NHL DFS Playbook: January 14

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Today's three-game NHL DFS slate is highlighted by Nathan MacKinnon who is due for another big night. Also don't miss out on some of the great value plays available on the wing today with Nicolas Tube-Kubel of the Avalanche facing the Coyotes. As always don't forget you can use the lineup generator to help put your lineup together as well.

Stars at Panthers

The Stars’ top line has really come alive in the last week. Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, have two goals or more each, and Pavelski has seven points in that stretch, while Robertson has six, and Hintz four. They will likely see a lot of the Barkov line tonight, but they will make for a strong contrarian play. The Panthers forwards continue to score by committee. Aleksander Barkov is typically the strongest play as he typically shoots the most, but we are seeing scoring from the top two lines from the Panthers right now with Jonathan Huberdeau, Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhague all being usable. With how the matchups will likely playout for the Panthers, I would look more at their second line tonight of Bennett, Huberdeau and Duclair. 

On Defence, we have seen strong play from Miro Heiskanen who has three points, and Esa Lindell has blocked three shots or more in two of his last three games, while John Klingberg continues to get the time on the top powerplay. Aaron Ekblad is the most obvious play for the Panthers. He is coming off of his second three-point game in his last three games and his second five-block game in his last four games. We have seen solid outputs from Mackenzie Weegar and Gustav Forsling recently as well so keep them in mind if you’re looking for cheaper defencemen.

Oettinger is expected to get the start for the Stars, he has won four straight games, including wins against the Penguins and the Wild, but he will be in tough against a Panthers team that scores almost four goals per game on average. Much like the Stars top line, Oettinger is a contrarian play. Bobrovsky has been a surprisingly strong play for the Panthers. He has seen high shot volume and has performed well which has made him a fantastic DFS play.

Ducks at Wild

Scoring has really dried up for the Ducks recently. Over their last six games they have averaged just two goals scored per game. Over the last week, Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Sonny Milano, and Rickard Rakell all have two points in three games, with Terry and Zegras both scoring goals. Terry will be out tonight so if you’re going to use the Ducks, I would look to Zegras and Rakell. The Wild are going to be a little more difficult to predict as they have played just once in the last week. Based on line combinations as past history we will want to look at Kirill Kaprizov and/or Ryan Hartman or Mats Zuccarello. Additionally, at a lower cost and ownership, we can look at Kevin Fiala and Matt Boldy.

We have not seen any production of note from any of the Ducks’ defence in the last week, and I would look to avoid them today. Look for Calen Addison on the Wild as he will have the top powerplay. Matthew Dumba is also worth a look as he will take shots and block shots as well. 

Anthony Stolarz will get the start in goal for the Ducks tonight. Stolarz has played well this season, and has stopped 92 percent of the shots he has faced in five of his last six starts. Kaapo Kahkonen is expected to start for the Wild. Kahkonen has played well for the Wild since Talbot’s injury. With Anaheim’s struggles to score and this game being at home, Kahkonen is a strong play.

Coyotes at Avalanche

For the Coyotes, you can look at Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse. Both have seven shots or more in their last two games. We all know about Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen who are both going to see a lot of ownership, but due to their prices are rarely paired together. You can also look at Nazem Kadri who has been racking up points, and you can pair him with a cheap Nicolas Aube-Kubel who has been a pleasant surprise over his last three games as well. 

On defence, you are can look for Shayne Gostisbehere. He is on the top powerplay and is the most likely to get points. Jacob Chychrun has the highest upside because he will shoot and block shots, but the points haven’t been there for him this season. Cale Makar is going to be a solid target. He has six points in his last three games and is capable of having a big night just about any night, and facing the Coyotes only enhances that. Devon Toews has also been playing well he has two goals and nine shots in his last three games.

Karel Vejmelka has become a real wildcard. He is coming off a 45 save win against Toronto earlier in the week, which was his second 45 save performance in his last four starts. Pavel Francouz has won two of his three starts, and while his performances haven’t been great, he is likely to get the win. 

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