Matthew MacKay | Thu, Apr 22nd 2021, 11:18am EDT

DraftKings NHL DFS Strategy Advice: Thursday (4/22)

Thursday’s 10-game slate features a handful of back-to-back games carried over from Tuesday, which oftentimes means that skaters who didn’t produce in the first game will go under-the-radar and get disregarded. This can lead to lower-tier first and second-line skaters having more opportunity in the offensive zone, creating more value in your lineups. We all saw the Pittsburgh Penguins nearly lose to the New Jersey Devils after being up 6-0 in the third period on Tuesday, as Penguins’ goaltender Tristan Jarry completely collapsed in the net.

This unexpected flurry of points from various Devils’ skaters is a prime example of hidden value on any given night based on the mentality of both the winning and losing teams. Let’s have a look at a few players to target on Thursday night based on their high-end production and opportunity to generate value near the goal to cash your lineups.

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Center

J.T. Miller (VAN): $5,900 vs. OTT
The 28-year old Ohioan centers Vancouver’s second line and managed to rack up two assists in his last outing against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Earning over 21 minutes average time on ice this season and coming off an extended rest period due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Miller is a great value to insert into your lineups based on his ability to set up goals (22 assists) by anchoring the offensive zone, including additional opportunities on the Canucks’ top power-play unit. Ottawa goalie Matt Murray is expected to make his fourth start since his return from an upper-body injury last week, which has seen him play much better in the net. However, I think that Vancouver will swarm the offensive zone for the majority of this game, and Murray surrendered 11 goals across two starts against the Canucks back in January, making Miller one of my favorite skaters to target when constructing lineups for Thursday night.

Wing

Brady Tkachuk (OTT): $7,100 at VAN
The son of legendary St. Louis Blues’ player Keith Tkachuk has been taking over games recently, racking up five points (three goals, two assists) across his last four games played that includes 16 shots. Brady Tkachuk is just 21 years old, but he is the most potent offensive player within the Senators’ first-line unit and earns over 18 minutes average time on ice. That gives him ample opportunities to generate production behind the opponents’ blue-line. Vancouver’s projected goalie, Braden Holtby, has allowed five goals in two wins across his last two starts, so he is a formidable opponent coming off plenty of rest. However, I think Tkachuk has the skillset and momentum to extend his point streak into a third-straight game on the road, making him a must-add to your lineups.

Defense

Dougie Hamilton (CAR): $7,200 at FLA
Dougie Hamilton has an assist in four consecutive games heading into Thursday’s game against goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers. These are two teams that are jockeying within the top two seeds in the Central Division, so their play should have playoff intensity throughout Thursday night’s contest in South Beach. The 27-year old Canadian is one of the best defensemen in the offensive zone this season, totaling 31 assists and six goals across 45 games for the Hurricanes this season. Bobrovsky has a 2.84 GAA in 26 starts for the Panthers this season, but he gave up three goals during an earlier loss to Carolina this month, where Hamilton lit the lamp for one of his six goals scored this season. You should feature Hamilton in your lineups despite the high salary — he is one of the most consistent defensive skaters in the league when it comes to generating offensive production.

Goalie

Jeremy Swayman (BOS): $8,500 at BUF
The 22-year old Alaskan netminder has been excellent across five starts for Boston this season, including a shutout performance in his last start against the New York Islanders last week. Swayman held the Sabres to two goals during a win earlier last week and should be able to replicate that performance again on Thursday night. Buffalo got shut out against the Bruins on Tuesday, and Swayman will get his opportunity to record consecutive shutouts. His 1.78 GAA this season is too attractive to ignore, especially considering that Swayman draws the most favorable matchup during Thursday’s 10-game slate. Lock him in as the foundation to cashing your lineups.