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Chris Wassel's top DraftKings and FanDuel NHL DFS value plays and research for October 27th, including DFS analysis for goalies, power plays, and stacks.
The NHL season has hit week number three! Some hockey trends have established themselves but many are still to come. 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 Wednesday, October 27th, 2020 at 7:00 PM. 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 [email protected] or via Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/27
We feature a modest five-game slate, featuring the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Edmonton Oilers.
There is some news worth mentioning. The Vegas Golden Knights are on the back end of a back-to-back in Dallas. Also, there is the Chicago Blackhawks fallout which could impact the Florida Panthers.
The goal will be to keep things as simple as possible. Our focus will be as much on interactions on social media and in chatrooms. This is because news and numbers have become that fluid now. Everything changes at a breakneck pace.
NHL DFS Goalies
Braden Holtby - DK $7.7K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Vegas Golden Knights
The question is who to choose goaltending-wise on Wednesday night. Most anyone is scared to death at seeing Carter Hart going up against a rested Edmonton team. Now, Braden Holtby carries some risk but Dallas' now starting goaltender has allowed just ten goals in five games on the season. Facing an unrested Vegas team helps here and the Golden Knights still generate some shot volume even with their injuries.
Mikko Koskinen - DK $8.1K || FD $7.8K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
The Edmonton goaltender faces the Flyers in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Now, there is always a ticking time clock with Koskinen and so far in three starts, he has allowed just five goals. Mike Smith may be back as soon as Saturday so this may be Koskinen's last chance to impress. Edmonton did yield 39 shots over the weekend. Hopefully, the shot volume is there on Wednesday or something close.
Stay tuned during the day for potential goaltending pivots.
NHL DFS Centers
Leon Draisaitl - DK $8.2K || FD $9.2K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
The idea is to keep things simple and stack Edmonton against Carter Hart and the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia could be rusty against two of the faster forwards in the universe. Yes, Connor McDavid ($9,000 DK, $9,500 FD) can be considered. If one were to go double-center here, it is okay on a shorter slate. Would I do it? Take a shot as a flier. Draisaitl gives one power-play exposure and can allow for other stacking Edmonton options, especially on DraftKings.
Evgeni Kuznetsov - DK $6.4K || FD $7.8K
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
Kuznetsov might have finally got the message this offseason. He had a rough game against Ottawa but does have nine points in six games this season. That includes four games of 3+ shots on goal which had been almost unheard of for the Russian. If anything, the Washington power play may be due against a bottom-third caliber penalty kill in the Detroit Red Wings. This could be a far more entertaining game than people think.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Larkin (DK $7.0K || FD $6.2K), Bennett (DK $5.5K || FD $6.6K)
NHL DFS Wings
Tyler Bertuzzi - DK $6.9K || FD $5.0K
Opponent - Washington Capitals
There are just a few different ways to look at the structure on Wednesday evening but Tyler Bertuzzi amusingly is priced very low on FanDuel. Price discrepancies are easier to find this time of year. Bertuzzi had a goal and two assists against a vulnerable down-the-middle Chicago Blackhawks team. Washington falls somewhat under the same pattern. The Detroit winger has six goals on the season already and could pad his total on Wednesday much like Alex Ovechkin could as well. A shorter slate lends credence to game-stacking this tilt. Do not forget about a cheaper Lucas Raymond as well from Detroit.
Owen Tippett - DK $2.7K || FD $3.6K
Opponent - Boston Bruins
This is one of the more intriguing plays of the slate. Getting away from playing against that Boston "perfection line" could be advantageous. Tippett playing on the second line is beneficial to everyone involved. He has points in two straight games and looks far more comfortable there. There is little risk because of Tippett's salary. Let's be honest. It's a punt play much like Zack Kassian. It is not because Tippett has a bit more goal-scoring skill. Short slates can be characterized by taking some swings and this is a big one on Wednesday night.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Giroux (DK $6.5K || FD $6.1K, Pastrnak (DK $7.6K || FD $8.6K), Seguin (DK $5.3K || FD $6.7K -- Seguin is a C on FD), Dadonov (DK $3.2K || FD $4.1K.
NHL DFS Defensemen
Miro Heiskanen - DK $5.1K || FD $6.2K
Opponent - Vegas Golden Knights
The Dallas Stars' defenseman will keep shooting. That seemed to be the message in training camp. Miro Heiskanen has 19 shots on goal already. He still averages 1.5 blocks per game on the season. Add in the two goals and four assists and Heiskanen becomes an even more solid option (especially on DraftKings). It is odd that his salary is this low against an unrested team but Dallas is still being undervalued as a whole. See Tyler Seguin again. The goal is to keep searching for defensemen to exploit salary differential to afford to spend up elsewhere.
Evan Bouchard - DK $4.3K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
Evan Bouchard would be intriguing on the power-play but it will take some time to get used to. It makes too much sense for a high-volume shooter who hits the net well. Bouchard playing with Darnell Nurse has proven to be highly beneficial to both. The question is how long does this pairing stick? Hopefully, it is for a good while. Bouchard played over 24 minutes in Vegas and blocked a couple of shots but missed a few opportunities. Expecting a bounce back on Wednesday is likely and Bouchard is still a bit low in terms of salary. One can always spend up to Darnell Nurse for stacking purposes.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ekblad (DK $6.6K || FD $7.0K), Carlson (DK $5.3K || FD $6.4K), McNabb (DK $3.4K || FD $3.7K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- EDM1
- FLA2
- TOR1
- PHI1
Chris’s Line Stack of the Day
FLA: Huberdeau-Bennett-Tippett
Obvious Stack
EDM: McDavid-Draisaitl-Nurse (If Power Play units hold)
Sneaky Stack
DAL: Segui-Faksa-Heiskanen
Please keep in mind that there will be many shifts in lines with most teams especially early. Dallas has tended to shift things all-around in morning skates. Be mindful.
NHL Player News and Updates
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
