Lineups were originally posted about 3:45 A.M. CT. There's a good chance they're going to need updating, but I'm posting them early because I probably won't be awake until about 1:00 P.M. CT, which is an hour before lock. So consider these lineups and the game breakdowns below until then, and check back for an update to lineups between 1:15 and 1:30 CT.
Rangers @ Penguins
If Evgeni Malkin is indeed back in the lineup tonight, it’s hard to pick out any Rangers to use in DFS. Pittsburgh would run three deep with good possession lines with Malkin back centering the second line. New York can’t be trusted with +/- on FanDuel and no Rangers standout as values on DraftKings, so just pass on the Rangers.
If there’s a New York line to pick on other than their fourth, it’s their second. Pittsburgh’s third line saw that matchup in Game 1, but their third line will turn into their fourth line if Malkin plays. The guess is Malkin draws New York’s second while the Bonino line, which operated as the second line last game but will be the third with Malkin back, continues to see New York’s third line. Malkin practiced back on the top power play unit yesterday, so a mini-stack of Malkin and PP1 defenseman Kris Letang is the best bet for the Pens.
Flyers @ Capitals
Washington’s top six is solid in the possession game, but their third was below average during the regular season. That third line saw a lot of Philly’s second line in Game 1, but somehow Washington’s third won the possession battle, despite PHI2 being a decent possession group in the regular season. With Washington winning Game 1, the assumption is matchups may be similar, so PHI2 could be worth a look in GPPs. Brayden Schenn is the best bet from that line as he plays on the top power play unit. Michael Raffl is also decent salary relief.
Philly’s fourth line saw a fair bit of Washington’s top line, and Washington’s second played mostly against depth lines in Game 1. With Sean Couturier getting hurt, someone from depth lines will have to move up to center the second line, and Philly is going to lose some depth at the bottom of the roster. In terms of value, Ovechkin is more affordable on DK, while WSH2 is all priced nicely on FD.
Wild @ Stars
Assuming Tyler Seguin is back tonight, the Stars will run three deep with similarly good possession lines. But Dallas’ fourth line saw some of Minny’s second line in Game 1, so that line is interesting. Mikael Granlund plays on the top power play unit while Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville play on the second unit. Marco Scandella joins that line at even and plays on the second PP unit.
Dallas’ top line has some sexy names that are fun to roster, and Seguin would be especially tough to pass on given his absence has his salaries a bit depressed. But Dallas’ second line, centered by Jason Spezza, is the best bet. It’s no secret that Minnesota really lacks depth right now, and Spezza’s line played almost exclusively against Minnesota’s third and fourth lines in Game 1. Seguin drawing back in could jumble lines a bit, but Spezza and Patrick Eaves are likely to be on that second line no matter what. Kris Russell skated a fair bit with Spezza’s line in Game 1, and he works on the second power play unit.
Sharks @ Kings
This is the one game where we may not be able to rely on the matchups from Game 1 being the same matchups we see in Game 2. LA is the only home team playing today who lost Game 1, so it’s possible they switch up their lines, differentiate how they choose to match up lines or both. But what those changes might be if they even happen is anyone’s guess.
In Game 1 LA basically matched their lines up evenly with the exception of their second line stealing a few shifts from their third line against San Jose’s third line. LA’s third line is a weak possession trio, so San Jose’s third line could be a contrarian play. Patrick Marleau centers that line and plays on the top power play unit, so he’s potentially an option.
As for the Kings, you really just want to avoid Kings who will see San Jose’s top line, which was mainly Anze Kopitar’s line in Game 1. San Jose’s top line scored three times in the game, but Kopitar’s line was only on the ice for one of those, so LA may stick with the same matchups. If that turns out to be the case, Jeff Carter’s line, with Tyler Toffoli and Dustin Brown, should have the best matchup. San Jose’s third line is a not a great possession unit, and, as mentioned, Carter’s line drew a few shifts against San Jose’s third, as did LA's third.