NFL DFS: Week 5 Top Stacks
Detroit Lions Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay Stafford and the Lions should take advantage of a Packers secondary that has been plagued by injury and poor play through the first four weeks of the season. Kenny Golladay saw just four targets last week but converted all of them into catches against a tough Dallas secondary. In his previous three games, the emerging receiver saw seven, nine, and 12 targets respectively and brings good size in a matchup against the undersized Packer secondary. Golden Tate has seen eight, eight, 13, and 15 targets over his last four games with at least six catches and 69 yards in each contest. Last week Tate broke out in a big way catching all eight of his targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He presents good upside with his run after catch ability while being a dependable target in a high-volume passing offense. Leading the charge of this high-volume passing attack is Matt Stafford who has attempted at least 30 passes in each game this season while completing at least 24 of those attempts in each contest. Stafford has had two games (week 1 27 completions on 46 attempts) and (week 2 34 completions on 53 attempts.) I expect a similar workload here in a game that should be high-scoring and close throughout. Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Vance McDonald In the game with the highest total on the board, exposure to this game will be heavy throughout all contests which I’m fine within a game featuring two poor defenses. The Falcons defense has been losing players due to injury left and right and Ben is looking to bounce back after a poor home performance last week against Baltimore. Antonio Brown is yet to have one of his typical monster games through the first four weeks of the season but I think that we are in for that this week. He’s seen 11, 9, 17, and 16 targets over the last four weeks and has found the end zone on three occasions. Look for Ben to get AB involved early and often. Vance McDonald presents good value at the tight end spot this week with not much clarity at the position. With that said, expect McDonald to be a popular play but one that should pay off as he did last week catching all five of his targets for 62 yards. This stack presents value with McDonald and Ben, especially on DK allowing you to run it back with Julio Jones from the Falcons passing attack. Philadelphia Eagles Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffrey, Zach Ertz With most looking to the 1 p.m games for exposure this week, this game should fly under the radar and has the making of a potential shootout. The Vikings defense is solid but they have shown to be vulnerable at times, specifically against the Bills and Rams. Wentz is in his third week back and is looking more and more like the player we saw last season. Coming off of good week against a solid Titans defense on the road (33.50, 348, 2), Wentz is in the driver’s seat again this week at home. One of those Wentz touchdowns went to the returning Alshon Jeffery who missed the first three games of the season recovering from surgery on his rotator cuff. Jeffery had eight receptions on nine targets for 105 yards and that score. There’s a chance that he sees some Xavier Rhodes in this spot which should scare some people off of him. I spoke on the tight end scarcity this week when talking about Vance McDonald as a value play. On the opposite side of the spectrum, paying up for Zach Ertz could pay off in a big way. Ertz has seen 10 and 14 targets in the two games since Wentz returned with 15 catches and 185 yards. He should be a heavy target in the middle of the field. To run this Eagles stack back, the clear-cut option that I’m looking at is the rock-solid Adam Thielen. He’s seen 12, 19, 13, and 12 targets respectively over the first four weeks of the season with 8, 14, 12, and six catches. Kirk Cousins has shown over the years that he loves to distribute the ball to the middle of the field and Thielen has shown last season and so far this season to be one of the more dependable targets in that area in the league. GOOD LUCK!!
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 10/5
Top Goalies Jonathan Quick (LAK) People seem to forget that Quick was on top of the world a few years back as one of the best goaltenders, if not the best goaltender in the NHL. After getting hurt two years
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 10/4
Top Goalies Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) The only question, for me about Fleury tonight is whether or not I’m willing to pay up for him, specifically on FanDuel. on DK his salary is more than fair. Salaries aside he’s the best
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 10/3
We’ve finally made it, people. It’s opening night in the National Hockey League and while the preseason was a fun ride, I’m more than ready for the puck to drop on the regular season tonight. This write up will cover both DraftKings and FanDuel and unless noted, all players mentioned are usable on both sites. As promised, moving forward these write-ups will be narrowed down as opposed to the preseason version where I was highlighting my favorite plays along with clarifying who was playing for their respective teams each night. Without further ado, let’s get going! Top Goalies Frederik Andersen (TOR) Andersen is my top goalie on both sites tonight coming in at $8,400 on both DK and FD. Last season he faced the Canadiens three times winning all three games, stopping 95 of 100 shots he faces (.950) with a 1.66 GAA and a shutout. This Montreal team was already pinned as being a poor team before trading Max Pacioretty and now that he’s gone they are dissembled down to virtually nothing. Couple that with the absence of Shea Weber and a very good Toronto team in front of him, Andersen stands out as a top option in all formats tonight. Mike Smith (CGY) Mike Smith is an interesting goalie as he’s been around for a very long time now. His best days came with the Coyotes; notably during the 2011-2012 season when he won 38 games. Fast forward to two seasons ago when he made the All-Star team with the ‘Yotes and was considered a good tournament play on most nights as he has been known to stand on his head at times. With this Calgary team, a team that will more than likely run a slower pace with new Head Coach Bill Peters, Smith figures to see fewer shots against on a nightly basis. Vancouver averaged just 30 shots on goal per game last season, fourth fewest in the league. Plain and simple, a team that will try to limit shots against facing a team that near the bottom in shots per game suggests the Smith could see limited work in this spot. Limited shots against will suppress his upside and if he happens to let one or two of those shots squeak through, then it’s a failed proposition to me in tournaments. Smith is ok as a pivot off of Andersen on DK for salary purposes where he’s $900 cheaper and on FD for ownership purposes where his salary is close enough to Andersen’s that I think people may gravitate toward the Toronto netminder. However, I don’t expect him to blow the doors off here with a big night unless he pitches a shutout. I think he wins, I also think he lets a couple of goals in which is one of the reasons I have him below Andersen. Martin Jones (SJS) Jones is a DK play to consider for me tonight at $8,200. There isn’t a chance in hell that I would play him on FD for $8,800. Jones has shown to be a solid goaltender, dependable in most spots, but very rarely the guy that will take the game over between the pipes. He was very good against this Ducks team last season with a .940 save percentage. The Sharks should win and Jones is a fine play, but he’s a clear third option for me tonight. Key Three Skaters This section will cover my three favorite skaters for a particular slate overall. Auston Matthews (TOR) Matthews will center Toronto’s second line and skate on the top power-play unit. He’s less expensive on both sites than his teammate John Tavares and, in my eyes, is in just as good a spot as him. The phenom has killed Montreal early on in his career with seven goals, two assists, and 23 shots on goal in seven games against Montreal. With Tavares taking over most of the top-line defensive responsibilities this season, more than likely, Matthews is primed for a big year while not having all of the pressure of producing. Sean Monahan (CGY) In what looks to be a major pricing gaffe, Monahan is just $5,900 on DK, sixth-lowest at the center position. He centers the Flames’ first line with running mate Johnny Gaudreau on one of his wings. Monahan had a goal and two assists in four games against Vancouver last season, and although he figures to see Bo Horvat matched up against him who’s a good defender, Monahan’s salary is just to good for me to ignore. Evander Kane (SJS) Kane was having a very good season at the start in Buffalo last year before slowing down, getting hurt, and then getting traded to San Jose. The speedy winger was a productive high-volume shooter with the Sabres with 3.70 shots per game but when he came to San Jose he took his game to another level. In 17 games with the Sharks, Kane buried nine goals, dished out five assists, and averaged 4.70 shots per game. I expect him to have big-time production in his first full season with the Sharks and in this matchup, his speed will be an x-factor. Top Teams to Target Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens With the Maple Leafs acquisition of John Tavares in the offseason, they now have two of the leagues top centers at their disposal along with Auston Matthews. With JT centering the first line at the outset with Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman at his wings, this figures to be a line that will be one of the stronger trio’s at even strength this season. Matthews will center the second line, a task that was up to guys like Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak last season. With Bozak gone, Kadri drops down to the third line making Auston the focal point centering Patrick Marleau and Tyler Ennis (for now). The Leafs will miss the net presence of James van Riemsdyk who was sixth in the league last season with 5.54 high danger scoring chances per 60
NFL DFS Primetime: Mon-Thu 10/1
This weeks MNF-TNF slate features some high powered offenses which makes the depth across every position very good and should open up the ownership. I think we will definitely see more ownership on tonights game between the Chiefs and Broncos
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 9/29 Preseason
*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut. Games on the Slate Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings Top Goalies Jonathan Bernier (DET) In a matchup against the Leafs who will rest pretty much every notable skater on their roster, Bernier stands out here at home in a game that I don’t expect to see a lot of fireworks from. Cam Ward (CHI) Cam Ward was every bit of Scam Ward in his last start but I expect him to bounce back tonight against Columbus with most of their top skaters getting the night off. Carey Price (MTL) Look for Price to get the full game tonight against the Senators in this the Canadiens final preseason game. He’ll look to bounce back from his previous effort in which he allowed 5 goals on 26 shots against Toronto. In his two previous games this preseason, Price allowed four goals on 40 shots against. Key Three Skaters This section will cover my three favorite skaters for a particular slate overall. Vincent Trocheck (FLA) Centering the second line for the Panthers, Trocheck brings a lot to the table with his speed and plenty of opportunities with his heavy amount of ice time. He boasts a high volume of shots and skates in all situations including seeing time on the top power-play unit and penalty kill. In a game that should see plenty of scoring, look for Trocheck to be involved. Patrick Kane (CHI) Columbus is resting virtually all of their top players tonight after last nights goal-scoring barrage against the Penguins. Kane should be able to exploit the Jackets’ defense and take advantage of their backup goaltender with plenty of scoring opportunities. Anze Kopitar (LAK) Kopitar is often overlooked playing out West but the fact of the matter is that he’s one of the best two-way centers in the game while seeing ice-time in every situation for the Kings. In five games against the Ducks, last season Kopitar had two goals and five points while averaging 23 minutes of ice time. Sneaky Skater Mathieu Joseph (TB) The 21-year-old prospect has three goals, four assists, and 14 shots on goal in five preseason games thus far for the Lightning. It’s unclear as to which line Joseph will skate on tonight, but with Nikita Kucherov out, there’s a chance we see him skate on Stamkos’ line. Top Positional Plays Center Aleksander Barkov (FLA) Steven Stamkos (TB) Jonathan Toews (CHI) Matt Duchene (OTT) Brayden Point (TB) Jeff Carter (LAK) Nick Schmaltz (CHI) Dominik Kahun (CHI) Wing Mike Hoffman (FLA) Evgenii Dadonov (FLA) Alex DeBrincat (CHI) Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA) Dustin Brown (LAK) Jonathan Drouin (MTL) Ondrej Palat (TB) Tyler Toffoli (LAK) Paul Byron (MTL) J.T. Miller (TB) Filip Zadina (DET) Alex Iafallo (LAK) Brandon Saad (CHI) Tomas Tatar (MTL) Alex Killorn (TB) Defense Victor Hedman (TB) Drew Doughty (LAK) Keith Yandle (FLA) Duncan Keith (CHI) Jeff Petry (MTL) Mikhail Sergachev (TB) Brent Seabrook (CHI) Ryan McDonagh (TB) Henri Jokiharju (CHI) Favorite Line Stacks Florida Panthers Second Line Huberdeau – Trocheck – Hoffman Los Angeles Kings First Line Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown Chicago Blackhawks First Line DeBrincat – Toews – Kahun
NFL DFS: Week 4 Top Stacks
Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton, Giovanni Bernard, A.J. Green In what is one of the highest projected scoring games of the week, the Bengals travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on the fast track of the Mercedes-Ben blah blah whatever
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 9/28 Preseason
*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut. Games on the Slate Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals Detroit Red Wings
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 9/27 Preseason
*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut. Games on the Slate New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers New Jersey Devils at Winnipeg Jets Ottawa Senators
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 9/26 Preseason
*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut. Games on the Slate New York Islanders at New York Rangers Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins Buffalo