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HOCKEY IS ON FIRE!!! Friday features six more potential elimination games. We focus on the five-game main slate which starts at 2:30 pm ET.
Remember, when looking around for plays, an over/under of 6 dictates offense, but an over/under of 5 or sometimes 5.5 tilts towards the goalies. There are several games at 6.5, as that has become the new norm in hockey now. Also, note that FanDuel and DraftKings have split options for those who do not want to play the all-day slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/7/20. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. Let's get to it, shall we?
DFS Forwards to Consider
Auston Matthews - C, TOR vs. CBJ (FD - $8,500, DK - $8,400)
Some rules are simple to follow. If it is not broken, then why change now? Just keep doing it. Matthews was one of the few players who showed up for Toronto and played well throughout the entire game. The opportunities were there but the center just could not convert when needed. That seemed to be the theme for Toronto as they blew a 3-0 lead and lost in overtime. Pierre Luc-Dubois would be a cheaper center option at this point for those looking to spend a little less money and he is also riding a wave of confidence.
Phil Kessel - W, ARZ vs NSH (FD - $6,400, DK - $4,200)
The forward remains the key player for Arizona and can pile up some assists. This is more of a DraftKings play because of the price but one might be able to squeeze him into a FanDuel lineup or two. Kessel is healthier than he has been all season and had at least two scoring chances in every game this series. There are other nice wing options but Kessel is intriguing because of Nashville's porous defense down the middle of the ice. Team defense seems to be optional along with special teams at times.
Also, Consider:
It is a prudent idea to consider Kirby Dach against the Oilers again and of course finding a way to piece in Connor McDavid somewhere in your lineups with a Darnell Nurse mini-stack perhaps.
Can the Maple Leafs respond on Friday night? Alexander Kerfoot may be a sneaky add again like he was on Thursday. Also, when does Cam Atkinson hit the goal side of the ledger. He was close along with his two assists on Thursday night.
Explore different lines on Friday. Again, remember Columbus and Toronto are on the back end of a back-to-back. It will be okay to look elsewhere. Expect Chicago and Edmonton to be high-scoring for at least one more game as Edmonton tries to stave off elimination. Chicago's Jonathan Toews has turned back the clock along with Patrick Kane as Chicago has eight even-strength goals so far in the series.
Also Minnesota and Vancouver are on the back end of a back to back by the way.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Alex Edler - D, VAN vs. MIN (FD - $4,400, DK - $5,600)
This is a floor option yet again on Friday. Edler hit the floor bonus with four blocks on Thursday and expect to see more of the same on Friday. At the very least, he hits DraftKings average and is average priced on both sites for defensemen basically. Edler provides some offensive upside while Quinn Hughes represents a little bit more risk but even more offensive potential. The back end of a back to back expects to feature some more mistakes which should lead to more goals in theory.
Jeff Petry - D, MTL vs PIT (FD - $4,800, DK - $4,200)
Easily, Petry has been this crazy constant in a series full of contradictions. He has two goals (game winners) and an assist along with a modest floor. He just seems to show up when one least expects it. The bottom line is he keeps just barely exceeding value. That is fine for a lower price (especially on DraftKings). Pittsburgh has looked lifeless at times and Petry has been able to not only move the puck well but get his shot off (which is above average). It seems the Penguins overlooked the defenseman not named Shea Weber once again.
Does one roll the dice with Duncan Keith or Connor Murphy given the high-scoring nature of the Edmonton-Chicago series? It has to be considered.
Other choices for Friday may include Matt Dumba along with David Savard who again provides a great floor from the Columbus Blue Jackets while Seth Jones gets a good deal of the headlines.
DFS Goalie to Consider
Darcy Kuemper - G, ARZ vs NSH (FD - $7,800, DK - $7,400)
Two out of three is not bad. There is no way we could foresee Korpisalo getting yanked on Thursday night much less Columbus coming back from a three-goal deficit. So, here is what we do.
Darcy Kuemper is slotted at a reasonable price on FanDuel at $7,800 and can thrive under a higher volume of shots. Kuemper has been mostly great in this series against the Predators and has needed to be his usual Vezina caliber self. The day of rest should have done himself some good. He is used to playing three games in four nights and will have to due to an injury to Antti Raanta.
Jacob Markstrom can be considered as well but make sure he starts first. It is very likely but always confirm first. No one wants a goose egg at this stage. If one feels queasy about playing a goaltender on a back to back, roll the dice on Carey Price. At the very least, he should face 35+ shots again.
We will be in the slack chat throughout the afternoon and evening. Also, if there are any other questions, the expert chat will be open through Saturday. Good luck today.
