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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. Keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.
If you have questions about further strategy and managing the slate, please chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).
Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Toronto Maple Leafs L1 - Matthew Knies ($4.3K/$5.9K) - Auston Matthews ($9.3K/$8.8K) - Mitch Marner ($7.8K/$7.9K)
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be traveling to play Montreal, which has allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season. While it has been playing better as of late, it is still struggling to defend in its zone.
This top unit in Toronto has generated an impressive 61.3% xGoals and a stellar 3.67 xGoals Per 60 minutes.
AUSTON MATTHEWS DOING AUSTON MATTHEWS THINGS.
His 2nd of the game is an absolute MISSILE to tie it! 🚀😤 pic.twitter.com/1j0jPC7lzY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 17, 2025
Over his previous seven contests, Auston Matthews tallied 11 points (six goals, five points), while Mitch Marner has tallied 10 points over this stretch. This unit carries a high salary, but in a favorable matchup, they have one of the highest ceilings.
Vegas Golden Knights L1 - Ivan Barbashev ($4.1K/$6.7K) - Jack Eichel ($8.9K/$8.5K) - Mark Stone ($7.3K/$8.3K)
Opponent- Chicago Blackhawks
The Golden Knights will be facing the Chicago Blackhawks, who have allowed 11 goals over their previous three contests, setting up a fantastic matchup for the Golden Knights. Throughout the season, the Blackhawks have allowed the sixth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60.
This top unit, led by Jack Eichel, has logged over 200 minutes of shared ice time together and generated a solid 2.43 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes and 46.2% xGoals.
Eichel has battled an illness but has remained productive, tallying six points over his previous six. Right wing Mark Stone has scored four times and added five helpers over his past seven games. While Ivan Barbashev carries some risk, in a favorable matchup, this line should be very productive.
In addition, the Vegas power-play boasts the second-highest Expected Goals For Per 60, which raises its ceiling this evening.
New York Islanders L1 - Anders Lee ($5.7K/$6.7K) - Brock Nelson ($5K/$6K) - Mathew Barzal ($5.7K/$6.2K)
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
The New York Islanders will face the San Jose Sharks, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60. The Sharks have allowed at least three goals in each of their previous three contests.
This unit has been very productive this season, boasting an impressive 63% xGoals and an eye-catching 3.71 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes.
#Isles Brock Nelson with goals in back-to-back games. Huge 3rd period goal!
— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) January 12, 2025
Brock Nelson has posted two multi-point showings in two of his previous four games. Mathew Barzal has tallied seven points over his previous seven contests, including his first multi-point showing on January 11. Anders Lee has also been productive, scoring four goals over his past five games and averaging 3.85 shots on goal per game over this span.
Columbus Blue Jackets L1 - Dmitri Voronkov ($6.7K/$7.1K) - Adam Fantilli ($5K/$5.9K) - Kirill Marchenko ($7.7K/$8K)
Opponent - New York Rangers
My final top line to target this evening is Columbus. The Blue Jackets will be traveling to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers, who have begun to turn the corner but still carry poor underlying metrics. According to MoneyPuck, they have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during five-on-five play this season.
The Blue Jackets have shuffled their top six once again, with Sean Monahan (wrist) on injured reserve. This line, spearheaded by breakout right wing Kirill Marchenko, has generated 46.1% xGoals and 2.34 xGoals For Per 60.
Over his previous 10 contests, Marchenko has tallied an impressive 12 points (five goals, seven helpers), while center Adam Fantilli is currently riding a seven-game point streak.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- NYR L1
- WSH L2
- TBL L1
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— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning ($6.6K/$6.9K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
Victor Hedman will be facing the Detroit Red Wings, who boast the third-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed. Hedman is the QB1 of the Tampa Bay power play that has generated the 10th-highest Expected Goals For Per 60.
Hedman has tallied six points over his previous five contests and has tallied 14 shots on goal over this stretch. During this stretch, he has tallied two helpers on the power play.
Hedman should carry an elite offensive upside, especially on the power play.
Mikhail Sergachev - Utah Hockey Club ($5.6K/$5.9K)
Opponent - St. Louis Blues
Like Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev should also succeed on the man advantage facing the St. Louis Blues, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed.
While Sergachev has tallied just one point over his previous four games, prior to this cold stretch, he tallied six helpers (four on the power play) over his previous nine games, suggesting he is due to return to form
Jakob Chychrun - Washington Capitals ($5.5K/$6.2K)
Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins
My final defenseman to target is Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun currently shares power-play QB1 duties with John Carlson, but Chychrun has been more productive as of late. Over his previous seven games, Chychrun has tallied five points, with three coming on the power play.
CAPS WIN 🦅
Jakob Chychrun goes right down main street to with the game in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/uAL8BPGOfp
— NHL (@NHL) November 29, 2024
The Penguins have allowed the seventh-highest Expected Goals Against while short-handed and during five-on-five play, setting him up for a solid showing in both situations of the game.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Roman Josi - Nashville Predators ($7.5K/$7K)
- Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($5.8K /$6.7K)
- Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights ($5.6K/$6.6K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Darcy Kuemper - Los Angeles Kings ($7.9K/$7.8K)
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
Darcy Kuemper has enjoyed an impressive stretch of performances and is a top option on Saturday evening. Over his past five starts, Kuemper has held a 4-1 record with a near-perfect .971% SV and a 0.80 GAA.
The Kraken have generated the third-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season (2.11), setting Kuemper up for a strong showing.
Stuart Skinner - Edmonton Oilers ($7.9K/$7.9K)
Opponent - Vancouver Canucks
My other goaltender to target is Stuart Skinner, who will face the Vancouver Canucks, who have generated the lowest Expected Goals For Per 60. Over their past four games, they have scored just two goals.
Over his previous six games, Skinner has posted a strong 5-1 record with a .933% SV and a 1.88 GAA.
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
