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 slate offers three games, including the first game for the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Despite being a small slate, there is plenty to be excited about.
Tyler Seguin: Center, Stars ($7,400 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel)
The Dallas Stars open their season tonight as the slate’s biggest favorite, and they possess the highest implied total on the slate at 3.4 goals. Tyler Seguin will be looking to get off to a quick start, as he is coming off of his first season with fewer than 30 goals since being traded to Dallas. He is likely to have opportunities to do just that against a Golden Knights roster that leaves much to be desired. Seguin leads the slate in shots per game at 3.67, and he leads all forwards in shots+blocks per game at 3.99. It deserves mention that for the first time in recent memory, Seguin has two line mates capable of filling the net in Jamie Benn and Alex Radulov. It also doesn’t hurt that Seguin scored a pair of goals and piled up eight shots in his last game, albeit a preseason contest against Minnesota.
Vladislav Namestnikov: Center, Lightning ($4,900 DraftKings, $4,100 FanDuel)
Vladislav Namestnikov is a top-end talent who will play with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on Tampa Bay’s first line, which holds the highest rating on the slate at 89. Namestnikov, who boasts a 98 percent Bargain Rating on FanDuel, will also see time on the Lightning’s top power play unit, which led the league with 62 goals in the 2016-17 season. The Panthers’ penalty kill was second in the league last year at 85.3 percent, but they lost one of their best penalty killers when Reilly Smith was traded to Las Vegas. Tampa Bay has an implied total of 3.2 and has scored three or more goals in their last four home games against the Panthers.
Victor Hedman: Defenseman, Lightning ($5,800 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel)
Victor Hedman is the highest-rated defensive player in the CSURAM88 Model. Despite being the highest-priced defenseman as well, he is still affordable and is one of three defensemen with at least six Pro Trends. Of all defensive players above $4,500 on DraftKings, Hedman is tied for the highest Bargain Rating (87 percent). In addition, Hedman anchors the Lightning’s top powerplay unit, leading all players on the slate with an average time on ice of almost 25 minutes per game. Hedman is in play in all formats.
Aaron Ekblad: Defenseman, Panthers ($4,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel)
Like Hedman, Aaron Ekblad has six DraftKings Pro Trends and is affordable. Ekblad leads all defensemen in shots on goal per game with 3.41, and he ranks second in shots on goal+blocks per game at 4.22, giving Ekblad a nice peripheral floor against one of the league’s better offenses, which should give him plenty of chances to block shots. The former No. 1 overall pick will play big minutes with Keith Yandle, who also rates highly in the CSURAM88 Model. Ekblad is slotted on the point of the Panthers’ top power play unit, which should be more consistent this season if they have better luck with injuries.
Marc-André Fleury: Goaltender, Golden Knights ($6,700 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel)
There are plenty of questions surrounding the Las Vegas Golden Knights as they make their NHL debut tonight against Dallas. The capability of their starting goaltender is not one of those questions. With little separating the three highest-priced goalies on the slate, Fleury enters the game as an intriguing option in guaranteed prize pools. Fleury is the cheapest projected starter on the slate and has a 90 percent DraftKings Bargain Rating, and he’s facing a Dallas team that attempted 46.95 shots per game last season. Targeting goalies projected to face a high volume of shots makes sense, especially when that goaltender has proven to be capable of stealing a game.
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.
