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The NHL season has hit Thanksgiving week in full swing! 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 Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 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 at [email protected] or via Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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We feature a fourteen game slate, headlined by Florida, Vegas, Washington, Colorado, New York Rangers, and yes Vancouver versus Pittsburgh. The lock is at 7:00 this night before American Thanksgiving.
There is some news worth mentioning. Watch out for injuries and sadly much illness (not all COVID-related). Finally, goaltending confirmations and further injury news will be scrutinized heavily on social media. Oh, and yes the New York Islanders are still playing the New York Rangers on Wednesday night even with seven players in COVID protocol at press time.
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
Sergei Bobrovsky - DK $8.1K || FD $8.2K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
The Florida Panthers play a tired Philadelphia Flyers team on Wednesday night. Sergei Bobrovsky is projected to start and is 8-0-2 on the season. He has posted less than a .900 save percentage just twice on the season. Even in Saturday's 5-4 win, Bobrovsky posted 35 saves which hit the DraftKings save bonus. Now, the goaltender does not expect to hit bonuses on Wednesday but one never knows. Again, Bobrovsky represents one of the best opportunities to get a win with a prime home matchup. Though his salary is up near the top, it is not the highest as some may have expected.
Scott Wedgewood - DK $7.1K || FD $7.0K
Opponent - Edmonton Oilers
The Arizona Coyotes goaltender is a dicey choice but the Coyotes have garnered points in four straight contests. A big reason for that has been Scott Wedgewood. Arizona also comes in rested against a hobbled Edmonton team who will be likely without Duncan Keith and Darnell Nurse. Again, the salary is so low on such a large, large slate. One can get lost down a serious rabbit hole. However, Wedgewood has a 3-3 record in his last nine starts with an outstanding .922 save percentage in that span. He has also faced 116 shots in his last three starts. With Edmonton angered over scoring just one goal (22 shots) on Tuesday, they may come out firing on Wednesday.
Tristan Jarry - DK $8.1K || FD $7.5K
Opponent - Vancouver Canucks
The risk of playing Tristan Jarry is interesting on Wednesday night. Why is it a risk? That could be because how does Pittsburgh fare at home after such a good road trip in Canada? Jarry has rebounded nicely after that nightmarish playoff round versus the New York Islanders. Jarry's FanDuel salary is something else here. Also, Vancouver blesses opposing goalies with the most DFS points per game. Jarry allowed just one goal during three starts in Canada and posted two shutouts in his best performances of the season. Again, mental psychology plays a role here but it is hard to at least roster the Penguins' goaltender some places on Wednesday night.
Please watch for late-breaking goaltender confirmations during the early evening. This will allow you to be ready to make pivots as needed. Also note that Igor Shesterkin is just $7.7K on DraftKings for the New York Rangers. Home-Away pricing is something to look into on Wednesday and just the simple fact that teams are thinking as much about turkey and holiday as much as hockey.
NHL DFS Centers
Nazem Kadri - DK $6.9K || FD $7.1K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
The pivot from the Colorado Avalanche is producing at a rate which rivals Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Kadri has five goals and 14 assists in his last nine games (2.11 points per game). Lost in this crazy streak is that Kadri has eight power-play points in this span and still has a solid home matchup against an Anaheim team that will give up its fair share of chances. Anaheim could also be without Adam Henrique which could throw their lines in flux a bit. Also, Kadri is averaging around three shots a game and almost four scoring chances a night. While spending way up for Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid is very tempting, spreading the salary around this gargantuan slate is worthwhile as well.
Dawson Mercer - DK $4.0K || FD $4.7K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
DraftKings and FanDuel may be catching on here as Mercer's price is inching up into the 4's finally. Mercer has four goals and eight points in his last ten games. In this New Jersey-Minnesota game, one can look up to Ryan Hartman as well. The Wild center is reasonably priced but not quite as valuable as Mercer. It is Mercer's engine that fascinates many. He does not quit and that goal in Tampa Bay cements that fact. There is such an immense slate here so choices are beyond overload. Also, Mercer has finally cracked the New Jersey power play. Do not be shocked if he gets a power-play point on Wednesday. Cam Talbot gives up three or more goals on a deceptively frequent basis.
Thomas Hertl - DK $4.5K || FD $5.9K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
Centers tend to do pretty well in this spot lately. Someone in DFS figured out Thomas Hertl and Timo Meier (wing) are solid stacking options on Wednesday night and on those late slates too. Ottawa, just coming out of COVID protocols gave up seven goals to Colorado on Monday. This could be another game with elevated scoring at the least. Hertl has eight points in November so far and 33 shots on goal in his last ten games overall. Again, there are SO many options on Wednesday night. At the very least, the Ottawa-San Jose game should be quite an entertaining contest to cap off a wild NHL night.
Tage Thompson - DK $4.2K || FD $4.7K
Opponent - Boston Bruins
Centers have enjoyed some success against Boston of all teams lately. Tage Thompson has three goals in his last two games and nine points in his previous ten contests. The strangest thing is Thompson's salary has backed off from around $6K earlier in the month. Who knows how these price algorithms actually work? Our goal is to simply take advantage of these quirks. That allows us to set more lineups and spend for higher salaries at other positions. Also, the Buffalo top-six pivot is averaging four shots on goal a game at home while racking up nine points in ten home games. His DFS production is more than doubled compared to on the road.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kopitar (DK $7.2K || FD $7.8K), Zibanejad (DK $7.3K || FD $7.3K). Bennett (DK $6.3K || FD $6.1K -- Newhook only $3,9K on FD), Johansen (DK $3.6K || FD $4,1K), Stephenson (DK $4.3K || FD $5.0K), Hartman (DK $4.9K || FD $5.2K). Ryan Johansen has seven points in his last nine games. There are many many options besides the obvious Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl combination. Also, look to backdoor Islander players depending on how line combinations go in warmups.
NHL DFS Wings
Alex Ovechkin- DK $9.3K || FD $9.3K
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
There are so many ideas here and the only thing worse than the Montreal Canadiens off the ice is on the ice. It is a total train wreck and here comes Alex Ovechkin. Matt Duchene had a hat trick against Montreal in Montreal. Ovechkin has goals in consecutive games and six goals in his last nine games to go along with 15 points. Again, one of those spots to spend up may just be here on Wednesday with Tom Wilson as a good stacking option and even Dmitry Orlov. Montreal allows the most points in DFS to left-wingers and second-most across the board to all forwards and defensemen. Brendan Gallagher will have value as an opposition winger from this game being paired with Nick Suzuki.
Rickard Rakell - DK $4.7K || FD $4.6K
Opponent - Colorado Avalanche
This is one that could be a real helper to DFS lineups. Now, this is quite a risk because Rakell has become a bit one-dimensional again so far. He has 34 shots on goal in his last nine games. That includes five goals, however. Colorado is far from healthy still and again could be considerably vulnerable. Spending down from a Troy Terry may not be too bad of an idea. Rakell is cheap and has a bit more of a floor than say even Valeri Nichushkin from Colorado (who one can still utilize). There could be a good deal more scoring on Wednesday night for obvious reasons. One has to love Thanksgiving Eve!
Ondrej Kase - DK $3.0K || FD $3.6K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
There are lots of possibilities and no matter where Kase plays as far as the middle-six, the winger is firing more pucks on the net. Kase is riding a surge of confidence with 33 shots on goal in his previous ten games. His salary exudes value and on a 14-game slate, there can be too much value. That is understandable. Again, Los Angeles's thinner defense against a Toronto team that does have some scoring depth could be a good matchup. With Kase averaging over three scoring chances a game despite fluctuating ice time, it just indicates that the forward is finally healthy.
Kevin Fiala - DK $5.9K || FD $5.3K
Opponent - New Jersey Devils
This is one of the more tucked in plays on the slate Wednesday night. The New Jersey Devils can get killed by speed especially when it comes to their depth pairings. Their team defense can be suspect as they have allowed more than 34 shots per 60 even at home. Fiala finally has started to heat up offensively with nine points in his last ten games. The more fearful part is that Fiala is just shooting 5.1% (three goals on 59 shots) on the season. At some point, goals are going to come. He scored once this week and the chances he could again remain quite high. Jesper Bratt is the speedy counter here at a cheaper salary on Wednesday from New Jersey. Bratt also should see more power-play time.
Reilly Smith - DK $3.9K || FD $5.0K
Opponent - Nashville Predators
This is a roll-of-the-dice option on Wednesday night. Smith keeps scoring goals and racking up points. Ten points in his last ten games with the prospect of Max Pacioretty returning is quite encouraging. That DraftKings price combined with Smith firing 3+ shots a game of late makes him a value play for those reasons alone. The goal of reality here is that one cannot roster everyone. However, Smith's speed is going to cause the Predators fits defensively. That shot release will even test Juuse Saros and probably often on Wednesday night. Hopefully, more news will come in regarding player statuses before the evening lock.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Bjorkstrand (DK $7.3K || FD $6.8K, Panarin (DK $7.5K || FD $7.7K), Kyrou (DK $5.4K || FD $6.3K), Guentzel (DK $6.2K || FD $7.8K), Tarasenko (DK $6.7K || FD $7.7K), Meier (DK $6.2K || FD $7.4K), Duchene (DK $5.9K || FD $6.9K), Schwartz (DK $3.9K || FD $5.0K), Raymond (DK $5.0K || FD $5.4K). There is a chance that Max Pacioretty could play on Wednesday. If not, he will over the weekend. Again, look to build value behind teams that have depth issue due to injuries and COVID.
NHL DFS Defensemen
Zach Whitecloud - DK $4.1K || FD $3.5K
Opponent - Nashville Predators
While the injuries and inconsistency are the order of the day, the biggest constant this season on defense has been change? That's right. Zach Whitecloud came back and no one noticed until it was too late. Well, Peter DeBoer keeps things way too close to the vest so sometimes one just has to read way too between the lines. Either way, Whitecloud came back with perfect timing, scored twice, and was quite the presence when Shea Theodore bumped his head. Whitecloud followed that effort up with four shots, three scoring chances, and a hit crossbar. He will keep playing well as the defenseman continues to ride the momentum and it helps that Whitecloud is 100% for the first time in almost a year.
Cale Makar - DK $7.4K || FD $7.1K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
Injuries had slowed down Cale Makar earlier in the season. That seems like a distant memory. He has seven goals and 14 points in his last ten games while blocking nearly a shot a game. Multiple two-goal efforts have vaulted Makar back into the top-five in Norris Trophy futures. Six power-play points over the last ten contests does not hurt either. It is as simple as Makar hitting the net. A healthy wrist and mind have been vital even with the injuries Colorado continues to experience. Yes, Adam Fox will be a vital cog against a less than healthy New York Islanders team but with uncertain line combinations, wait on rostering. As for Makar, it is all systems go.
Shayne Gostisbehere - DK $4.7K || FD $5.0K
Opponent - Edmonton Oilers
Give me every crazy dangerous play here. While Jakob Chychrun could have more upside, most will sleep on that shot potential of Shayne Gostisbehere. The "Ghost Bear" has nine points in his previous ten games. Sometimes his shot volume can be a bit erratic as even in this run, he has endured a few goose eggs. However, a puck-moving defender versus a tired Edmonton team has some halfway decent prospects. Some projections suggest Arizona, even Arizona could score 3 to 3.5 goals on Wednesday night. That deserves a wow! Hopefully the turkey does not hit us too hard here.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Bouchard (DK $5.4K || FD $4.4K), Josi (DK $8.0K || FD $7.2K), Weresnki (DK $7.2K || FD $6.2K), DeAngelo (DK $5.9K || FD $5.2K), Ferraro (DK $4.9K || FD $4,4K). Brent Burns is a reasonable $5,600 on FanDuel. Again watch out for pricing and yes COVID because more news will come out before lock (typically around 5:00 pm ET or so). There will be more defensive options on social media as line shifts come in before lock.
TOP Power Play Lines/Stacks for Wednesday
- EDM 1
- WSH 1 (they have to score, right?)
- FLA 1 (when the goals are bound to happen against the unrested)
- NYR 1 (Islanders may wear down late)
- NSH 1 or MIN 1
- PIT 1 (Always find a way to sneak players in against the Vancouver penalty kill).
- NJD 2 (Dawson Mercer)
- More and more options to come...
Chris’s Line Stacks of the Day
EDM: Draisaitl-McDavid-Bouchard (Cross the streams one more time)
MTL: Suzuki-Gallagher-Petry (EXTREME RISK)
Wacky Cracky Stack
VGK: Smith-Stephenson-Whitecloud
Less Obvious Stack
NJD: Mercer-Bratt-Sharangovich (maybe sneak Subban if Hamilton too expensive)
Sneaky Stack
SJS: Meier-Couture-Ferraro (Do it again against Ottawa)
See about Ottawa and Artem Zub along with possibly Tkachuk and Norris
Please keep in mind that there will be many shifts in lines with most teams especially early. Between COVID, some late injuries, and all sorts of load and travel management, it will be an insane Wednesday night before the turkey respite on Thursday. That is what makes it fun.
Oh and don't worry, we will have plenty more on Slack, social media, and yes MORE! Good luck out there.
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More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
