RADIO
Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for Tennis and Soccer respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season which means it's time to sharpen our MLB skills and partake in NHL DFS! 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 Saturday, 25th, 2023 at 7:00 PM EST. 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 @df_solutions or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 3/25/23
The trade market has officially come and gone and teams are gearing up for a tough stretch of very meaningful games and playoffs in hopes of a date with Lord Stanley. Tonight we have a 7-game slate with two teams playing on a back-to-back, New Jersey and Columbus. The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Dallas with 3.9, Edmonton with 3.8 and New Jersey with 3.8. I will do my best in guiding you through this seven-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk
Goalies
Sam Montembeault DK $8.1K || FD $6.7K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
I never thought I would see the day when I would willingly highlight a Montreal Canadien goalie. However, in desperate times, we cave to desperate measures. The Canadiens are the furthest thing from an improved defense, however, Montembeault is by far one of the best goalies on the slate when assessing individual talent – out of all goalies that have played in 5 or more games this season, he is the ninth-best in Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60, 0.419 –. That shows how much he has played on his head this season to keep Montreal in games they did not deserve to be in. Nevertheless, Columbus lost one of the best players in Patrik Laine to a triceps injury that might have him out for the last three weeks of the regular season. This is a significant blow to the offense and a big boost for Montembeault. This matchup should see plenty of chances on both ends of the ice and it is expected that Montembeault will win the goalie duel.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Vanecek (DK $8.4K || FD $8.6K), DeSmith (DK $7.8K || FD $7.6K)
Centers
Nick Suzuki-DK $4.9K || FD $5.9K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Suzuki is finally reaching form now that the team is starting to become healthier. Through his last five appearances, he has 1 goal, 5 assists, 11 shots, and 4 blocked shots. The Blue Jackets over their last ten games are the worst in Shots Against Per 60 – 36.54, Scoring Chances Against Per 60 – 38.07 – and High Danger Chances Against Per 60 – 16.21, as well as, the third-worst in Goals Against Per 60 – 4.58. Furthermore, in their last 5 away games, they are being outscored 20 to 29. This is by far the most viable matchup on the slate and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Suzuki blowup.
Nico Hischier- DK $6.6K || FD $7.2K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
Hishcier is in a similar spot to Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens. The Senators have terrible splits – outscored 9 to 19 in their last 5 away games. In Hischier’s last five outings, he has 2 goals, 5 assists, 17 shots, and 2 blocked shots. With many viable options at center tonight and the Devils playing last night, Hischier could be much lower-owned than typical.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Crosby (DK $7.1K || FD $8.2K), Aho (DK $6.4K || FD $6.9K)
Wings
Frank Vatrano- DK $4.8K || FD $5.7K
Opponent - St Louis Blues
Vatrano has instantly turned on the jets and it is no surprise as to why. The winger has been elevated from the bottom six to the top line with Trevor Zegras. In the two games since the move, Vatrano has 2 goals, 7 shots, and 3 blocked shots. Unfortunately, his salary has risen much quicker than typical though. The Blues are looking sharper as of late, but that is due to the goalie change – Joel Hofer has taken starter responsibilities over Jordan Binnington. Although, Binnington is expected to start tonight and in his last five games he has conceded 20 Goals Against. For under $5K on DraftKings and a solid floor via shot volume alone, this is a prime value spot tonight.
Bryan Rust- DK $4.5K || FD $5K
Opponent - Washington Capitals
Another player that has benefited from a lineup shuffle is Bryan Rust. The winger has seen each line for the Penguins over the last several years and he once again finds himself on the top line with teammate Sidney Crosby. In the two games after his promotion, he has 1 goal, 1 assist, and 8 shots. Even with John Carlson back for Washington, their defense looked suspect at best during certain points of their dominating win over Chicago. Similar to Vatrano, as long as Rust is in this salary range and producing the shot volume in a viable spot, it is a ‘no-brainer’, especially when Washington has conceded 18 Goals Against in their last five away games.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hyman (DK $6.9K || FD $8.1K), Harvey-Pinard (DK $4.9K || FD $5.3K)
Defense
Mike Matheson- DK $5.1K || FD $5.9K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Matheson continues to carry the Canadiens along with a select few others. The defenseman in his last five games, has 2 goals, 3 assists, 18 shots, and 11 blocked shots. Production like this typically sees the $6K+ salary range on DraftKings. The Blue Jackets are playing the second half of their back-to-back tonight and Elvis Merzlikins is expected to return to the net. In a fast-paced high-event matchup, Matheson will have ample opportunities to produce tonight.
Pierre-Oliver Joseph- DK $3.1K || FD $3.8K
Opponent - Washington Capitals
PO Joseph is going to be a game-time decision play depending on how early news comes out. Jeff Petry sat out again in Wednesday’s loss to the Stars and he is questionable for tonight’s rivalry meeting with the Capitals. If he does not suit up, Joseph will stay in the lineup. Through Joseph’s previous five games, he has 1 goal, 2 assists, 10 shots, and 5 blocked shots. You can’t beat this value tonight.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Sanderson (DK 4.2K || FD $4.6K), Bouchard (DK $3.5K || FD $4.4K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- MON1
- PIT1
- EDM1
Brandon's Stack of the Day
- MTL: Harvey-Pinard-Suzuki-Dach
Chalk Stack
- STL: Vrana-Thomas-Kyrou
Sneaky Stack
- PIT: Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell
