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)
Shea Theodore or Alec Martinez (VGK)
Brent Burns (SJ)
Rickard Rakell (ANH) *unless you’re playing VGK goalie
Center
Connor McDavid (EDM) – Leads the league in scoring, ranks 4th in scoring chances, and going up against an Ottawa team that ranks 30th in expected goals against per 60. Didn’t hit last night but still love him in this spot.
Sasha Barkov (FLA) – His shooting floor has been higher in the early going and he has played at least 20 minutes in every single game. Detroit does play slow, which I don’t like, but they still give up a lot of goals because, well, they’re terrible.
Elias Lindholm (CGY) – The Jets rank 26th in xGA/60. They’re a bad defensive team. I think Lindholm, who is averaging over a point per game (and 21 minutes), is as likely as anyone to take advantage. He hasn’t popped for a big ceiling game yet but his floor is rock solid. 8+ DK points in nine of last 10.
Logan Couture (SJ) – LA ranks bottom-5 in chances against/60 and xGA/60 and they have poor goaltending. Couture plays a lot on a top-heavy Sharks team and will have every opportunity to capitalize on this plus matchup.
Colin White (OTT) – One of the NHL’s leaders in chances and expected goals per minute. He put up a stinker last night but the matchup is still good.
Derek Grant (ANH) – This is the definition of a plug and play. Averages just under 3 peripherals per game for the Ducks. Is a willing shot blocker and going up against a team that shoots from anywhere and everywhere.
Wing
Max Pacioretty (VGK) – He is one of the best volume shooters, and scorers, in the NHL and has a plus matchup against a Ducks team that bleeds chances. The two things keeping me from considering him an auto lock: 1) John Gibson and; 2) Minutes. At times he plays 14-15, which is scary when paying such a high price.
Patrick Kane (CHI) – While Dallas is a stout defensive team that tends to play low-event hockey, it might not matter for Kane. He has a high shooting floor and is playing absurd minutes right now, with 23 being the low over the last few games.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM) – Like most Oilers, he disappointed us last night. I have no problem going right back to him, though, as he is 3rd in the NHL in scoring chances and is going up against a team that allows them in bulk. He also gets to shoot on Marcus Hogberg, who has been one of the NHL’s worst netminders in the early going.
Andrew Copp (WPG) – Quietly ranks 18th in the NHL in scoring chances. He is generating a ton of opportunities for himself and he was recently moved up to the top line, where he is seeing 20+ minutes a night.
Rickard Rakell (ANH) – Is off to a quiet start offensively (four points in 13 games) but to no fault of his own. He has 43 shots on goal and ranks 17th in scoring chances. The problem? He is scoring on 2% of his shots. 2%! He is a career 11.5% shooter so I’d bet on him snapping out of this funk sooner than later so long as the chances continue to be there. Nice buy low spot.
Blake Coleman (TB) – Again, Coleman is not a sexy pick you think of when it comes to the high-flying Lightning. He leads the team in 5v5 chances, though, and is dirt cheap.
Ryan Donato (SJ) – He has been a very efficient shot generator for years. Opportunity has always been the question. If he is in the top-6, you can play him; especially in such an enticing matchup.
Defense
Shea Theodore (VGK) – Theodore ranks 3rd in 5v5 chances and the only two guys ahead of him have played more games. He shoots a ton, plays a ton, and QBs a very good PP. You probably need some Vegas exposure tonight and, because of the minutes he plays, Theodore is my preferred choice.
Brent Burns (SJ) – Burns is averaging 4.5 peripherals per game and playing insane minutes. I really like him tonight vs LA, especially if Jonathan Quick starts.
Roman Josi (NSH) – Tampa Bay is not the ideal team to pay up against because of how dominant they are, however, Josi’s peripherals offer him such a strong floor/ceiling. He put up 12+ on DK last night without finding the scoresheet.
Alec Martinez (VGK) – This guy is a walking shot block bonus and he offers some offensive upside because of how many minutes he plays for such a potent attack. If you’re not paying up for Theodore, Martinez is a nice consolation.
Calvin de Haan (CHI) – You’re not going to get much offense from CDH. He ranks 11th among defenders in 5v5 attempts, though, and has 3BS potential. I would love him if he was just a little cheaper but he is still very much in play.
Mario Ferraro (SJ) – One player priced between 4-4.9K on DK averages more points per game. One. Ferraro is averaging nearly 4 SOG+BS, plays 22+minutes a night, and has a very good matchup.
Evan Bouchard (EDM) – He is quickly becoming one of my favorite punts. Has given us 4 peripherals per game while playing an average of 15 minutes. I really like his skillset and think he will play himself into more ice sooner than later. I also love the matchup.
Dante Fabbro (NSH) – I have played a lot of Fabbro this year and, given his price, I have no reason to stop. He brings a solid floor to the table and plays some PP2, giving him point upside. Like him more of Ekholm is out again but a very strong punt regardless.
Goalie
Marc-Andre Fleury/Robin Lehner (VGK) – Probably the best bet on the slate to win and allow two or fewer. Anaheim’s offense, for the most part, is lifeless.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB) – Nashville ranks 8th in attempts/60 but 26th in xG/60. Put another way, they generate a lot of shots but not necessarily ones of quality. That’s good for opposing goaltenders.
Jacob Markstrom (CGY) – He sits 5th among starting goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Average, per NaturalStatTrick.com, and is a -130 home favorite. If you’re not playing Jets, you can definitely go here.
Martin Jones (SJ) – This is a little gross but I think the Sharks have a strong chance of winning tonight – you’d know that if you subscribed to EliteSportsBetting’s NHL package *wink wink* – and LA’s offense doesn’t bring a lot of blow-up potential.
As always, hit me up on Twitter if you have any questions about the slate.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
