottawa totaling seven goals over that span.
Cam Atkinson (CBJ)
The Blue Jackets owe the Penguins one as they’ve lost each of their last two games against Pittsburgh, once at home and once in Pittsburgh. The Jackets have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and need a road victory tonight, something that they’ve been accustomed to this season with a 20-10-1 record away from home. Atkinson has goals in both games against Pittsburgh this season and the Pens have been friendly to right-wingers of late allowing 10 goals to the position in their last 14 games.
Top Positional Plays
Outside of the Key Three highlighted above.
Center
High-Price Tier ($6,500 and above)
Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – He’s had his way with the Stars in two games this season with a total of two goals, four assists, and 14 shots.
Mika Zibanajad (NYR) – The Red Wings have allowed the second-most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks including 23 goals and 38 assists over the 13-game stretch.
Ryan O’Reilly (STL) – Even on the back end of a back to back, O’Reilly shouldn’t have any trouble with the Kings who have allowed 21 goals and 26 assists to centers over their last 14 games.
Matt Duchene (CBJ) – Still looking to get himself going with just one point since being traded to Columbus. Duchene has enjoyed success against Pittsburgh with four goals and an assist in his last four games against them.
Mid-Price Tier (Between $5,100 and $6,400)
Brock Nelson (NYI) – Nelson has goals in two of his last three games against Ottawa and the Sens have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks.
Logan Couture (SJ) – The Canadiens have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last four week. Couture has generated 14 shots in his last four games.
David Krejci (BOS) – Four points during the Bruins’ current four-game homestand. Continues to see a bump in upside skating on the top power-play unit as well.
Mathew Barzal (NYI) – Was all over the ice the other night against Ottawa in 19:26 of ice time, including 4:51 of power-play time, but wasn’t able to generate anything offensively. Look for a bounce-back effort tonight.
Value-Price Tier ($5,000 or Below)
Vinnie Trocheck (FLA) – Too cheap assuming that he sees his usual 20 minutes, or close to that. Vinnie has at least four shots in each of his last five games totaling 23 shots over that span.
Anze Kopitar (LA) – Two goals and two assists in his last three games and six points (three goals, three assists) in his last four against the Blues who are playing their second game in as many nights on the road.
Wing
High-Price Tier ($6,500 and above)
Patrick Kane (CHI) – Buffalo has allowed the most fantasy points to the right-wing position over the last four weeks and Kane has totaled 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his last seven games against his hometown team as if you needed any more reason to consider Patrick Kane as an option.
Mikko Rantanen (COL) – Clicking once again with points in seven of his last eight games, including five goals and four assists over that span. Against the Stars, Ranto has multi-point efforts in two games this season compiling three goals and two assists.
Brad Marchand (BOS) – Three goals and three assists on the Bruins’ current four-game homestand.
Mike Hoffman (FLA) – Had two goals on nine shots against the Bruins earlier this season. As part of a second line that generates a ton of shots, Hoffman has 14 of them over his last four games.
Brendan Gallagher (MTL) – Goals in each of his last four games on 16 shots. Gallagher is generally matchup proof considering the number of shots and high-danger scoring chances he generates.
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) – Quietly second in the league with 41 goals. He’s scorching hot with 14 goals in his last 15 games and faces a Canucks team that just played into overtime winning in comeback fashion last night.
Mid-Price Tier (Between $5,100 and $6,400)
Jeff Skinner (BUF) – No goals in his last nine games, but he’s generated 15 shots in his last three games and is priced down a bit tonight in a great matchup.
Chris Kreider (NYR) – Detroit has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to right-wingers over the past month and Kreids, who’s been very consistent all year, is due for a good effort.
Phil Kessel (PIT) – Has points in each of his last three games against Columbus who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to right-wingers over the past month.
Sam Reinhart (BUF) – Chicago has allowed the most fantasy points per game to right-wingers over the past month. Reinhart has seen 18+ minutes of ice-time in each of his last seven games.
Value-Price Tier ($5,000 or Below)
Brandon Saad (CHI) – 20+ minutes in each of his last three games and has some history against Buffalo scoring four goals in his last seven games against them, including two on February 1st in Buffalo.
Patric Hornqvist (PIT) – Now has points in each of his last three regular-season games against Columbus and has points in four of his last five games overall.
Jimmy Vesey (NYR) – Moved up to the top line since the trade of Mats Zuccarello and has skated 18+ minutes in all but one game since then. Also, seeing time on the top power-play unit against a very suspect Detroit penalty kill.
Josh Bailey (NYI) – Five points in his last four games against the Sens who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to right-wingers over the past month.
Defense
Alex Pietrangelo (STL) – Points in four of his last five games now and a great matchup against the Kings who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to defensemen over the past month.
Torey Krug (BOS) – Shooting lanes have been there for d-men against the Panthers all season long and Krug has four points in his last five games but none in his last two. He’ll have chances tonight.
Zach Werenski (CBJ) – Pittsburgh has allowed 29 points to defensemen in their last 14 games and Jones comes in with goals in two of his last four games.
Victor Hedman (TB) – The Wild have allowed 10 goals and 19 assists to defensemen in their last 14 games.
Tyson Barrie (COL) – The Stars have allowed the third-most fantasy points to defensemen over the past month.
Justin Schultz (PIT) – Seeing increased ice-time and top power-play minutes with Kris Letang still out.
Value ($4,500 or less)
Nick Leddy (NYI)
Charlie McAvoy (BOS)
Kevin Shattenkirk (NYR)
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF)
Filip Hronek (DET)
Center – Wing Combo’s
My favorite Center-Wing combos, listed in order to consider starting your cash/single entry contests with.
Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel – Jeff Skinner
Columbus Blue Jackets: Matt Duchene – Cam Atkinson
Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen
Value/Secondary Center – Wing Combo’s
New York Rangers: Mika Zibanajad – Chris Kreider
New York Islanders: Brock Nelson – Anders Lee
Florida Panthers: Vinnie Trocheck – Mike Hoffman
Top Goalies
Thomas Greiss (NYI)
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB)
Jake Allen (STL)
Semyon Varlamov (COL)
GOOD LUCK!!
