Washington Capitals Vs. Pittsburgh Penguin

It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they have a chance to turn things around this afternoon against the Washington Capitals.

The top line for the Penguins will always be popular, but it’s the second line that we should be targeting. Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker and Bryan Rust, or any combination of those players, works best. If you want to go all out here, Kris Letang joins Malkin and Rust on the top power play unit.

There’s a chance that Tristan Jarry gets a breather today, so if Casey DeSmith gets the nod, he could be an option. It’s not ideal, but you know that he will want to play well in the hopes of securing more starts in the future. Update: This is confirmed. Casey DeSmith will start for the Penguins today. Tristan Jarry and Kasperi Kapanen will NOT play today for the Penguins.

On the flip side, the Capitals top line is always an option. Alex Ovechkin hasn’t found the back of the net yet this season, and with the Penguins struggling early, that could change before the end of the day. If you can’t afford Ovi, T.J. Oshie is a nice second option with Nicklas Backstrom. The entire top line plays together on the top power play unit.

 

Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers will open the regular season against the Chicago Blackhawks in what should be an absolute dumpster fire. The Hawks are just #NotGood, and the Panthers should be very rusty, considering they haven’t played hockey in over ten months.

For Chicago, it’s all about their top line. Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome are the only three decent plates on this team, and they won’t set you back very much on DK. If you really want to save salary, a full power play stack with Adam Boqvist is the way to go. Again, the Panthers are not a good team, and even if Chicago is bad, they should be able to find the back of the net here.

If you have a strong stomach, you can roster whoever is starting in goal for Chicago, but I can’t say I’m behind that. Even if it’s Collin Delia, that won’t make me feel better. This game could be a real track meet, and that’s not what I want to be a part of.

For Florida, what can we even say. The beginning of their season was derailed due to COVID-19, so who knows how they come out and play. I want nothing to do with this team early on, but we can’t avoid the fact that DK continues to mail it in early in the season and price players playing on the top line at $2500. I don’t trust Anthony Duclair, but the salary relief is enough for me to want to take the risk. 

Outside of that, just stay away from this team. Who knows who will be the quarterback on the top power play unit, and if it isn’t Keith Yandle, then I’m out.

In goal, Chris Driedger is confirmed to get the start, but he’s the most expensive goalie option on the slate. That really tells you all you need to know about today’s slate. I’d prefer to start a goal from the first game, because we just don’t know what a gongshow this game could become.

May the hockey gods bless your DFS team with players who find the back of the net.