There are nine games scheduled this evening in the NHL. There are plenty of great matchups and interesting DFS options. Seven of the nine games have a goal total of six, which should lead to plenty of offense. Let’s take a deeper dive into the slate to find some of the best DFS players.
Center
Connor McDavid (EDM): $7,900 vs. MON
The Edmonton Oilers have been the laughing stock of the NHL. Dropping their last four games in a row, it seems as if the team is reverting back to their old ways. That being said, Edmonton has had a rough schedule to start the season and will look to bounce back against the Canadiens on home ice. Connor McDavid will be reunited with Leon Draisaitl on the Oilers top forward line. They are the two most talented players on the team and will be a force against a young Montreal team.
Sean Couturier (PHI): $6,200 vs. FLA
Philadelphia will host the struggling Florida Panthers tonight. The Flyers top line is one of the best in the NHL and is a great DFS stack because at least one of the top forwards will usually be in on every goal the team scores. They are one of the few stacks you can feel confident about, each night out. On home ice, the Flyers will roll out their top line against whichever matchup they feel is the most advantageous. Couturier has now scored a point in each of his last three games, while also scoring eight points in his last six games.
Wing
Drake Caggiula (EDM): $4,300 vs. MON
Along with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be forward Drake Caggiula. Although he won’t play on the top power-play with the two, Caggiula provides plenty of salary relief with upside. He has found success with Connor McDavid earlier in the season when Ty Rattie was out of the lineup with an injury. Caggiula has scored five goals this season and should have plenty of opportunities while playing alongside two world-class passers.
Claude Giroux (PHI): $7,200 vs. FLA
Flyers captain, Claude Giroux, is the next piece to a Flyers stack which should be considered. Giroux is, once again, among the league leaders in points, with 22 in the first 17 games played. This game has shoot-out potential as both teams have found success scoring goals this season. The advanced stats on both teams are nearly identical, which should make for a great hockey game.
Travis Konecny (PHI): $5,000 vs. FLA
The last forward on the top Flyers line to look at is the winger, Travis Konecny. Clearly the least skilled forward of the group, Konecny will come at a slight discount. Even though he has not provided a lot of offense on the top line, he will log time on the first power-play unit as well. He should be able to get things going in a game with plenty of offense.
Jake Guentzel (PIT): $5,200 @ NJ
Another game which should see offensive fireworks is the Penguins at Devils. Pittsburgh has shown cracks in the armor of late. That being said, they are still among the best teams in the league and Jake Guentzel is a reason why. Although he does not have the same name recognition as a Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or Phil Kessel, Jake Guentzel now has 11 points in the first 15 games and continues to skate alongside Crosby. Against New Jersey, the Penguins will find themselves in a high-paced, high-event game. Look for Guentzel to chip in either on the power-play or during even-strength.
Defense
Ivan Provorov (PHI): $4,900 vs. FLA
Among the league leaders in “average time on ice,” the young Flyers defender finds himself in all situations during the game. He plays a ton of time during even-strength. However, he will also play on the penalty kill, which provides plenty of blocked shots, along with on the power-play where he has offensive upside. Although he has only scored seven points this season, Provorov will break-out in a big way soon.
Jack Johnson (PIT): $3,500 @ NJ
It is very clear that Kris Letang is the top defensive option on the Penguins team. However, Jack Johnson is an interesting pivot at a $2,700 savings. Johnson will be paired on the top defensive unit with Letang and will also log power-play time on the second unit with Jake Guentzel and company. Johnson is a savvy veteran who has had an underrated career. He is one of the best salary-saving options playing tonight.
Goalie
Thomas Greiss (NYI): $8,000 vs. VAN
The Vancouver Canucks have played “spoiler” in plenty of games to start the season. They are the biggest surprise team in the NHL and have served a lot of upsets. On an East-coast road trip, Vancouver has now lost three of their last four, allowing 12 goals against in that span. The Islanders are arguably the league’s second most surprising team after their start and are also looking for an important win. The Isles have less adversity to deal with, however. They are healthy, for the most part, and will be on home ice. The defensive style of play should leave this as one of the lowest goal-totals on the night, and Greiss should come away with the much-needed win.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
