We have a short three game slate tonight, so options are limited at each spot, but there are still some heavy hitters on the board.
Red Wings at Maple Leafs
Toronto is on the second night of back-to-back, and coming off a nice 2-0 win over the Capitals. Toronto looks like it will be one of the more popular options tonight, as we know they can score plenty of goals. A quick story line going into this game, Patrick Marleau of the Maple Leafs is set to play his 1,500 career game tonight. If you like a good narrative, then that is the spot to look. The usual suspects should be your main focus on Toronto, the top line and the first power-play unit. They have multi point upside, and stacking them should be a smart way to go tonight. This game has Toronto as a -156 favorite and a goal total set a six.
Even with a small slate, the Red Wings won’t be one of the top options, so if you choose to go a bit contrarian, they could provide a bit of an edge in tournaments. Stacking up their first power-play should be your focus if you choose to roster them. As I mentioned, the Leafs played last night, so if they come out slow and commit some penalties, the Wings are in a spot to capitalize. Take note, the Leafs backup goalie, Curtis McElhinney will in net tonight, so the goal upside is certainly there.
Blackhawks at Blues
This is looking like the game of the night, as we see two Midwest rivals faceoff. Doing a full on game stack here is in play, as both of these teams have plenty of offense options on multiple lines. Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are the top options for each team, and you should try to get them in any lineup you make, cash or GPP. Their ice time, and point potential are both huge, and on a short slate, you don’t want to fade the top options. I think you can take anyone from the top three lines and power-plays and feel pretty good about the upside they have tonight.
As for the goalies in this game, I’m not sure they are the best spot to look tonight. If you are thinking there will be a ton of goals, then this is not the spot to look. Neither team is a big favorite, so this is almost a true coin flip on who will win. With that said, taking a stand on a goalie for a GPP lineup is a risk, but if they come away with only giving up one goal and getting the win, it could be hugely beneficial.
Canadiens at Kings
Jonathan Quick is looking like the top option at goalie tonight, and should carry a large ownership percentage. He is at home and a -157 favorite against a Canadiens team, who has only scored 10 goals in six games, which is last in the league. The Montreal offense simply hasn’t been there to start the season, and with Quick look very strong to start the yea, we could be looking at shutout potential from him tonight.
As for the Kings, they are averaging a bit over three goals a game, and have only allowed nine goals in five games. Their offense has really been concentrated to the top two lines, so look there if you are going to take some players. Drew Doughty is an elite option tonight, as he sees time on the first defensive pairing and the first power-play unit. Plenty of ice time for him, he takes a good amount of shots, and also blocks some shots, which are great for us DFS players. Even with the short slate, you have a good amount of ways to stack up teams and players, which should leave you in a good spot for either cash or GPPs.