Key Skaters
W Jake Guentzel (PIT)
- Guentzel has recorded points in five straight games (2 goals, 7 assists) giving him 49 points now in 42 games. The Penguins’ opponent on Thursday, the Senators have the seventh-highest expected goal scored against rate per 60 at 5v5. Furthermore, Ottawa allows the third-most scoring chances per 60 at 5v5 and the eighth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 at 5v5.
C Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS)
- The Canadiens are a team in shambles right now and are under the leadership of Martin St. Louis taking on quite a disaster in his first head coaching position. Washington will be without Alex Ovechkin due to Canada’s COVID protocols so Kuzy will be looked upon to step up offensively. With a goal in three straight games, a great matchup, and a favorable salary ($6,500), Kuznetsov is one of my favorite plays on the slate.
W Patrik Laine (CBJ)
- Since January 30th no one has been hotter than Laine. Over that stretch, Columbus has played three games and Laine has two goals in each contest. The sniper has had an up and down journey since the end of his tenure in Winnipeg where he had three stellar seasons with 36, 44, and 30 goals between 2016 and 2019. This is a matchup where Laine could keep his hot streak alive and priced at just $4,500, he’s a great bargain.
Favorite Line Stacks
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel
- They should be chalky but the matchup fits and the correlation at even strength and on the power-play provides a lot of upside. The Penguins’ top trio may be pricey but their performance of late (Rust has five goals in his last three games and Crosby has points in each of his last four games) speaks for itself. In a matchup such as this one I find it hard to fathom that the production is lacking.
Calgary Flames
Elias Lindholm, Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk
- Perhaps the line with the best chemistry this season alone is the top unit for the Flames. They have one of the best Corsi-for marks in the league and one of the highest expected-goal rate per 60. In a game that should see a lot of back and forth chances, I’ll lean with the Flames who should be overlooked on this slate.
Also consider:
St. Louis Blues
Ryan O’Reilly, Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko, Torey Krug
Boston Bruins
Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Taylor Hall, Charlie McAvoy
Columbus Blue Jackets
Boone Jenner, Patrik Laine, Gustav Nyquist (V)
Calgary Flames
Mikael Backlund, Andrew Mangiapane, Blake Coleman (V)
(V) indicates value line
Top Positional Skaters
*Not mentioned in “key skaters'” section. Last skater at each position is my favorite value
Center
- Auston Matthews (TOR)
- Sidney Crosby (PIT)
- Elias Lindholm (CGY)
- Ryan O’Reilly (STL)
- Boone Jenner (CBJ)
- Nicklas Backstrom (WAS)
Wing
- Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)
- David Pastrnak (BOS)
- Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)
- Steven Stamkos (TB)
- Brady Tkachuk (OTT)
- David Perron (STL)
- Andrew Mangiapane (CGY)
- Daniel Sprong (WAS)
Defense
- John Carlson (WAS)
- Kris Letang (PIT)
- Victor Hedman (TB)
- Torey Krug (STL)
- Rasmus Andersson (CGY)
- Jaccob Slavin (CAR)
- Samuel Girard (COL)
Goalies
- Jordan Binnington (STL)
- Tristan Jarry (PIT)
- Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ)
- Ilya Samsonov (WAS)
NOTE: All pricing references pertain to DraftKings
GOOD LUCK!!