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 Two Skaters
My top two skaters on the slate.
Aleksander Barkov (FLA)
Bark has four goals in his last six games and gets a chance on home ice tonight against the Wild who impressed last night beating the Lightning in their own building 3-0. Minnesota has been stingy against the center position of late but Barkov is a different animal when it comes to the position, especially on a short slate. He sees a ton of ice time, second among centers on a per-game basis and skates in all situations. He leads the position in takeaways/60 supporting the fact that he’s tremendous defensively often wearing down his counterpart, in this game likely Eric Staal, to the point of which he creates a mismatch through the second half and late stages of games, especially at home. Barkov has been a machine on home ice this season accumulating 20 goals and 45 points in 34 games and I expect a big night from him tonight.
Sebastian Aho (CAR)
Aho comes in red hot with points in six straight games including five goals and three assists over that span. The Hurricanes, who are 18-10-4 at home this season host the Jets, 17-15 on the road, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers over that past month. Aho leads the team in goals and assists and should lead the red-hot ‘Canes, 8-1-1 over their last 10, tonight.
Top Positional Plays
Outside of the Key Two highlighted above.
Center
Mark Scheifele (WPG) – Seven points in his last four games.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH) – Expect high ownership here. I don’t love the Caps in this spot like I think most will, but Kuzy’s skill will be on display here.
Vinnie Trocheck (FLA) – Florida exposure while stepping down from the high-priced Barkov. Centers a second line that generates a lot of shots and chaos.
Jordan Staal (CAR) – Has six points in five games since returning after missing more than a month, dirt cheap as well at $3,600.
Phillip Danault (MTL) – Value to correlate at even strength with… (see first “wing”)
Wing
Brendan Gallagher (MTL) – Over the past month, Gally leads all forwards with 15.86 shots per 60, 2.82 goals per 60, and high-danger scoring chances per 60 at 5 v 5.
Patrik Laine (WPG) – Since being moved back to the top line with Scheifele and Wheeler, Laine has points in six of seven games including four goals and four assists averaging 3.28 shots per game.
Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA) – Has really been clicking with Barkov of late and has generated the eighth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 over that span of all forwards.
Justin Williams (CAR) – Good correlation play with Aho at even strength and on the power play. The Jets have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to right-wingers over the last four weeks.
Jason Zucker (MIN) – Now has six goals in his last six games after last nights hat trick and remains a great value.
Jonathan Drouin (MTL) – Going through a tough stretch but is a value option as a one-off with top power-play exposure.
Corey Perry (ANA) – Perry is a borderline dart throw these days but he’s still seeing first line and top power-play time and has a good matchup against Montreal who has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to right-wingers over the past month.
Defense
John Carlson (WSH) – No problem paying up for him for the Caps exposure considering how involved he is offensively.
Ryan Suter (MIN) – Not even a question whether I roster him tonight or not. The value along with the matchup are both great.
Damon Severson (NJ) – Possibly the best offensive player the Devils have right now (half joking) and the Caps are allowing a lot of production to defensemen.
Jaccob Slavin (CAR) – Prefer him over Dougie Hamilton and Justin Faulk because of the value but all three are in play.
Keith Yandle (FLA) – Points in four of his last seven games with multiple points in three of those contests.
Jeff Petry (MTL) – I prefer the discount that comes with Petry over the high salary of Shea Weber. Petry is seeing minutes on the top power-play unit as well.
Center – Wing Combo’s
My favorite Center-Wing combos, listed in order to consider starting your cash/single entry contests with.
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov – Jonathan Huberdeau
Carolina Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho – Justin Williams
Montreal Canadiens: Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Top Goalies
Carey Price (MTL)
Curtis McElhinney (CAR)
GOOD LUCK!!
