We have a three game slate tonight, as we approach the first weekend of the NHL season. These three match ups see each team taking the ice for the first time this year, which comes with plenty of new storylines. The most notable storyline is that the Vegas Golden Knights will be making their franchise debut in Dallas tonight. Some people around the hockey industry see them as an island of misfit toys, the castoffs from the former teams. The truth of the matter is yes, they have some talent, but don’t expect them to be making the playoffs this season. We also have plenty of new faces wearing new sweaters, so it should be fun to see how these team’s preform.

As I mentioned, it is only a three game slate, so options are limited at each spot, and there are some price gaps between players. But, we still have to make it work, and come up with the best potential lineups. All three games have over unders of 5.5 points, so we should be in for some good scoring.

New York Islanders @ Columbus

The Blue Jackets come into this game as a -150 favorite, and have a very familiar lineup to last year’s team. The one notable addition for them is Artemi Panarin, who was traded for over the summer from the Blackhawks. He is a fast young winger, who put up 74 or more points in each of his first two seasons. As for his match up tonight, he will be seeing plenty of ice time, as he is slotted onto the first line, and the first power play unit. The Blue Jackets finished sixth in the league last season, averaging three goals a game, and were seemingly always ready to explode and put up an eight spot while at home. Up against the Islanders who were eighth worst in the league last season, allowing 2.90 goals per game. With the same two goalies back for the Isles, they should be seeing much of the same.

Speaking of the Isles, it seems they will be continuing on the same path as they were last season, where is the help for John Tavares. Johnny T simply cannot do it alone, so hopefully the offseason pick up of Jordan Eberle will help, as they are both on the top line and the first power play unit. They will be seeing plenty of ice time, but they will be going up against Sergei Bobrovsky, who is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, which is given to the top goal tender. Bobrovsky makes a good cash game play, and with the short slate, he is always viable in tournaments.

Florida @ Tampa Bay

Tampa is a -165 favorite tonight, and are facing in state foe, the Florida Panthers. The big news this season for the Lightning is that Steven Stamkos is back, and is healthy. He has seen his fair share of injuries over the past few seasons, and now that he is back, they have a legit 40 goal scorer, which should help them climb to the top of the Atlantic division. Tampa provides a wealth of options for both cash games, and GPPs. They have goal scorers and veterans on each line, and can go goal for goal with any team in the league. Kucherov and Namestnikov provide exposure to the top line and first power play unit, but don’t cost as much as Stamkos, so they make very interesting options. Try to get as many of their players into your lineups as you can tonight.

For the Panthers, they are looking very similar to their team from last year, and should be fighting for one of the last playoff spots. Players for them tonight are more of a GPP play, considering they are up against a tough defense, and Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net. You could always play Huberdeau or Barkov in cash games, just from a time on the ice perspective.

Vegas @ Dallas

Vegas is making their franchise debut, but come into this game as the biggest underdog on the slate at +200. We all know that the city of Vegas could use a win right now, but it just might not be tonight. The Stars are heavy favorites tonight, and with a retooled offense, and a new net minder, they are favorites in the West to make the playoffs. The Stars top line of Benn, Seguin, and Radulov are looking to be one of the chalkier stacks of the night, and with only three games, they will be highly owned. Dallas is clearly the more talented team here, so any player from their top three lines should see plenty of ice time, and shots to the net.

As for the new Golden Knights, I’m not sure there are any cash game plays on this team yet. You could look at Reilly Smith, Cody Eakin, or David Perron. They all have good experience in the league, and being on the top two lines, and the two power play units, the playing time is there, just no guarantee of consistency yet. They make really solid GPP options, since they will be overlooked by some.