Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for Tennis and Soccer respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season which means it's time to sharpen our MLB skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Today I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 3/22/22
The trade deadline is officially over and hopefully, everyone got one player that they had on their wishlist. There were some big moves that will change the landscape of teams’ lines moving forward. These moves will also open up some value for the time being and I will do my best in guiding you through this giant eleven-game slate on DraftKings at 7:00 p.m. EST respectively.
There are a few teams playing on the second-half of a back-to-back: Vegas, Edmonton and Nashville. The Red Wings and their league’s second-worst 3.66 GA will host the Flyers, while the Blues and their league’s fifth-best 3.49 GF will look to stimy the Capitals when they travel to the nation’s capital.
DISCLOSURE: Things may not be the same at puck drop due to COVID-19 and injuries. Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk.
NHL DFS Goalies
Igor Shesterkin- DK $8.2K || FD $8.6K
Opponent - New Jersey Devils
Surprisingly on an eleven-game slate, there are not many "safe" options. Therefore, we immediately look at Shesterkin who we have relied on time and time again. The Rangers are also coming in with a stronger team after making a few moves prior to and at the deadline. The Devil's are getting healthier as well, but on paper, it will not be enough to topple the Rangers.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Jarry(DK $8.5K || FD $8.5K), Markstrom(DK $8.4K || FD $8.3K, Sorokin(DK $8.3K || FD $8.1K), Nedeljkovic(DK $8.1K || FD $6.9K), Hellebuyck(DK $7.8K || FD $7.6K), Vasilevskiy(DK $7.4K || FD $8.2K)
NHL DFS Centers
Morgan Frost-DK $2.5K || FD $3.4K
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
The Flyers have gotten rid of a few names this year and it is opening up ample opportunities for the youngsters. Frost happens to be one of them who will benefit from not only Giroux leaving but also Brassard as well. From the looks of it, Frost will be centering Atkinson and James Van Riemsdyk on the second-line. Even though Frost has been quite disappointing this season, all he needs is a shot or two and a lucky bounce to maintain value.
Mikael Backlund- DK $3.5K || FD $5K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
This could arguably be the value-play of the slate with the new line combinations coming out of Calgary. Backlund has received a massive boost in value after teammate Matthew Tkachuk was moved down to his line. Bench boss Daryl Sutter is looking to provide a more balanced approach to his offense and this could be the answer. I may even bet Backlund gets one point or if you feel even riskier an assist. Tomas Hertl and company from San Jose are no joke, but Backlund could be feeding Tkachuk all game long.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Crosby(DK $8K || FD $8.5K), Stamkos(DK $6.9K || FD $8.3K), Larkin(DK $6.4K || FD $8.1K), Dubois(DK $5.5K || FD $6.5K), Strome(DK $4.4K || FD $5.4K), Hayes(DK $3.8K || FD $4.7K)
NHL DFS Wings
Rickard Rakell- DK $2.5K || FD $5.2K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Who else is excited about this move, am I right? Okay, with bias aside, this is truthfully a very good hockey move for the Penguins and it could be something that not only jumpstarts Rakell’s prime years again but also new teammate Evgeni Malkin’s production. The greatest part about this is Rakell’s salary is at the very bottom of the barrel and he should hit value in the blink of an eye. Through 51 appearances with the Ducks this season he had 16.0 goals and 12.0 assists.
Nikolaj Ehlers- DK $6.2K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - Vegas Golden Knights
Here we are once again, riding the tail of Ehlers. The winger did not disappoint us on Sunday and he hopefully will not tonight either. Ehlers is on absolute fire right now with a 4-2-6 line and 18.0 shots over his last five games. As I mentioned before, Dubois has taken a passive approach to his game now with a sharpshooter on each side of his and this only further boosts Ehlers's potential. Vegas will be coming off a 3-0 away loss to the Wild last night and possibly giving Dylan Ferguson his first start of the season. Either way, they will not be prepared to face the fast-paced second-line of the Winnipeg Jets.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Panarin(DK $6.6K || FD $7.5K), Atkinson(DK $5.7K || FD $6.3K), Buchnevich(DK $5.6K || FD $6.5K), Toffoli(DK $4.9K || FD $6.2K), Schwartz(DK $3.9K || FD $4.6K), Puljujarvi(DK $3.7K || FD $5.3K)
NHL DFS Defensemen
Erik Brannstrom- DK $2.5K || FD $3.7K
Opponent - New York Islanders
We are back with another Brannstrom highlight. The youngster will remain in my articles as long as he continues to be underpriced. The defenseman is bottom of the salary range still and his role has not changed since teammate Thomas Chabot got hurt. Brannstrom also managed to pick up his first point against the Flyers since the promotion. Through his last five games, he has a 1-0-1 line with 13.0 shots and 3.0 blocked shots. He will not be known for his defensive peripherals, but he will continue to take shots when he can. A great comparison would be New York Islanders defenseman, Noah Dobson.
Mortiz Seider- DK $6.3K || FD $6.1K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
Although I want to highlight Noah Dobson after just referencing him, I must honor Seider’s name after his recent form. The Calder contender has gone through a lull recently, but aside from that, he has been excellent this year and a revelation in numerous ways for the Red Wings. In his past five appearances, he has a 0-1-1 line with 8.0 shots and 12.0 blocked shots. Even if he manages not to conjure up a point for the third-straight game, his peripherals alone will provide a respectable floor.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Letang(DK $7.2K || FD $6.5K), Fox(DK $6.9K || FD $6.7K), Dobson(DK $6K || FD $6.3K), Gostisbehere(DK $5K || FD $5.4K), Andersson(DK $4.7K || FD $6.1K), Lindell(DK $4.2K || FD $4.6K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- PIT1
- WPG1
- NYR1
- CGY1
- DET1
Brandon’s Stacks of the Day
WPG: Connor-Dubois-Ehlers
Chalk Stack
PIT: Guentzel-Sid-Rust
Sneaky Stack
PHI: Van Riemsdyk-Frost-Atkinson