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 Wednesday 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. There may be an update or two by the 8:00 pm ET lock.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Pittsburgh Penguins (Pittsburgh -135 favorites) - 8:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies:  Corey Crawford (CHI) [Confirmed] vs. Tuukka Rask (PIT) [Confirmed]

Top Plays: Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby

Top Values: Nick Schmaltz, Duncan Keith, Justin Schultz, Nick Bonino

At press time, Chicago still has the same vulnerabilities on the penalty kill as they always have. However, they can push the pace like few teams can. They will have to against a Pittsburgh team that averages nearly four goals a game at home. There is a reason why the over/under has pushed to six here. Pittsburgh's penalty kill is almost as bad as Chicacgo's at times so possibilities of a power play stack are elevated here. This makes for some intriguing game stacking.   

Pittsburgh is missing a host of players including Kris Letang and Conor Sheary. Their depth is not where it should be and a couple of their defensemen are also banged up. Despite this, they are a slight favorite because of their offensive lethality. Pittsburgh's power play is going to be vital along with the top six. They have to press the issue no matter how many chances the Penguins may allow. Sidney Crosby is the key piece but there are ways to surround players with him to lower the stack cost. 

Los Angeles Kings @ Calgary Flames (CGY -150 favorites) - 9:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies: Ben Bishop (LAK) [Possible] vs. Brian Elliott (CGY) [Confirmed]

Top Plays: Johnny Gaudreau

Top Values: Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dougie Hamilton, Mikael Backlund

It will be wild to see how the Kings come out tonight considering they pretty much have zero margin for error. Los Angeles lost a close 2-1 game to Edmonton last night despite their best efforts. Anze Kopitar has been chugging along at a point a game for a dozen contests. It is the second line that has nose dived even with Jeff Carter on it. This is despite a number of glorious chances. It is a night where the Kings will need that second line to do something or get a shred of offense from their depth. 

The Flames are in a fight for the Pacific Division. Brian Elliott is 9-0-1 now in his last ten starts while still seeing 31 shots per 60. For some unknown reason, the goalie just seems to pick it up a notch come March into early April. As for the offense, it has been a balanced effort for the most part as the top lines have been taking turns holding their end of the offensive load. Calgary's second line appears to have the advantage tonight as they will be avoiding the Kopitar line. However, do not sleep on Calgary's power play.   

Washington Capitals @ Colorado Avalanche (WSH -260 favorites) – 10:00 PM ET

Starting Goalies: Philipp Grubauer (WSH) [Possible] vs. Calvin Pickard (COL) [Confirmed]

Top Plays:  Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom

Top Values: T.J. Oshie, Kevin Shattenkirk, Mikko Rantanen, Tyson Barrie

Washington clinched a playoff spot and more but the overtime win may have a little bit of effect. Yes, Colorado is awful at home or on the road but sometimes it does not take much. The first line will be heavily chalky but some will play it anyway. After that, it is important to look at even the second power play unit and second or third lines also. Philipp Grubauer is likely to get a start in net and it's a good opportunity at a win.   

Colorado looks lost but they are facing a team who won a pretty emotional game last night in overtime. Tyson Barrie has some offensive potential here as he has six points in the last nine contests. Do not sleep on Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. At this point, it is about one-offs and maybe a mini stack of Colorado's power play. Something does not feel right about this game. Washington is too heavy a favorite given the potential for a backup goalie and the altitude. 

St. Louis Blues @ Arizona Coyotes (St. Louis -200 favorites) - 10:30 PM ET

Starting Goalies:  Louis Domingue (ARZ) [Confirmed] vs. Carter Hutton (STL) [Confirmed]

Top Plays: Vladimir Tarasenko

Top Values: Alex Pietrangelo, Alex Steen, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Radim Vrbata, 

Alas St. Louis and their power play is something to watch or even their first and third lines as they wreaked havoc on Arizona on Monday. The top line did the actual damage however. It looks like Jake Allen will be in net for the Blues barring something unforeseen and naturally St. Louis has changed their mind and opted for Carter Hutton. Again, looking at the third line is strictly for value. Alex Pietrangelo is the defensive play of note and still right around average price.   

Arizona is intriguing at home though Louis Domingue is getting the start and not Mike Smith. Does St. Louis look past Arizona is the question? With the Coyotes, it is about the Radim Vrbata line and if Oliver Ekman-Larsson gets involved early. The Coyotes play with intensity but often falter later in games. The longer they can stay in a game makes any value plays more viable. With the Hutton news, Arizona will get more looks. 

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

PIT1: Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust-Justin Schultz (Conor Sheary game time decision)

STL1: Alex Steen-Jaden Schwartz-Vladimir Tarasenko-Alex Pietrangelo

CGY 1: Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Dougie Hamilton

WSH 1: Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie (possibly Kevin Shattenkirk)

CHI 2: Artemi Panarin-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane

ARZ 1: Max Domi-Christian Dvorak-Radim Vrbata (Oliver Ekman-Larsson can be used)

 

Goalie Rankings:

1. Brian Elliott (Confirmed)

2. Carter Hutton (Confirmed)

3. Philipp Grubauer (Possible)

4. Marc-Andre Fleury (Confirmed)

5. Corey Crawford (Confirmed)

6. Louis Domingue (Confirmed)

7. Calvin Pickard (Confirmed)

8. Ben Bishop (Possible)

The DraftKings example lineup and FanDuel optimal lineup was posted around 4:15 PM ET. If you have any questions, please let me know on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS Good luck!