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 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 on Friday, May, 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], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 5/19/23
The National Hockey League playoffs have yet to disappoint this season – depending on who your team is – as it flaunts its competitive parity with multiple upsets in the first round, notably Presidents’ Trophy winner Boston Bruins and reigning champions Colorado Avalanche.
During the playoffs, it is much more common to find low-scoring and heavy-hitting games. Keep in mind that teams who showcase a high aptitude to score goals will play much tighter and be a bit pickier with their shots. Tonight we commence the start of the Conference Finals with a warm welcome to PNC Arena where the Carolina Hurricanes will play host to the Florida Panthers for Game 1 and 2. I will do my best to guide you through this showdown slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 8:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk.
Playoff Series Standings
Dallas Stars at Vegas Golden Knights
NHL DFS Core Plays- Showdown Edition For 5/19/2023
Captain
Jason Robertson - DK $16.2K || FD $15K
Robertson has been less than ideal in the goal department in the postseason, netting just 2 goals thus far. Although, he has made up for it in assists where he has set up 10 goals. Furthermore, he also has 37 shots and 4 blocked shots with all of this done in 13 games. Edmonton dominated the top line matchup multiple games in Round 2 versus the Golden Knights but failed to convert on their chances. Dallas has a similar top line, if not more potent and should see a similar outcome or better in the Western Conference Finals dance with the Golden Knights. Can this be the series where Robertson finally starts lighting up the net?
Jack Eichel - DK $13.8K || FD $14K
It is Eichel or nothing. The centerman was a big contributor on and off the puck in the big upset win against Edmonton in Round 2. In 7 games, he had 3 goals, 6 assists, 22 shots and 6 blocked shots and covering all 11 games so far, he has 6 goals, 8 assists, 39 shots and 15 blocked shots. Through all offensive lines with at least TOI, the line of Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault is in the top 25 in playoffs with a 63.9 Percent Expected Goals Percentage. Dallas averaged 2 or more goals against per game in the Seattle series and Vegas should see a similar success rate.
Alex Pietrangelo - DK $11.7K || FD $11.5K
Pietrangelo has been a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. In 10 games in the playoffs, he has 7 assists, 18 shots and 30 blocked shots. His peripherals are incredible, yet unsurprising with the offenses he played in Rounds 1 and 2. Dallas is yet another team with a strong offense and Pietrangelo will be relied on once more to plug shooting lanes while taking his fair share of shots at even strength and on the power-play.
Value Plays
Wyatt Johnston - DK $6.6K || FD $10K
The 2021 23rd overall pick has had an outstanding rookie season while playing a bulk of it on the third line. In 82 games, he had 24 goals, 17 assists and 160 shots. Furthermore, in 13 playoff games, he has 4 goals, 2 assists, 34 shots and 10 blocked shots with his most notable goal securing Dallas’s trip to the Western Conference Finals in Game 7 versus Seattle. Johnston has become a sneaky ‘x-factor’ for Dallas, producing in all scenarios and against an inconsistent Vegas bottom six, this is an ideal spot for the rookie center to continue his production.
Ivan Barbashev - DK $4.2K || FD $8K
Barbashev is nothing short of a miracle for Vegas. The center/winger had his second-best season where he amassed 16 goals, 29 assists and 126 shots in 82 games. In the playoffs, he has yet to be a difference-maker with just 4 goals, 5 assists, 19 shots and 5 blocked shots through 11 games. Not only is he staying off the score sheet, but he is also producing very little in terms of shot output. Despite the lack of production, he is still slotted on the top line and seeing time on the second power-play unit. Until he is moved down the lineup, Barbashev is always worth the shot.
Chandler Stephenson - DK $6.4K || FD $9K
Some may find Stephenson’s salary a little rich for their blood when considering he is centering the third line for the Golden Knights, however, he has proven that he is much more than a bottom six role player. Stephenson has played all over the lineup for more than one team, showcasing his versatility and in 11 games during the postseason, he has 6 goals, 4 assists, 16 shots and 6 blocked shots. The third line for Dallas is much more offensively driven, leaving plenty of opportunities for a player like Stephenson to jump on.
Brandon's Stacks
- DAL1: Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
- VGK1: Barbashev-Eichel-Marchessault
- DAL3: Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
- VGK3: Howden-Stephenson-Stone
