This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze five key NHL players in the day’s slate. The series does not provide play or fade recommendations. It provides analysis.
Today’s five-game slate begins at 7 pm ET
Roman Josi: Defenseman, Predators ($6,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel)
Roman Josi is the top-rated player in the PSUFANS2 Model and is in a supreme spot tonight. He is one of several Nashville players who will be heavily owned given the affordability of the Predators’ top line, their slate-high implied total of 3.5 goals and their slate-high expected fantasy points total. Josi leads all players with 11 FanDuel Pro Trends and trails only Alexander Ovechkin with nine on DraftKings. Much has been said in past articles about Josi’s high peripheral floor: He leads all players on the slate in shots+blocks per game this season at 4.79. His peripheral stats have regressed over the past month (4.08 shots+blocks per game), but he has remained productive by registering two goals and nine assists in his last 12 games. As the anchor on the league’s second-ranked power play, Josi should have chances to continue that production tonight against Vegas’ 26th-ranked penalty kill.
Patrick Kane: Winger, Blackhawks ($7,800 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)
Patrick Kane is the top-rated forward in the PSUFANS2 Model. Similar to Nashville, Chicago will be chalky tonight against the Sabres. The Blackhawks have the slate’s second-highest implied total at 3.2 goals, and they have the highest mark on our Team Ratings page. A Buffalo native, Kane has victimized the Sabres consistently throughout his career. In 13 career games against the Sabres, Kane has eight goals and seven assists, and he has averaged 4.7 shots per game. This is a great opportunity for him to bounce back after going three straight games without a point. Before this minor slump, he was red hot, piling up five goals and eight assists while averaging 4.33 shots per game over a nine-game stretch.
Brandon Saad: Winger, Blackhawks ($5,400 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel)
Brandon Saad is skating on Chicago’s top line at a modest price, and he is the third-rated forward in the PSUFANS2 Model. He has the potential to break out on any given night as he has averaged 3.0 shots on goal over the past month and registered six or more shots a handful of times this season. He’ll have plenty of chances to rack up shots tonight, as the Blackhawks lead the slate in Corsi For in the past month while the Sabres are second worst in Corsi Against. All of this combined with the Vegas lines and Chicago’s matchup will lead to inflated ownership.
Alex Tuch: Winger, Golden Knights ($3,700 DraftKings, $3,900 FanDuel)
Finding value among forwards is a consistent challenge in NHL DFS. Alex Tuch provides plenty of value, as well as upside, in what should be a fast-paced game against Nashville. Tuch has exceeded fantasy-based expectations in seven of his last ten games with a +1.26 Plus/Minus on DraftKings. He has points in three straight games, and he had seven shots a couple nights ago against Anaheim. DFS players will look to players in Tuch’s price range as they attempt to fit players from Chicago and Nashville into their lineups.
Pekka Rinne: Goaltender, Predators ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel)
Although paying down for goaltenders is typically ideal, paying up for Pekka Rinne tonight makes a lot of sense. He is the top-rated goaltender in the PSUFANS2 Model, and he ranks first in projected saves. The Golden Knights are second on the slate in Corsi For in the last month, and Nashville ranks in the bottom ten in the league in shots against this season. Perhaps most importantly, the Predators are also big favorites at home, increasing the likelihood that he gets the win.
Updates
After this piece is published, FantasyLabs is likely to provide updates regarding projected lines and starting goaltenders. Be sure to stay ahead of your competition with our Team Lines page.
