When there are only three or four games, we will not put out the full DFS Playbook, but will do optimal lineups along with a breakdown of the slate. Tonight, we have the typical Monday Night slate with four games to consider. 

First off, a disclaimer. I highly recommend focusing on just GPPs on the shorter slate. I think there’s enough skill to play cash games, but there’s going to be way more variance than usual. 

Ottawa Senators @ Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT -231 favorites) - 7:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies:  Craig Anderson (OTT) [Confirmed] vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) [Confirmed]

Top Plays: Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Mike Hoffman

Top Values: David Pastrnak, Ryan Spooner, Matt Moulson, Sam Reinhart

At press time, Pittsburgh was quite the favorite despite the human train wreck they are at times when it comes to defense. They can generate tons of offense and often in the blink of an eye. There are lots in the top nine forwards to choose from besides Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh's penalty kill is again a sore spot but so is Marc-Andre Fleury this year. His .904 save percentage also belies the fact that Pittsburgh allows around 35 shots per 60 when he starts. Pace has potential to be quite high here.   

Ottawa's first line is a bit of a mess but their second line that features Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone may be the real thrust of their offense. Hoffman has 11 points in his last ten games and Stone has been right along for the ride. Craig Anderson is back in net for Ottawa after being with his wife since the middle of last week. His 12-5-1 record with a .930 save percentage could be a real thorn in Pittsburgh's side tonight. Erik Karlsson has to be a huge presence well above his usually high daily fantasy floor. 

Arizona Coyotes @ Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ -243 favorites) - 7:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies: Louis Domingue (ARZ) [Confirmed] vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) [Likely]

Top Plays: Zach Werenski, Cam Atkinson, Brandon Saad

Top Values: Radim Vrbata, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Laurent Dauphin, Nick Foligno, Seth Jones

It will be wild to see how the Blue Jackets come out tonight given they are such heavy favorites. Sergei Bobrovsky appears likely to be in net but check back just before game time to make sure. He has actually been a little more average than usual. The Blue Jackets power play has started to level off considerably from its early season levels. They have improved at even strength and drive possession with a balanced group of forwards and a top defensive pairing that some consider to be one of the rapid risers. 

Can Louis Domingue play the way Mike Smith did on Saturday? That is the question. While no one expects to see 60 shots again, Columbus is expected to drive pace as Arizona's defense just tries to hold water while counterpunching sporadically. The Coyotes penalty kill has improved mostly due to Smith being back in net so Domingue has a heavy load to carry. Their power play is also a big issue as well. They also sent down Anthony Deangelo earlier today, Other than their forwards and Ekman-Larsson, there is slim pickings.   

Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals (WSH -222 favorites) – 7:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies: Robin Lehner (BUF) [Confirmed] vs. Braden Holtby (WSH) [Confirmed]

Top Plays: Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Jack Eichel

Top Values: Kyle Okposo, Rasmus Ristolainen, Jakub Vrana, John Carlson

Buffalo looks a lot better with Jack Eichel in the lineup. He has four points in three games but more importantly, goaltending and shot percentage both have ticked up noticeably. The Sabres' power play is converting at almost 23% which is one of the best in the league. The key may be how Robin Lehner starts in this one. In a previous meeting, Washington was able to eventually break down Buffalo enough to win but it was not easy. The difference is now that the Sabres have a little more firepower.   

Washington's power play over the last ten games is literally one of the three or four worst in the league at near 10%. Braden Holtby has been right around his season averages all year but the lack of offense by the Capitals has actually forced his record downward. Now, the team is a huge favorite tonight almost based on reputation alone. Oddsmakers are thinking this is the night Washington breaks out, albeit slowly. That Buffalo penalty kill is one that can be picked on and power play mini stacks may be an option. 

 

Florida Panthers @ Boston Bruins (Boston -147 favorites) - 7:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies:  Roberto Luongo (FLA) [Confirmed] vs. Tuukka Rask (BOS) [likely]

Top Plays: David Pastrnak, David Krejci

Top Values: David Backes, Zdeno Chara, Aaron Ekblad, Vincent Trocheck

At press time, Florida is likely to not have Jonathan Marchessault in their lineup (game time decision). It definitely bumps up Denis Malgin to the top line but keep an eye on Nick Bjugstad who could see a temporarily increased role on the power play. The Panthers' second line will be one that avoid the Patrice Bergeron line so they may be one to actually utilize. Roberto Luongo will have his hands full but is more than capable of handling a high volume of shots.   

Boston's second line is arguably hotter than their first right now, particularly the combination of David Krejci and David Backes. They have been around a point a game for the past ten contests. The Bruins are also getting back Zdeno Chara tonight which should help the defensive situation somewhat. Tuukka Rask is expected to start tonight and both teams have been very stinky over their last five games. The expectation is a low or relatively low scoring contest. 

Stacks To Consider (Ranked From Most To Least Confident):

PIT1: Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist-Kris Letang (Conor Sheary for price relief)

WSH1: Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Marcus Johansson

CBJ1: Brandon Saad-Alex Wennberg-Nick Foligno (Cam Atkinson can be subbed in)

BOS1: Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak-Torey Krug

PIT2: Evgeni Malkin-Carl Hagelin-Phil Kessel (Higher in GPP's)

OTT2: Mike Hoffman-Mark Stone-Erik Karlsson

BOS2: David Backes-David Krejci

BUF1: Ryan O’Reilly-Kyle Okposo-Rasmus Ristolainen (Jack Eichel can be added/subbed)

ARZ1: Tobias Rieder-Martin Hanzal-Radim Vrbata (possibly Oliver Ekman Larsson)

FLA1:  Denis Malgin-Alex Barkov-Jaromir Jagr (adjust lower for GPP's) 

FLA2: Jussi Jokinen-Vincent Trocheck-Reilly Smith

Goalie Rankings:

1. Tuukka Rask (Likely)

2. Braden Holtby (Confirmed)

3. Sergei Bobrovsky (Likely)

4. Marc-Andre Fleury (Confirmed)

5. Roberto Luongo (Confirmed)

6. Craig Anderson (Confirmed)

7. Robin Lehner (Confirmed)

8. Louis Domingue (Confirmed)

The DraftKings example lineup and FanDuel optimal lineup was posted around 4 PM ET. If you have any questions, please let me know on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS Good luck!