Happy Saturday, October 29th of this Halloween weekend! Like most Saturdays, we have a lot of hockey on tap for tonight which should be a lot of fun!
I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 at 7:o0 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 hit me up via Twitter @Mark_Kieffer or in our NHL discord. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/29/22
Every game on this slate is set at either 6.0 or 6.5 for the game total. Montreal is the only team implied for less than three goals.
You can check out the latest here: Vegas Odds for the Day
So how do we separate the teams? Price is a factor, and whether teams are on a back-to-back is another factor, along with the upcoming schedule.
As always, ensure the goalie in your lineup is confirmed before the lineup lock! There is nothing worse than having a great lineup but taking a zero at goalie. This has happened to me before and it stinks!
NHL DFS Goalies
Jordan Binnington DK $8.5K || FD $8.9K
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
Saint Louis is a -273 favorite and Montreal is implied for just 2.3 goals. Often in games like this, because saves are important for fantasy scoring, the question is whether Montreal will shoot enough to warrant the high price tag. Montreal is just 22nd in shots per game at 29.75 shots per game. Saint Louis allows 32.67 shots per game. If Montreal puts up 30 shots, Binnington gets 28 saves and allows two goals en route to a win, that isn't so bad.
Binnington is 3-1-0 with a 1.74 GAA, one shutout, and a .936 SV%.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Saros (DK $7.6K || FD $7.8K), Hart (DK $7.0K || FD $6.9K - GPP only)
NHL DFS Centers
Auston Matthews -DK $8.7K || FD $9.3K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
I enjoy spending up at Center, even in cash games, as the top-end guys offer a floor and ceiling you cannot access at the lower price points typically.
Matthews has started the season off slow, averaging just 15.8 DraftKings points per game and 17.25 FanDuel points per game -- low for his salary. In his last two games, he has 12 shots on goal and a goal scored, so he might be getting on track now. Given he is less expensive than Connor McDavid (going against CGY) while Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are on the second game of back-to-backs tonight, Matthews makes a lot of sense as the top spend-up option at Center on the slate.
Tage Thompson -DK $5.6K || FD $5.5K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Tage Thompson is the lowest I can go at Center and still feel somewhat comfortable with my lineup. Similar to Matthews, he is off to a slow start with just one goal and two assists in seven games played this season. He is coming off a game where he shot the puck eight times, and he has 12 of his 22 shots on goal on the season in his last two games.
The Sabres are facing Arvid Soderblom in the net, as he is called up from the AHL. Last season, in three appearances, Soderblom was 0-2-0 with a 5.01 GAA and .863 SV%.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Eriksson Ek (DK $5.8K || FD $5.7K), O'Reilly (DK $3.9K || FD $4.6K)
NHL DFS Wings
Mitch Marner- DK $6.5K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
If I am playing Auston Matthews, I am interested in pairing him with Mitch Marner. Marner started off slow but in the last game, he had a great game with a goal and an assist. He has seven points in eight games, but only 14 shots on goal for the season. When Matthews gets going, Marner often follows. They also skate together on the top power play. Michael Bunting is a good value option on that first line if needing some savings.
Jeff Skinner- DK $4.7K || FD $4.9K
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
I want to pair someone with Tage Thompson and at this price point, it is hard to beat Jeff Skinner. Skinner also skates with Thompson on the top Power Play unit too. Skinner has just one goal and two assists on the season. His linemate Alex Tuch has been more productive but has only taken two more shots on the season and is significantly more expensive. I am willing to take the chance on Skinner and save some salary, especially in a cash-game environment. In a GPP, I would consider stacking the whole BUF1 line.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kaprizov (DK $8.0K || FD $9.8K), Tippett (DK $2.5K || FD $3.7K)
NHL DFS Defensemen
Roman Josi- DK $7.8K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - Washington Capitals
If you have the cash to spend up, Roman Josi is my favorite. Although he has just one goal and two assists through six games played, he also has 33 shots on goal! It is only a matter of time before the points start piling up for Josi.
Sean Durzi- DK $4.0K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs
Sean Durzi is someone I play frequently in cash games. He is on the second power play unit for the Kings, but he also routinely goes above 20 minutes of ice time. He has one goal and four assists in eight games played this season.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Doughty (DK $5.1K || FD $6.1K), Brodin (DK $2.7K || FD $4.1K)
NHL DFS Top Stacks
There are so many good spots to go to on this slate. Here is a handful I like:
- TOR1: Whether they face Quick or Peterson, they both save percentages below 90%.
- BUF1: Whenever you have a line facing a goalie that allowed five goals per game, you have to have some exposure.
- DET1/PP1: Minnesota averages the most penalties per game and their penalty kill is middle of the league. The top line is correlated with the top Power Play
- CGY PP1: Edmonton is the fourth most penalized team, while their penalty kill is the sixth-worst in the league.