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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have another action-packed Saturday slate.
In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Be sure to keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.
If you have any questions about further strategy and managing the slate, feel free to chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).
Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Edmonton Oilers L1 - Connor Brown ($2.9K/$4.8K) - Connor McDavid ($10K/$9K) - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($4.8K/$6.2K)
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
My top line to target will be traveling to Chicago to face the Blackhawks, who have allowed the eighth-highest Expected Goals Per 60 this season, according to MoneyPuck.
This top line, led by superstar Connor McDavid, has generated a strong 67.6% xGoals and a stellar 3.71 xGoals Per 60 in just over the first 50 minutes of shared ice time.
CONNOR MCDAVID BREAKAWAY GOAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/InfSFVg0S6
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 8, 2025
McDavid tallied four points over his past four games and posted an impressive 12-game point streak throughout most of December. During this stretch, he tallied 23 points.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is currently riding a five-game point streak, while Connor Brown has tallied three points in his past five. Given how well this line generates offensive opportunities, in a favorable matchup, they are a high-upside stack.
Vegas Golden Knights L1 - Tanner Pearson ($3.2K/$4.8K) - Jack Eichel ($9.3K/$8.7K) - Mark Stone ($7.3K/$8.2K)
Opponent- New York Rangers
While the Golden Knights like to keep their top left wing spot open on a revolving door, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have remained locked onto their top line.
With Tanner Pearson moved up to the top line, this unit has generated an excellent 75% xGoals with a 5.30 xGoals Per 60 across their first 50 minutes together.
Eichel and Stone have both tallied five points over their past four games, while Pearson has tallied three.
Playing host to the plummeting New York Rangers, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60, sets this top line up for an excellent matchup. The Rangers have allowed 18 goals over their past four games.
Dallas Stars L1 - Jason Robertson ($5.9K/$6.9K) - Roope Hintz ($5.5K/$6.5K) - Evgenii Dadonov ($3.3K/$5.3K)
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
The Dallas Stars will be traveling to Montreal to face the Canadiens, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season.
This top unit has generated 50% xGoals with a strong 2.95 xGoals Per 60.
Over his past six games, Roope Hintz has scored four times and added one assist. Jason Robertson has been very impressive, tallying 11 points (three goals, eight helpers) in his past five contests, while Evgenii Dadonov has tallied eight points in his past seven.
It's a BRAND NEW game at Madison Square Garden. 💥
Jason Robertson steps up and provides a smooth backhander to tie things up at 3-3. The Stars trailed 3-0 at one point. 👀🤖 #TexasHockey
(via @DallasStars) pic.twitter.com/trloiigW9K
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) January 8, 2025
Even though the Canadiens have been better defensively, they allowed four goals in their previous game against, suggesting they are returning to form.
Philadelphia Flyers L2 - Scott Laughton ($3K/$5K) - Morgan Frost ($3.3K/$5.3K) - Matvei Michkov ($4.1K/$5.8K)
Opponent - Anahiem Ducks
My final top line to target is the second line in Philadelphia. The Flyers will host the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the most Expected Goals Per 60 this season.
This second line has generated an impressive 69.2% xGoals with a solid 3.44 xGoals Per 60, which should play well in a favorable matchup.
While this line has not been productive in the box score (only two combined points over its past five games), given how well it has generated chances, it suggests that it is due for some massive positive regression.
They carry some risk, but they could be in store for a massive night, given their underlying metrics. They have a high upside at a reasonably low cost.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- EDM L2
- STL L2
- TBL L1
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Back to back @DraftKings Fantasy Hockey World Championship trips! Let’s get the main prize this year! Thank you to @banksterdfs for the amazing daily fantasy content! @NHL pic.twitter.com/dONSvJMtIR
— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights ($5.7K/$6.3K)
Opponent - New York Rangers
My top defenseman to target is Shea Theodore. Theodore plays the QB1 on one of the top power-play units in the sport.
According to MoneyPuck, the Vegas power play has generated the second-most Expected Goals Per 60 while boasting a stellar 92.7% xGoals.
Over his past six contests, the 29-year-old has tallied five points (all helpers), including two of them on the power play. Facing a struggling Rangers team on their home ice makes Theodore a smash play with upside this evening.
Mikhail Sergachev - Utah Hockey Club ($5.7K/$6K)
Opponent - New York Islanders
Mikhail Sergachev has tallied nine points (one goal, eight assists) over his past 11 contests and is a strong play this evening against the New York Islanders.
The Islanders have struggled to defend the man advantage as they have allowed a hefty 8.78 Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed. While on the power play, Utah has generated the 11th-most Expected Goals.
Mikhail Sergachev - Utah Hockey Club (4)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/REPSGrR2lA— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 16, 2024
Sergachev is the QB1 on the top unit and has tallied five power-play points over the past 11 games. He has also logged at least one shot on goal and two blocks in each game over this span.
Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets ($9.1K/$7.7K)
Opponent - St. Louis Blues
Werenski has enjoyed a fantastic campaign and has a favorable matchup against the St. Louis Blues this evening.
The Blues have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed, which should set Werenski up for a productive evening.
Over his past eight games, the defenseman has tallied 16 points, including six on the power play. During this span, he has tallied at least five shots on goal in five of the games and three or more blocks in three.
Werenski carries a high floor with an elite ceiling in this contest, facing a struggling penalty kill.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($8.6K/$7.5K)
- Cam Fowler - St. Louis Blues ($3.9K /$5.2K)
- Evan Bouchard - Edmonton Oilers ($7K/$6.9K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Stuart Skinner - Edmonton Oilers ($8.5K/$8.2K)
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Stuart Skinner will be facing the Chicago Blackhawks, who have generated the fourth-lowest Expected Goals For Per 60 in five-on-five play this season.
In his previous start, Skinner struggled against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing five goals on 26 shots.
Before this poor showing, Skinner held a perfect 3-0 record with a stellar .963% SV and a 1.03 GAA over his previous three games. Facing a team that has struggled to generate high-scoring chances should set Skinner up for a nice bounce-back showing.
Joseph Woll - Toronto Maple Leafs ($8.2K/$7.9K)
Opponent - Vancouver Canucks
In his last start, Woll faced a hefty 33 shots and allowed a disappointing six goals.
However, before this game, Woll carried a five-game winning streak. Over this stretch, he has posted a .934% SV with a 2.00 GAA. Facing the Canucks, who have generated the second-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season, should put Woll in a great position to return to form.
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