A full, 12-game slate is on tap this evening, with a lot to break down. We are now one full week into the new 2018-19 season and trends are starting to form. For some teams, we have seen up to four games played. For others, their season is just starting. Four teams have played just one game thus far.
There will be plenty of offense tonight as the NHL transitions into a more fast-paced sport. Let’s take a deeper dive into the games scheduled and find some of the best DFS options this evening.
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Center
Leon Draisaitl (EDM): $6,400 @ BOS
This will likely be the only article on the internet touting Leon Draisaitl this evening. There are so many great centers playing tonight. Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Steven Stamkos, and on and on. This is a hunch more than anything, so here we go.
The Edmonton Oilers have played just one NHL game to start the season. That game was played in Sweden last Saturday. Although the team has had to travel back to North America, they have had five days to prepare for this game. Most see the Edmonton Oilers as a one-man team, Connor McDavid. For the most part, they would be right. However, Leon Draisaitl is an amazing talent and has shown he can produce. At a reasonable price, Draisaitl will also play alongside long-time Bruin, Milan Lucic. Lucic started his NHL career in Boston where he also won a cup. It is no secret that he loved playing in Boston and feels comfortable in the building. Lucic started the season off on a positive note where he scored a goal and an assist (as did Draisaitl), which was a concern after last season.
Also, the Boston Bruins will 100% game plan around McDavid. Patrice Bergeron is a “shut-down” center and will be line matched against the Oilers top forward unit. However, the rest of the team has not shown great defensive capabilities. Draisaitl will also log time on the top power-play unit with McDavid where he will look to improve off of last years disappointing numbers.
This is a risky play, but it could be one that pays huge dividends as a sub 1% owned center with massive upside.
Dylan Larkin (DET): $6,400 vs. TOR
More of a GPP option, but viable in cash games, is Red Wings center, Dylan Larkin. Larkin is one of the only offensive bright spots coming out of Detroit in what will be another rebuilding season. The top line center is averaging close to 20 minutes a night, where he also logs time on the top power-play unit. His elite speed generates plenty of offense in which he has recorded one goal, two assists, and 11 shots through three games. Once again, the matchup against the Maple Leafs will prove to showcase fantasy production. Although Toronto is the better team to target for offense, they have no defense to speak of. This was a concern coming into the season and has been proven true from allowing over four goals against per game.
Wing
Nikita Kucherov (TB): $7,500 vs. VAN
The Lightning winger was an Art Ross candidate for the majority of the season in 2017-18. His skill is unquestioned as one of the best offensive players in the NHL. Playing alongside Stamkos, Kucherov is one-half of the most dangerous duo in the league. Tampa Bay is playing just their second game of the season, but we fully expect them to dominate the Eastern Conference like they did a year ago.
Kasperi Kapanen (TOR): $3,800 @ DET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a very scary offense. They have multiple superstars who can score seemingly at will. One of the beneficiaries is Kasperi Kapanen. Starting the season on the fourth line, Kapanen has since moved up to the Leafs first/second line (more of a 1A and 1B line situation) with Auston Matthews. Toronto’s top player is setting the league on fire with seven goals and three assists already, through just four games. Since moving to his line, Kapanen has recorded four points and nine shots on goal in two games. For salary relief, look to Kapanen who has massive upside at this price.
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL): $7,600 vs. CGY
Although the Flames shut out the Predators in Nashville two nights ago, they allowed nine goals against in their previous two. Vladimir Tarasenko is one of the most skilled wingers in the game and is turning into one of the best goal scorers. Coming off a two-goal performance against the Blackhawks, Tarasenko has also recorded 13 shots in just two games. The Blues superstar will log time on the top power-play unit where he is the focal point. The St. Louis players funnel the puck to the sniper who has a deadly shot. Look for the Blues to come out blazing in a game which they should win.
Erik Haula (VGK): $4,800 @ PIT
The Vegas Golden Knights are having a playoff hangover. They have a 1-3 record to start the season and are struggling to score. After an incredible 2017-18, Vegas has a lot to prove. They did lose a couple of key pieces but have most of their core. Erik Haula is one who needs to find his offensive game soon. Coming off a career best 55 points in 76 games, Haula will look to get things going on the road in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have been atrocious defensively so far this season and will look to be a part of another offensive shootout. In their first two games, both at home, Pittsburgh has allowed 12 goals against. What is more concerning is the fact starting goaltender Matt Murray will be sidelined with a concussion. Casey DeSmith is in-line to get the start in net. The 27-year-old has just 14 games in the NHL and will have a tough test in his first start of the season. This should be a back-and-forth game with plenty of goals.
Defense
Morgan Rielly (TOR): $5,700 @ DET
Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs are “match-up proof.” Their offense has been as good as advertised and one major contributor has been Morgan Rielly. Tied with Auston Matthews for the most points in the NHL, Rielly has recorded two goals and eight assists through the first four games. The Leafs power-play is lethal and Morgan Rielly is the quarterback setting up each goal. Detroit likes to slow the pace down at home, but it won’t matter. Toronto will be a viable stacking option all season long, barring any serious injury.
Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF): $5,300 vs. COL
Simply put, Rasmus Ristolainen is logging too many minutes to not be fantasy relevant at $5,300. He is averaging 25 minutes a night on a team who needs to lean on him as their number one defenseman. Taking the young rookie sensation, Rasmus Dahlin, under his wing, Ristolainen is not all that old himself. The 23-year-old is coming off a solid 41-point season as he enters his sixth NHL season. With the amount he plays, Ristolainen should easily fall into fantasy points from shots on goal and blocking shots. The offensive production should follow as well (two assists) as he logs plenty of power-play time.
Goalie
Devan Dubnyk (MIN): $8,300 vs. CHI
Whenever Devan Dubnyk is starting, at home, he needs to be considered for DFS purposes. The Wild netminder has turned his career around since coming to Minnesota and is now consistently a Vezina Trophy candidate each year. The Blackhawks offense will scare a lot of people off of Dubnyk. Jonathan Toews is off to a very hot start, scoring five goals in his first three. However, he has not recorded more than 30 goals in a season since the 2010-11 season. Do not be too worried. The Wild are a very defensive team and on home ice, they can dictate the line matchups. They will be shutting down the Blackhawks in a game which should be low scoring. If anything, the Wild should find offensive success against a Corey Crawford-less Chicago team.
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Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
