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 Wednesday, 19th, 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!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 4/19/23
The 2022-2023 National Hockey League regular season has come and gone. We had our fair share of surprise teams failing and succeeding, as well as, a few big trade splashes throughout the season. With the closure of the regular season, we welcome another run of postseason play and content. During the playoffs, it is much more common to find low-scoring and heavy-hitting games. Keep in mind that teams that showcase a high aptitude to score goals, will play much tighter and be a bit pickier with their shots. Tonight we have a 4-game slate with no teams playing on a back-to-back. The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Boston with 4.1, Edmonton with 4 and Carolina with 3.2. I will do my best to guide you through this four-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
Playoff Series Standings:
New York Islanders 0 at Carolina Hurricanes 1
Florida Panthers 0 at Boston Bruins 1
Minnesota Wild 1 at Dallas Stars 0
Los Angeles Kings 1 at Edmonton Oilers 0
Goalies
Filip Gustavsson-DK $7.4K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Tampa Bay Lightning
Gustavsson stood on his head in Game 1 of the series versus the Dallas Stars, making 51 saves out of 53 shots en route to a 3-2 win and a 0.962 Save Percentage. If not for Gustavsson, the Minnesota Wild would have not made it out of Dallas with a win. The netminder over the course of the regular season, posted a 23-9-7 record with a 2.07 Goals Against Average and a 0.932 Save Percentage. Keep in mind that Gustavsson is doing all of this in his first big season in the NHL after only starting 27 games in two seasons with the Senators. Both the Stars and the Wild play a grittier style of hockey in the playoffs and it at times can equate to less dangerous shot attempts which only boosts Gustavsson’s value higher. For under $7.5K on DraftKings, even if he loses tonight, he should still manage to hit the save bonus – 35+ saves in a game –.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Oettinger (DK $8K || FD $7.8K), Sorokin (DK $7.3K || FD $8K)
Centers
Pavel Zacha-DK $4.1K || FD $4.6K
Opponent - Florida Panthers
It is increasingly likely that Patrice Bergeron sits out Game 2, after not featuring in Game 1 due to an illness. If so that will leave Zacha in control of the first line for another game. The center/left-winger ran the top line for a few games to end the regular season and he showed he is more than capable, after all he was drafted sixth overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2015 draft for these very reasons. In Game 1, Zacha had 1 assist and zero shots. The only downside to his game is that he is not a strong shooter and he has more ‘off the puck’ dynamic than on. However, playing in-between Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk sets him up for a great spot at $4.1K on DraftKings.
Connor McDavid- DK $10.3K || FD $9.7K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
McDavid dominated the Kings in Game 1, however, it was not enough as the Oilers eventually fell in dramatic fashion 4-3 in overtime. The Oilers all season have heavily relied on the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to carry the team. Nothing changes in the playoffs either. McDavid is still the focal point of the team and he will be fed the puck as much as possible, providing him endless opportunities to produce. Over the season he had 64 goals, 89 assists and 153 points in 83 appearances, setting career highs in goals, assists and points respectively. In the Game 1 loss to the Kings, the center had 5 shots and 1 blocked shot and he should have had at least one goal if not for Joonas Korpisalo stopping McDavid on the doorstep. In a big Game 2 before traveling to Los Angeles, McDavid will be doing everything he can to get that win.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hintz (DK $6.6K || FD $7K), Lundell (DK $3.5K || FD $3.7)
Wings
Jamie Benn - DK $5.5K || FD $5.7K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
Benn thrives in the playoffs and anyone that has watched him over the years can attest to that. Furthermore, as stated earlier, the Stars and Wild play a gritty style of hockey already and add the postseason stakes to the mix and it all plays perfectly into Benn’s hands. After many ‘down’ years – the last four seasons he did not surpass 60 points – Benn produced his fifth-best year in his long tenure in the league with 33 goals, 45 assists and 78 points in 82 appearances. In Game 1, the winger assisted one goal and took 4 shots. Benn has developed excellent chemistry with center Wyatt Johnston, however, Benn may find himself on the top line tonight if teammate Joe Pavelski is ruled out after a crushing hit in Game 1. Either way, Benn is one of the first names that should be considered when looking at the Stars’ lineup and his potential ceiling is well worth the $5.5K salary on DraftKings.
Brad Marchand- DK $5.9K || FD $6.5K
Opponent - Florida Panthers
Similar to Jamie Benn – above –, Brad Marchand plays the same gritty style of hockey and the playoffs are where he thrives the most. Marchand does not shy away from big stakes and pressure, as well as throwing his body around and getting in the ‘rough’ areas. The only difference between his series versus Florida and Benn’s versus Minnesota is the open ice. Florida is not a gritty team and they possess a high-octane offense that thrives for goals. This creates a lot more open ice for Marchand to attack and with center Patrice Bergeron possibly out again tonight, Marchand will be the number-one producer on the top line. In his last five games of the regular season, he had 1 goal, 3 assists and 12 shots. In Game 1 on Monday, he had 1 goal and 4 shots.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tkachuk (DK $8.2K || FD $9.2K), Nugent-Hopkins (DK $6.9K || FD $7.8K)
Defense
Dmitry Orlov- DK $4.3K || FD $4.2K
Opponent - Florida Panthers
Orlov has been an angel sent from the hockey gods since his arrival to Boston. In 23 games with Boston in the regular season, Orlov has 4 goals, 13 assists, 47 shots and 23 blocked shots. In the opening game of the series versus Florida, the defenseman had 1 assist and 5 shots in a 3-1 win. Orlov has transcended the Bruins' defense into a threatening two-way blueline with his ability to play on both ends of the ice. Game 2 is expected to have more fireworks with Orlov at the forefront.
Evan Bouchard- DK $4.4K || FD $4.3K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
The more ice time Bouchard gets, the more confident he becomes in himself and his decision-making. Prior to taking over for ex-teammate Tyson Barrie and even after, Bouchard was afraid to take shots from the point, make certain passes or take pinches on the board. He has shown that his confidence has exploded and the stats are starting to back it up, as well as the natural eye test. The defenseman extended his goal streak – 3 games – by scoring his first playoff goal, giving the Oilers an early 2-0 win in what would be a devastating Game 1 loss to the Kings. Bouchard also had 2 shots and 3 blocked shots in the game. The Kings play a more rugged style of hockey and it will benefit Bouchard’s peripherals greatly. As long as he remains under $5K on DraftKings, he is hard to pass up.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Doughty (DK $4.5K || FD $4.8K), Suter (DK $3.2K || FD $3.9K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- EDM1
- DAL1
Brandon's Stack of the Day
- DAL: Benn-Johnston-Suter
Chalk Stack
- EDM: Nugent-Hopkins-McDavid-Bouchard
Sneaky Stack
- LA: Iafallo-Lizotte-Kaliyev
