After a busy night in the NHL yesterday, just four games are scheduled this evening on the main-slate. With only eight teams taking the ice, stacking becomes even more important to differentiate lineups. There are plenty of great options for DFS purposes with four juggernaut offenses in action. Let’s take a deeper dive into tonight’s slate and find some of the best plays this evening.
Center
Mark Scheifele (WPG): $6,800 @ ANH
We can make a case for a lot of players at the center position tonight. There are five guys priced in the $7,000 and above territory, all of whom could be the highest fantasy producer. That being said, Mark Scheifele will save some salary and is in a fantastic spot against the Anaheim Ducks. The Jets top line center has now recorded 79 points in 72 games and will be looking to add to his total against a weak Anaheim team. The Ducks rank as a bottom three team in the league for High Danger Chances Against (HDCA), however, they are the worst team on home ice in this category. Winnipeg should dominate this game from start to finish, with Scheifele leading the way.
Elias Pettersson (VAN): $6,400 vs. OTT
Likely a shoo-in for the Calder Trophy, Elias Pettersson is having a rookie season to remember. Setting the Canucks team record for most points in a season by a rookie, Pettersson is approaching the 30-goal mark. The Senators remain a team to pick on with their depleted roster. Traveling across the country to the west coast, there are few players who will be able to slow the Swedish phenom tonight. Again, the center position is deep this evening. Finding a way to save salary will be key so we can afford other key players.
Wing
Blake Wheeler (WPG): $7,100 @ ANH
Arguably the Jets most important player, most of the offense filters through the big winger. Blake Wheeler is a true set-up man on the power-play, while also looking to pass first during the attack. With 68 assists, Wheeler ranks third in the NHL to only Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid. As Winnipeg is heating up before playoffs, Wheeler finds himself on a four-game point streak with 16 points in his last 10 games. The majority of people will likely look to stack Toronto or the Tampa Bay at Washington game this evening. Do not sleep on Winnipeg, who can score with the best of them.
Josh Leivo (VAN): $3,700 vs. OTT
Former Maple Leaf, Josh Leivo, now finds himself playing alongside Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser on Vancouver’s second forward line and top power-play unit. At just $3,700, Leivo is a fantastic option at the wing position for salary relief. While he has been quiet of late, this is a perfect matchup for his entire team to have a breakout game. Ottawa has allowed a mind-boggling 191 even-strength goals against this year, 22 more than any other team.
Jeff Skinner (BUF): $5,900 vs. TOR
Set to be one of the most sought after free agents this offseason, Jeff Skinner enters tonight’s action with 37 goals and 22 assists through 72 games. Playing on the top forward line next to Jack Eichel, Skinner is a true sniper who will fire a lot of shots on net. His price is not reflective on what he is capable of doing against a Toronto team who has given up a lot of goals lately. In addition, the Leafs played in Nashville last night and might come into this game a little sluggish against a hungry Sabres team.
Defense
Tyler Myers (WPG): $3,900 @ ANH
As the third piece to a Winnipeg stack, look toward defenseman, Tyler Myers. The Jets are dealing with injuries to their two best d-men, which has opened ice-time and opportunities for the six-foot-eight big man. Although he will not correlate with Scheifele and Wheeler on the top power-play unit, Myers will log time on the second unit, providing addition fantasy production.
Alexander Edler (VAN): $6,200 vs. OTT
He is expensive, however, Alex Edler has proven himself this season as one of the elite DFS players at his position. Averaging 24 minutes of ice-time per game, Edler has been leaned on more recently, due to injuries. Playing around 30 minutes a night over the last seven games, the savvy veteran racks up fantasy points in multiple ways and is often forgotten about in tournaments. His point total is not overwhelming but he will block a lot of shots. In a game which will be played at a faster pace, look for Edler to push the puck up the ice quickly against the Senators.
Goalie
Jacob Markstrom (VAN): $8,200 vs. OTT
Vancouver is -170 favorites on home ice tonight, in a game which should be easily won. Yes, the Canucks are a much better team, however, that should not take away from the recent form of Jacob Markstrom. Outside of getting lit up by Vegas four games ago, Markstrom has been incredible. Now with a 2.71 GAA and .915 SV% on the year, the Swedish netminder has kept the Canucks relevant in the standings far longer than they should be.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
