Lineups for tonight’s 4-game slate were posted a little before 2:30 PM ET. I would definitely recommend checking back before the 7:00 PM ET roster lock in case changes are made.
Additionally, just a heads up regarding post times for the lineups…
In general, postings will generally be made by 6:00 PM ET on any given slate. We do not offer coverage on shorter slates that are three games or less, but if you have a question about anything, your best bet is to reach me on Twitter.
I tend to get them up by 5:00 PM ET. But that’s me. All of us at Fantasy Alarm have different work schedules, and may not be able to get them up at the same time. For instance, Brett is more likely to get them up around the 6:00 PM. If it’s 6:15 PM ET and nothing has been posted, feel free to spam me on Twitter, but I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for it. We are all human. We do not use bots to create our lineups and the last thing I am going to want to do is post a lineup that I’m not happy with.
Be sure to keep in mind that I do feel that these smaller slates are much easier to put together GPP lineups given the narrowed down list of options available. That still doesn’t mean that cash isn’t a viable option. It’s just that there aren’t as many different ways to differentiate yourself when doing cash on a shorter slate.
In addition, it’s important to keep an eye out for any potential line changes that may come out from now and roster lock. Since we are coming off of a weekend, there’s a stronger likelihood that lines will be tweaked without anything getting leaked on Twitter via beatwriters and team newsfeeds.
Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils (NJ -120 favorites; O/U 5 o115)
Starting Goalies: Roberto Luongo (Confirmed) and Cory Schneider (Confirmed)
Top Plays: Vincent Trocheck, Keith Yandle, Aaron Ekblad
Top Values: Michael Sgarbossa, Colton Scevior, Travis Zajac, and Miles Wood
GPP Only: Taylor Hall
With Sasha Barkov on IR, the Panthers just do not have much offensive firepower in their lineup. The majority of their offense has been driven by three individuals: Vincent Trocheck, Keith Yandle, and Aaron Ekblad. Of course, an honorable mention goes to Jonathan Marchessault, who got the majority of the minutes alongside Trocheck and Jaromir Jagr against the Bruins. I’d say it’s more likely than not that they’ll be matched up against the Devils top line of Michael Cammalleri, Adam Henrique, and Kyle Palmieri (as long as that line remains together).
Again, the Panthers are VERY bruised up. Not only are Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau on IR, but they’ve also been joined by Seth Griffith and Nick Bjugstad. Not to mention, Roberto Luongo is Questionable thanks to an injury suffered in pregame warmups against the Predators. Most of the value guys that you’re going to be looking at are the guys who are getting the big boost in power-play minutes thanks to the change. This includes a trio of “meh” plays in Denis Malgin, Coltor Sceviour, and Michael Sgarbossa, who will all be on the 2nd power-play unit with Jussi Jokinen. But they are what they are. If you need value, they are reasonable.
As for their opponents in the Devils, well, things aren’t looking too much better. Defensively, they’ve had to deal with a lot of injuries. They lost John Moore thanks to a concussion, Andy Greene thanks to a slapshot to the wrist, and may even be without Yohann Auvitu, who left Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury.
Additionally, I’m not sure what’s going on with Taylor Hall, but he has not been doing too hot lately. Outside of a two-point performance on New Year’s Day (observed), he has gone scoreless in each of his last three games. He should get a few decent looks against the Panthers, but nothing you can rely on for cash games. Given the circumstances, he’s GPP only. As for reasonable cash plays, I think you have to consider some value guys in Miles Wood and Jon Merrill. Both players are getting power-play time, and in Wood’s case, he’s playing on the 4th line, but most importantly, he was given a promotion to the top power-play unit. I don’t mind using for value in any format because I highly doubt many people will be in on him. And given that he’s on the 4th line, he’ll get a very favorable matchup.
Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens (MON -115 favorites; O/U 5 u110)
Starting Goalies: Braden Holtby (Confirmed) vs. Carey Price (Confirmed)
Top Plays: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Justin Williams, Marcus Johansson, John Carlson, Max Pacioretty, Alexander Radulov, Shea Weber
Top Values: Whoever Replaces T.J. Oshie on the top line if he doesn’t play, Dimitry Orlov, Phillip Danault, Nathan Beaulieu
GPP Only: Nicklas Backstrom and Jeff Petry
Washington is definitely surging, having won five games in a row, including a big win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, breaking the team’s 16-game winning streak. They’ve also done so with contributions throughout their lineup, but the biggest producers have been two members of their second line in Justin Williams and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Both players accumulated seven points a piece over those five games, providing the club with a huge spark. Sadly, there is definitely going to be some shuffling tonight. T.J. Oshie left their last game in Ottawa with an upper-body injury, and is questionable for tonight’s game. If he doesn’t play, then Justin Williams is virtually a must play, because the last time Oshie was out, Williams was the one guy who got the big boost by taking his spot in the slot on the top power-play unit.
Of course, there’s also the fact that Tom Wilson, another right-winger, is questionable for tonight’s game. Injuries are just not doing us a favor.
There’s so many different ways this could go, but the thing is, if you can be on top of it, there’s some sneaky good plays that could be available tonight. It’s likely that Backstrom/Ovechkin will remain together, but there’s a number of different players that could take Oshie’s spot. I highly recommend giving Isabelle Khurshudyan, a Capitals Beat Writer, a follow on Twitter @ikhurshudyan. She will undoubtedly post lines once they are released. Let’s hope that it’ll be released prior to the pregame skate, because with the 7:30 PM start, it’s unlikely we’d get them in time for any changes.
For the Montreal Canadiens, they basically represent the prototype of having a one-line team. Since 2017 began, only six players have accumulated three points or more over those three games, and they are defensemen in Nathan Beaulieu, Shea Weber, and Jeff Petty (which isn’t too shocking), but the other three individuals are members of the top line, which consists of Max Pacioretty, Phillip Danault, and Alexander Radulov.
I am generally not too keen about playing guys who don’t get power-play time, but Danault is one of a few exceptions (Jason Zucker is another one that comes to mind). After all, his production warrants it, and regardless, his value is good in all formats. Plus, he actually got a few opportunities on the power-play time in their previous game against the Leafs.
Still, you’re going to want some exposure to that dominant #1 unit, and more likely than not, that’s going to mean rostering a dirt cheap Nathan Beaulieu, who has been a great fit for that unit. Three of his five points in 2017 have come via power-play assists.
Calgary Flames at Winnipeg Jets (WPG -135 favorites; O/U 5.5 u135)
Starting Goalies: Chad Johnson (Confirmed) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (Confirmed)
Top Plays: Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Mikael Backlund, Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, T.J. Brodie, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Jacob Trouba
Top Values: Alex Chiasson, Michael Frolik, Mathieu Perreault, and Drew Stafford
GPP Only: Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien
This game, logically, should have a pretty high over/under. Winnipeg’s last five games has averaged 7.6 goals between their opponents and their own team. In fact, six different players have accumulated exactly three points (the team lead) over their last three games. Five of them are forwards, and they all span those three different lines.
Calgary has also struggled a bit with their goaltending, but their team defense has vastly improved over the last month or so.
It definitely helps that the Flames have been rolling out three very formidable lines since splitting up the Monahan/Gaudreau duo. But they were reunited on Saturday night against the Canucks. This leaves the 3rd line to roll with Kris Versteeg, Sam Bennett, and Michael Ferland.
Even if it comes down to matchups, it appears that the Jets will send any of their top three lines to match up against their opposition’s top lines at any given time. The one thing that does stand out is that Dustin Byfuglian and Josh Morrissey, the “top D pairing,” split their time against their oppositions top two lines, and rarely see time against any other lines. With that said, I’m more than likely fading the Calgary 3rd line. Why? Well, in my opinion, you want guys to face Byfuglien. It’s a fact that no other player in hockey has been on the ice for more goals against at even strength than Byfuglian, and Tyson Barrie. And that’s a pretty lopsided stat considering the Avalanche have been atrocious this season.
Winnipeg has been getting contributions throughout their lineup, but none of them with the consistency of Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, and Nikolaj Ehlers. They have accumulated six, five, and four points respectively, over the course of their three games since New Year. Unfortunately, you cannot depend on them because Laine is out with a concussion. No one has been announced as the replacement, but there's a good chance that it'll be either Blake Wheeler or Drew Stafford. If you need value, you can also look to Jacob Trouba, who is getting more and more power-play time, and has contributed three points over the last three games.
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings (LA -155 favorites; 5.5 O/U u130)
Starting Goalies: Kari Lehtonen (Confirmed) and Peter Budaj (Confirmed)
Top Plays: Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin, Patrick Eaves, John Klingberg, Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson, and Drew Doughty
Top Values: Devin Shore, Cody Eakin, Jiri Hudler, Marian Gaborik, Jake Muzzin
GPP Only: Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Alec Martinez
It’s pretty rare for a Kings game to feature a 5.5 over/under, and that basically represents the type of game we tend to see from the Dallas Stars. The Stars will continue to be without Jamie Benn tonight. Hopefully for their sake, Benn returns sooner rather than later, because the lines are a bit of a mess without him.
The Stars have only played two games since New Year’s Day, and the only three players who have put together two points or more are John Klingberg, Lauri Korpikoski, and Jason Spezza. Sadly, Korpikoski is unplayable without getting a lick of power-play time. And also, sadly, is the fact that we are going to have to wait for updated lines to do anything viable with the Stars. Head Coach Lindy Ruff did his typical line shuffling when the chips were down against the Blues on Saturday. Still, expect Jason Spezza to be with Tyler Seguin, but expect them to be matched up against the Kopitar line. While Kopitar has been atrocious offensively, he has been solid in his own zone. I am okay with playing Seguin and Spezza given the short slate though. Other plays are a little tougher for me to swallow. The Stars had a rough travel day on Sunday and the team even had to even make an emergency landing.
As for the Kings, how frustrating is that game against the Red Wings after you see them score four goals against the Wild, and then witness the Sharks absolutely humiliate the Red Wings on Saturday? If you eliminate that joke of a performance against the Wings, you could argue that the Kings have been one of the more impressive teams over the last four games.
Of course, a large part of that stems from the 2nd line with Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson. Both are always going to be in play. You can get amazing exposure to them through Jake Muzzin, who remains a great value, but has finally stepped up his play in the attacking zone, putting up four points over this last four games.
I am also okay with getting exposure to the Kings top line, but probably not as keen about doing so in cash. Anze Kopitar is certainly playable on DK (though, I probably wouldn’t), but you can absolutely forget it on FanDuel. Marian Gaborik looked good against the Wild, and comes with a higher overall shot volume.
Top Line Stacks:
MON1: Pacioretty-Danault-Radulov-Weber/Beaulieu
WSH2: Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams-Carlson
CGY2: Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik-Giordano
FLA1: Marchessault-Trocheck-Jagr-Ekblad
LA2: Pearson-Carter-Brown-Muzzin
CGY1: Gaudreau-Monahan-Chiasson-Brodie
WPG2: Perreault-Little-Wheeler-Trouba
DAL1: Spezza-Seguin-Klingberg
LA1: Gaborik-Kopitar-Lewis-Doughty
WPG1: Stafford-Scheifele-Ehlers-Trouba