After a wild trade deadline yesterday, we have an 11-game slate scheduled this evening in the NHL. With new faces in new places, it will be interesting to see how each player will react with new teammates and around 20 games left in the regular season. For the most part, there were not any big surprises of who was dealt and to which teams. However, certain teams are clearly ready for this season to be over and are a shell of an actual NHL team. Let’s break down tonight’s games and find some of the best DFS options.
Center
Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS): $6,700 vs. OTT
The 2017-18 Stanley Cup Champions host the Ottawa Senators tonight in a game with two teams heading in opposite directions. They had completely different mindsets leading up to the deadline where we witnessed the Senators selling off their top three offensive players. Meanwhile, the Capitals stayed pat and feel confident with the group they have to make another cup run. Evgeny Kuznetsov will center the top line for Washington while also logging power-play time on the top unit. Averaging a point per game, Kuznetzov is having another great season setting up Alex Ovechkin for one-timers. Load up on the Capitals tonight.
Jordan Staal (CAR): $3,500 vs. LA
If you have the salary to afford Sebastian Aho, he is a better option. For salary relief, though, look to second line center and veteran, Jordan Staal. Staal was activated from the injured reserve on Saturday after missing two months of action. The Kings will be playing their second game of a back-to-back, after playing in Tampa Bay last night. Sitting in last place in the Western Conference, Los Angeles has had a rough year and are one of those teams looking to wrap their disastrous season. At a discount, the Hurricanes second forward line could provide plenty of upside.
Wing
Alex Ovechkin (WAS): $8,200 vs. OTT
Arguably a top option any night he plays, the Capitals captain is a clear favorite tonight against the Sens. The NHL’s leading goal-scorer has scored seven goals in his last seven games which contribute to his 44-goal season. Ottawa has allowed the most goals against out of any team in the NHL (163) and has now traded away their three best players. While they have a lot of prospects and a bright future, Ottawa is as close to a minor league team as there is. Shutting down Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals will be a tough test for a fragile team on the road.
Teuvo Teravainen (CAR): $5,500 vs. LA
Like Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen will skate on the second forward line for the Carolina Hurricanes. The second line is intriguing tonight because they will likely avoid being line matched against Anze Kopitar who is one of the better two-way centers in the league. This is something to monitor as we get closer to lineup lock. Teravainen is having a great season and now has 21 points in his last 18 games.
Cam Atkinson (CLS): $7,200 vs. PIT
The Columbus Blue Jackets decided to go “all-in” leading up to the trade deadline. They added a couple of good offensive players, including Matt Duchene. This acquisition should increase the offensive production of the talented forwards on this team, such as Cam Atkinson. As of now, the two look like they will play together with Artemi Panarin, which could turn out to be a very dangerous group of forwards. Pittsburgh plays up in pace, encouraging Columbus to play a run-and-gun style of game. Atkinson is averaging 4.8 DraftKings points per game and is the leading goal-scorer on his team. The new addition will only help Atkinson with offensive opportunities.
Defense
John Carlson (WAS): $6,500 vs. OTT
Finalizing a Capitals stack, John Carlson is one of the league’s top offensive defensemen in the league and is in line for a big night. Although he only has nine goals this year, he has also added an incredible 47 assists to his point total of 56. As the quarterback on a dynamic power-play, Carlson also averages 25 minutes of ice-time per night. Against the Senators, all Capitals are worth a look, especially the premium players.
Zach Werenski (CLS): $4,600 vs. PIT
As the defenseman on the top power-play unit, Zach Werenski is simply priced too low given the new additions. Pittsburgh is a middle of the road team in terms of goals against. Given the talent on the Penguins and their offensive defensemen, Pittsburgh tends to push the pace of play during breakouts, stretch passes, and shots on goal. This style of play allows a lot of potential turnovers and goal-scoring chances against. In Columbus, with the buzz around all of their new players, it is hard to think this team won’t be fired up to take on one of the better teams over the past decade.
Goalies
Braden Holtby (WAS): $8,300 vs. OTT
The Capitals are a -315 favorite tonight and are an easy money line bet. We have talked about it throughout the article. Ottawa is simply not a competitive NHL team at the moment. Meanwhile, the Caps are fifth in the Eastern Conference and are at home. The win is almost a guarantee tonight in what should be a blowout. Braden Holtby should be the highest-owned goalie tonight, however, his high price tag might scare people away.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
