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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have another action-packed Saturday slate.
In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.
If you have questions about further strategy and managing the slate, please chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).
Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Dallas Stars L1 - Jason Robertson ($7.9K/$7.8K) - Roope Hintz ($7.1K/$7.1K) - Logan Stankoven ($4.9K/$5.5K)
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
The Dallas Stars have the best matchup on paper this evening, facing the San Jose Sharks, who have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during five-on-five play, according to MoneyPuck. They have allowed 12 goals over their previous three games. This line has generated 48.7 percent xGoals with a strong 2.79 xGoals Per 60.
Over his previous six games entering Friday, Jason Robertson has tallied eight points (four goals, four helpers) while averaging three shots on goal per game. Roope Hintz has posted two three-point showings over his past four games.
Jason Robertson - Dallas Stars (18)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/joGCO5Ho2e— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) February 1, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets L1 - Dmitri Voronkov ($6.3K/$6.7K) - Adam Fantilli ($6.6K/$6.2K) - Kent Johnson ($5K/$6.4K)
Opponent- New York Rangers
The Columbus Blue Jackets will be playing host to the New York Rangers, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play. Over their previous three games entering Friday, the Rangers have allowed 14 goals over their past four games.
Even without star wing Kirill Marchenko (jaw), this top unit has been quite productive. Over its first 25 minutes of shared ice time, this new top line has generated an impressive 63.2 percent xGoals with a stellar 4.55 xGoals Per 60.
Right wing Kent Johnson has tallied seven points (three goals) over his past seven games, while center Adam Fantilli has tallied eight points (four goals) over his last eight.
Los Angeles Kings L3 - Kevin Fiala ($6.1K/$6.9K) - Quinton Byfield ($5.9K/$5.7K) - Alex Laferriere ($4.3K/$5.8K)
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
I wrote about this unit in Friday's piece, but I am willing to take another flier on it, given its elite metrics. Last night, it faced a tougher Dallas defense but has a much more favorable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60. This line has generated an elite 70.5 percent xGoals with a strong 3.08 xGoals Per 60.
Kevin Fiala dazzles through the zone before finding the back of the net 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TK5QFFJ1Ck
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 2, 2025
Before Friday, left wing Kevin Fiala found the back of the net twice in each of his previous two contests. During this same stretch, center Quinton Byfield tallied an impressive five helpers, while right wing Alex Laferriere tallied a helper with five shots on goal per game.
New York Rangers L1 - Artemi Panarin ($7.7K/$8.1K) - J.T. Miller ($6.2K/$7.4K) - Mika Zibanejad ($6.7K/$6.8K)
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
My final line has also enjoyed recent success. With J.T. Miller back in New York, its top line has significantly improved. Across its first 40 minutes of shared ice time, this unit has generated an excellent 64.7 percent xGoals with a 3.67 xGoals Per 60.
Entering Friday's contest, Artemi Panarin tallied 10 points (four goals) over his previous eight contests. Four of his points came on the power play. Mika Zibanejad tallied six points over his previous three games entering Friday, while J.T. Miller tallied four points over this same stretch.
Facing the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck, should provide this line elite scoring opportunities all evening. The Rangers have also been elite while on the man advantage, generating the fourth-most Expected Goals Per 60, according to MoneyPuck.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- TOR L1
- FLA L1
- NSH L1
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— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers ($4.9K/$5.8K)
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
Aaron Ekblad has enjoyed an offensive surge since returning from an upper-body injury. Over his previous seven games, Ekblad has tallied six points (one goal, five helpers) with 17 shots on goal. During this stretch, he has added 16 hits and seven blocks.
Serving as the QB1 of the Florida power play, he should have high-scoring chances against the Ottawa Senators, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against while short-handed, according to MoneyPuck. Ekblad has tallied two power-play helpers over his past seven games.
Jordan Spence - Los Angeles Kings ($4.2K/$4.4K)
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
While Jordan Spence is in the midst of a scoring slump, he should be primed to bounce back this evening, facing the Anaheim Ducks. Entering Friday, the 23-year-old has not tallied a point in each of his last four. During this stretch, he has blocked just one shot per game and added three total hits.
Before this slump, Spence tallied four points (one goal, three helpers) over his last five. During this stretch, he tallied seven shots and seven hits.
During five-on-five play, Spence and linemate Jacob Moverare have generated a strong 64.8 percent xGoals with a solid 2.85 xGoals Per 60. He also served as the QB1 of the power play, which should have prime scoring chances against the Ducks, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed.
Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars ($6.5K/$5.8K)
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
My final defenseman to target is a great stack with the top forward line in Dallas. Thomas Harley has replaced Miro Heiskanen (knee) on the top pairing and top power-play unit.
Over his previous three games, Harley has tallied three points (all helpers) with a +4 rating. One of these came on the power play. The 23-year-old has also added three hits, four shots on goal, and four blocked shots.
Facing a weak defensive team like the Sharks should provide Harley with an excellent opportunity to stay hot in the scoring department.
Power play goal for Dallas!
Scored by Wyatt Johnston with 04:11 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Thomas Harley and Jason Robertson.
Dallas: 3
Columbus: 3#CBJvsDAL #TexasHockey #CBJ pic.twitter.com/KaWQSIWrcY— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 3, 2025
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Adam Fox - New York Rangers ($5.8K/$6.3K)
- Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets ($7.3K/$7.4K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Jordan Binnington - Dallas Stars ($8.3K/$7.6K)
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Jordan Binnington has held a modest 1-2-1 record over his past four games but should be viewed as a top target facing the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be traveling to St. Louis in the second half of a back-to-back.
According to MoneyPuck, the Blackhawks have generated the second-fewest Expected Goals Per during five-on-five play and the sixth-fewest while on the power play. Even though Binnington's recent performances (.911 percent SV, 2.61 GAA over his past four games) are not overly impressive, he should be put in a great position to bounce back when facing a weak Chicago offense.
Dustin Wolf - Calgary Flames ($7.9K/$7.7K)
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
After winning seven of his past nine games, Dustin Wolf has taken a step back over the past week. Wolf has held a poor 3.80 GAA in his past three starts with a .874 percent SV. During his impressive nine-game stretch before this slump, he carried a .925 percent SV with a 2.23 GAA.
However, similar to Jordan Binnington, bet on a bounce-back for Wolf. Wolf and the Flames will be playing host to the Seattle Kraken, who have generated the fourth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during five-on-five play. They have also scored just two or fewer goals in two of their previous three games.
Wolf has also performed much better when on home ice. The 23-year-old has held a strong .927 percent SV with a 2.25 GAA at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Facing a weak offensive attack on his home ice, Wolf is primed to return to form.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Joseph Woll - Toronto Maple Leafs ($7.9K/$8K)
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