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The NHL season has hit week number three! Some hockey trends have established themselves but many are still to come. As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Today I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Friday, October 29th, 2020 at 7:00 PM. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me [email protected] or via Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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We feature a modest six-game slate, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings.
There is some news worth mentioning. The Carolina Panthers and Florida Panthers are on the back end of a back-to-back in Dallas. Also, Florida has a new coach, Arizona's penalty kill tries to show up against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
The goal will be to keep things as simple as possible. Our focus will be as much on interactions on social media and in chatrooms. This is because news and numbers have become that fluid now. Everything changes at a breakneck pace.
NHL DFS Goalies
Robin Lehner - DK $8.4K || FD $8.0K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
The question is risking Vegas at home as they have struggled mightily at T-Mobile Arena. Are their two road wins this week cause to see them end their home futility? They do draw against an unrested Anaheim team so there are few excuses. People would be surprised to see that Lehner's home/road splits are pretty even. Look at goals allowed per game and understand Vegas has played four of their first six games at home. Lehner is facing more than 31 shots per 60 at home. The hope for shots and volume is elevated at least.
Braden Holtby - DK $8.0K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
The Dallas goaltender faces the Senators in Dallas on Friday night. Now, Holtby lost a tough one on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. Considering that Dallas is averaging right around two goals a game creates less of a margin for error. Holtby had his first "off" game of the year despite facing a season-low 25 shots. Ottawa can be an athletic team that pushes the pace. Something has to in order to get Dallas jolted. A home start may be just what the doctor ordered.
Stay tuned during the day for potential goaltending pivots.
NHL DFS Centers
Nick Paul - DK $4.1K || FD $4.2K
Opponent - Dallas Stars
The idea is that Paul is getting top-line ice time in Ottawa currently. Now, he is listed as a wing on FanDuel which means carrying Boone Jenner as insurance from Columbus is a prudent idea. Paul has six shots on goal in three games this season. The fact that he could hit the shot bonus on DraftKings is a significant enough reason to roster him. That is why his salary has gone up honestly. As long as Ottawa's coaching staff keeps playing him at this usage rate, then Paul is a worthwhile option.
Evgeni Kuznetsov - DK $7.2K || FD $7.8K
Opponent - Arizona Coyotes
Kuznetsov bounced back after a rough game with a power-play goal against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night. Washington will not be happy campers and may take their frustrations out on an Arizona Coyotes team besieged by injuries and an abysmal penalty kill (44.4% is not a misprint). The center also has 3+ shots in four of his last five games as scoring chances are coming in bunches. Arizona just yielded five more goals to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Larkin (DK $6.5K || FD $6.4K), Bennett (DK $5.7K || FD $6.6K), Zegras (DK $5.0K || FD $4.7K)
NHL DFS Wings
Andrei Svechnikov - DK $7.5K || FD $8.8K
Opponent - Arizona Coyotes
There are just a few creative ways to spend up on Friday night and Andrei Svechnikov is one player to hone in on. The winger has 26 shots on goal and more than 20 scoring chances on the season. He keeps on scoring as Carolina faces a team that has allowed 30 goals on the season (31st in the league). Chicago also allows the second-most DFS points to wingers as well. So, a high-volume shooter going up against a team that is an abyss defensively at even-strength. Carolina may be a little fatigued playing on the back end of a back-to-back but that arguably only increases the potential for offense.
Owen Tippett - DK $2.9K || FD $4.2K
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
This is still a viable play but a touch riskier. Owen Tippett now has points in three straight games despite bottom-six ice time. At what point, does Florida's new coach utilize the forward more on that second line. There is clear chemistry between Jonathan Huberdeau and Tippett. Florida has so many quality forwards that most joke there are nine or ten DFS relevant candidates on any given night. That is not a joke. Again, more options than usual exist on this Friday night slate. This is thanks to the balanced schedule week.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ovechkin (DK $8.5K || FD $9.4K, Wilson (DK $4.7K || FD $5.7K), Robertson (DK $4.8K || FD $5.6K), Raymond (DK $5.1K || FD $4.7K -- Note that Tyler Bertuzzi is just $5.0K on FD).
NHL DFS Defensemen
Miro Heiskanen - DK $6.2K || FD $6.4K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
The Dallas Stars' defenseman will keep shooting. It is even nicer that Heiskanen has 19 shots on goal and 13 blocked shots. This is all while averaging a point a game in the early going. He is staying active offensively every game and attacking even when his shot is not there or an opportunity. Heiskanen is creating more and more using his puck-movement skills. One has to be encouraged by this continued development. If only the rest of the team would catch up and play a bit more consistently. That has been the knock on Dallas all season long. Do note the jump in price with the blueliner on DraftKings.
Gustav Forsling - DK $3.9K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
Gustav Forsling would be even better with an increased role on Florida's power-play but it will take some time due to how much depth Florida has. It makes too much sense for a moderate-volume shooter who hits the net well. Forsling has nine shots and seven scoring chances in his last three games. He also had three assists on Thursday against Boston while barely breaking a sweat. His ability to play hard with looking effortless has to be noticed. Endurance has been much stronger with Forsling and. Florida is again reaping the benefits.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ekblad (DK $6.8K || FD $7.1K), Carlson (DK $5.9K || FD $6.3K), Zub (DK $5.1K || FD $4.2K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- WSH1
- FLA2
- CAR1
- DET1
Chris’s Line Stack of the Day
CAR: Aho-Teravainen-Svechnikov
Obvious Stack
WSH: The entire Washington Power Play (Ovechkin going against the Arizona Penalty Kill).
Sneaky Stack
OTT: Stutzle-Paul-Brown (Zub on defense)
Please keep in mind that there will be many shifts in lines with most teams especially early. With COVID protocols elevated, morning skate has become far too interesting lately.
NHL Player News and Updates
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
