There are just two more nights of hockey before the All-Star break. Leading up to the weekend intermission, this evening’s five-game slate offers a few great stacking options. All games have a projected goal total of at least six, so there should be plenty of offense on the board. Without wasting any more time, let’s dive into these games and find some of the best DFS options.
Center
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS): $6,300 vs. SJ
The Stanley Cup Champions are in the midst of a brutal stretch. They have lost five games in a row, including Sunday’s embarrassing, 8-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. As a result, they have shaken up the forward lines, hopefully for the better. Nicklas Backstrom is back on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. The trio will also stick together on the top power-play unit and will look to put up goals against a struggling Sharks team.
Dylan Larkin (DET): $6,900 @ EDM
He didn’t record a point last game in Vancouver, but Dylan Larkin previously had six in the last three games. Edmonton has struggled in all facets of the defensive side and has a group of minor league defensemen who will not be able to shut down the speedy Detroit center. While the Oilers are still favored, the Red Wings could easily pull out a win against one of the league’s most inconsistent teams.
Wing
Alex Ovechkin (WAS): $8,400 vs. SJ
The NHL’s goal-scoring leader now has 33 on the year. He is a top DFS option any night he takes the ice, let alone in a game the Capitals need to win. San Jose has allowed six goals in each of the last three road games. Erik Karlsson has been sidelined until after the All-Star break, leaving a lot of ice time for less-talented defensemen to fill. After playing their second game of a back-to-back, the Sharks do not return to action until February 2. There is a good chance they are already checked out and in vacation mode. Ovechkin, the top “pay-up” player on the board tonight, should score multiple goals.
Jordan Eberle (NYI): $5,700 @ CHI
His overall numbers on the season do not look all that great. Jordan Eberle’s advanced stats, however, suggest positive regression is coming for the dynamic winger. This year, Eberle has a 61.27% High Danger Chance For rate (HDCF%), indicating that he is putting himself in fantastic opportunities to produce offense each night. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are allowing the most high-danger chances against and the third-most goals against in high-danger situations. Looking at the numbers, Eberle and the Islanders’ top forward line is an interesting line stack.
Tyler Bertuzzi (DET): $4,300 @ EDM
Simply put, the Oilers are in the middle of a train wreck. Already a team who lacked forward depth, they just put two (Ryan Spooner and Ty Rattie) on waivers. The extended their back-up goalie to a contract and are clearly parting ways with Cam Talbot. Connor McDavid told the media that any players who don’t believe in the team “should get out of the room.” Now on Detroit’s top line, Tyler Bertuzzi has shown the potential to score multiple points in games. He has recorded five points in his last four contests, all of which came in two games. Detroit could put up goals against a dismantled team.
Defense
John Carlson (WAS): $6,500 vs. SJ
As the final piece to a Capitals stack, John Carlson is the true quarterback for Washington’s elite power-play. It is no secret that Ovechkin is the “go-to guy” during the man advantage. Carlson, however, is most often the one setting him up. With 37 assists on the season, the defenseman is averaging 15.2 FanDuel points per game.
Nick Leddy (NYI): $4,500 @ CHI
As the top defenseman on the Islanders, Nick Leddy has taken a step back in his offensive production. That being said, he has produced more fantasy points of late and is shooting the puck a lot more. This game should feature a lot of offensive opportunities, and Leddy provides salary relief on a night where paying up for studs is necessary.
Goalie
David Rittich (CGY): $8,200 vs. CAR
The goalie situation in Calgary is still a little unclear. What is clear is that both goalies are playing incredible and finding ways to win games. David Rittich has an 18-4-4 record to go along with a 2.49 GAA and .917 SV%. Even though the Hurricanes stomped all over the Oilers two nights ago, Calgary should win this game with Rittich seeing plenty of shots.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
