Todd Cordell has you covered for tonight’s NHL DFS cash game lineups.
As always, I should note these plays are sorted by price and not preference.
Feel free to hit me up on Twitter (@ToddCordell) if you have questions about any of the players you’re considering or don’t see mentioned.
Core Four
- Connor McDavid (EDM)
- Brady Tkachuk (OTT)
- Blake Coleman (TB)
- Mackenzie Blackwood (NJ)
Center
Connor McDavid (EDM) – Vancouver ranks dead last in Expected Goals Against/60, has spent more time shorthanded than every team in the league, and both of their netminders have save percentages below expected. I’m thinking McDavid, who is averaging ~2 points and 4 SOG per game, will be able to make some noise in this one.
Sasha Barkov (FLA) – I don’t love the matchup – even after a couple off games, Dallas still rates very well defensively – but Barkov has recorded at least three shots in six of his last seven and is a chance generating machine this season. He also won’t have to deal with Anton Khudobin this time out.
Elias Lindholm (CGY) – Has logged at least 20 minutes in nine of the last 10 and has a juicy matchup against an Ottawa team that ranks 29th in xGA/60 this season. Even in a B2B, he should play enough to provide a stable floor.
Bo Horvat (VAN) – Horvat ranks 8th in the NHL in scoring chances and should go toe-to-toe with Connor McDavid for much of the night. Generally speaking, that leads to a lot of chances both ways. It also should result in a lot of ice time.
Colin White (OTT) – Has only scored twice this season but his line has been dominant at 5v5 and he continues to generate high-quality chances. I like him in this spot against a Flames team playing its 6th game in nine days.
Nico Hischier (NJ) – He is still shaking off the rust returning from an injury, and COVID, but I’m willing to bet on a ~5K+ caliber player priced in the low 3s. He is playing top-6 at ES and on the PP. The points will come.
Brandon Sutter (VAN) – If you really need to punt, I have time for Sutter. He averages ~3 SOG+BS per game and should see 14-15 minutes in a high-event matchup.
Pierre-Luc Dubois (WPG) – The talented forward remains way underpriced, especially considering he is expected to skate on L1 with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler once again.
Wing
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) – He is averaging more than seven shot attempts per game. Those shots will come against a struggling goaltender (Tristan Jarry) who ranks near the bottom of the league in goals allowed above expected.
Patrick Kane (CHI) – Kane ranks 3rd in the NHL in shot attempts, averages more than two points per game at home, and has a juicy matchup against a Columbus team that’s been picked apart at 5v5 all season long.
Filip Forsberg (NSH) – He leads the Predators – by a lot – in expected goals this season. Their offense is built around him shooting the puck. He’s also already dinged up Detroit for 15+ DK points three times this season.
Brady Tkachuk (OTT) – Tkachuk leads the NHL in high-danger chances by 15. 15! While no player has a worse net in expected goals minus actual goals, he still provides a rock solid floor.
Nino Niederreiter (CAR) – Has seven points in his last 10 games and ranks 5th in Grade A chances this season. He is playing excellent hockey right now. What works in his favor big time is that Andrei Vasilevskiy, the league’s leader in Goals Saved Above Expected, is getting a night off.
Denis Gurianov (DAL) – Sergei Bobrovsky is completely washed. He’s been one of the worst goalies in the league for a couple of years now. We can target him each time out, and the Stars’ leader in scoring chance generator seems like the perfect way to do it.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (CBJ) – Bjorkstrand is an ultra efficient 5v5 producer now seeing top line minutes. Not only that but he sees PP time and, tonight, will avoid Kevin Lankinen.
Blake Coleman (TB) – Did you know that Coleman leads the Lightning in 5v5 shots and chances? Yes, you did because I remind you all seemingly every day. He is a great way to get a piece of the NHL’s best team. I’d consider him a lock if he remains on L1.
Nick Foligno (CBJ) – Centering Laine and Bjorkstrand on L1 and seeing PP1 time. That’d be enticing at this price point against anybody, let alone Malcolm Subban.
Nick Paul (OTT) – Averaging more than 3 peripherals per game and has logged at least 17 minutes in five straight. He’s part of OTT2, which has been surprisingly dominant.
Defense
Roman Josi (NSH) – Josi leads all blueliners in shot attempts and ranks 2nd in chances. He’s always up in the play and he’s taking on an insane workload on a Nashville team that isn’t getting much offensively from most of the lineup. Even in a low-pace matchup vs Detroit, he is one of the better plays on the slate.
Seth Jones (CBJ) – He has really heated up after a slow start, picking up 10 points and ~40 peripherals over the last 10. Is playing a ton of minutes and gets you exposure to the big guns on the PP.
Tyson Barrie (EDM) – Vancouver leads the league in time spent killing penalties. Barrie QBs an elite PP1 and should have plenty of opportunities to do so. He has a solid floor and the ceiling is high in this one.
Thomas Chabot (OTT) – He is averaging 27 minutes over the last 10. 27 minutes! He is ultra talented and, with a role like that, is simply too cheap.
P.K. Subban (NJ) – I don’t think he is very good at this point in his career but he has a strong peripheral floor and continues to play a lot on special teams.
Derek Forbort (WPG) – His value comes from peripherals, and I think he has a good chance of putting up plenty of them tonight. Montreal leads the league in attempts/60 and will likely come out on fire in their first game under a new head coach. There will be plenty of opportunity for Forbort to pile up the blocks.
Calvin de Haan (CHI) – On a per minute basis, very few defenders match him in attempts + blocks. I like him at this price point; he’d be a lock if he regularly played ~20 minutes.
Also consider: Scott Mayfield, Colin Miller, Gabriel Carlsson.
Goalie
Pekka Rinne (NSH) – I think Rinne is a below average starter at this point in his career, however, he still has a very real chance of winning and allowing two or less.
Semyon Varlamov (NYI) – Varlamov has been lights out this season and Boston is really banged up right now. I think the Isles can prevent a ceiling game from BOS1, and I don’t like the odds of their depth doing much damage.
Jake Oettinger (DAL) – Dallas ranks 6th in xGA/60 and Oettinger has played at above average level this season. I think he is too cheap given his chances of winning and keeping Florida to a low number.
Mackenzie Blackwood (NJ) – Leads the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected since the Devils changed coaches early last season and Buffalo’s offense is struggling. I love Blackwood tonight.
As always, hit me up on Twitter if you have any questions about the slate.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
