It’s Opening Night!!

The NHL is back at last and I couldn’t be more excited to get the season going. Opening Night features two games leading us into what promises to be an exciting NHL season. Below you’ll find a cheat sheet including my favorite skaters, line stacks, and goalies to consider in DFS as well as some prop bets to look into. Let’s drop the puck on the 2022-23 season!

Key Skaters

C Anze Kopitar (LAK)

I’ve been a Kopitar guy for years now and for good reason. He’s been one of the better two-way centers of our generation and even in the twilight of his career, he’s still a force on both ends of the ice. At just $5,500, Kopitar will center the top line, find his way on the top power-play unit, and see around 20 minutes of ice time against a team that had plenty of trouble defensively last season, specifically against centers.

W Artemi Panarin (NYR)

Speaking of underpriced, Rangers’ second-line winger Artemi Panarin fits that category at just $5,800. The Breadman is coming off a career-high 96 points but he’ll be looking to redeem himself after having just five points in the Eastern Conference Finals against Tampa last season. He’llbe the primary scoring option on New York’s second line and play on the left wing on the power-play where he’ll also be a focal point from the circle. Panarin had 32 points with the man advantage last season.

Favorite Line Stacks

New York Rangers

Mika Zibanajad, Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Adam Fox

• Zibanajad, Kreider, and Fox find themselves skating on the top power-play unit once again this season. Zib and Kreids also skate together at even strength and were a force last season, specifically Kreider who had 52 goals, 26 of which came on the power-play. Kakko finds himself with a great opportunity skating on the top line at a value of just $3,000.

Los Angeles Kings

Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, Drew Doughy

• I spoke about Kopitar earlier and everything he brings to the ice. Newcomer Kevin Fiala should be a welcomed jolt of offense coming off a career-high 33 goals last season. He’ll skate on the top line and top power-play with Kopitar as well as Adria

Goalies

Igor Shesterkin (NYR)

• Coming off of a Vezina-winning campaign, Igor shapes up for what should be another dominant season. From December 31st to June 3rd last season Igor won five straight games against Tampa (including playoffs) allowing two goals or less in four of those wins. He’ll look to avenge the Rangers’ Eastern Conference Final loss to the Lightning last season with an Opening Night win.

Jonathan Quick (LA)

• Quick should be busy in net but in a home game with the Golden Knights coming in a much lesser team than last season with the departure of some key players, look for Quick and the Kings to keep the pace controlled in a home environment.

Prop Bets

Check NHL Channel in Discord for any late additions.

• Kevin Fiala 4+ shots on goal (+120)
• Brayden Point 4+ shots on goal (+275)

All pricing references pertain to DraftKings

GOOD LUCK!!