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 we have a small three-game slate that starts at 7:00 pm ET.
Henrik Zetterberg: Center, Red Wings ($5,900 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel)
The Detroit Red Wings are second on the slate with a -170 moneyline, and Henrik Zetterberg is the highest-rated center in the CSURAM88 Model. After starting the season 4-1, the Red Wings have struggled as of late, going 1-5-1 over their last seven games. Tonight is a great chance to bounce back as they are taking on the Arizona Coyotes, who are on the tail end of a back-to-back and will likely have Antti Raanta in net, making his first start since being injured on October 12. Although Zetterberg has struggled over the last week, he has still managed to average three shots per game during his scoring slump, which bodes well as Arizona is dead last in the league with 4.25 goals against per game.
Eric Staal: Center, Wild ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel)
Eric Staal and the Minnesota Wild have an implied Vegas total of 3.0 goals and have the third-highest moneyline at -135. In nine games this season, Staal has scored four goals and put up seven points while averaging 3.3 shots per game. Historically, forwards putting up similar shot totals as home favorites have a +1.67 FanDuel Plus/Minus with a 51.1 percent Consistency Rating. Staal leads all forwards among the Wild with 13 Corsi For per game. The opposing Winnipeg Jets have allowed 34.7 shots per game, which is the fourth most in the NHL.
Blake Wheeler: Winger, Jets ($7,100 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel)
The Winnipeg Jets are in Minnesota, and even though their implied Vegas total is just 2.6 goals this game has a 5.5 over/under, so we could be in for a high-scoring game. Blake Wheeler leads the slate as the highest-rated forward in the CSURAM88 Model as well as the only forward with seven Pro Trends. He is coming into this game fresh off a hat trick with 12 points in his first 10 games of the season and 3.5 shots per game. There is no reason to expect his production to dip, as he is second among forwards on the Jets with 20:37 of ice time, including 3:09 of power play time per game. Wheeler lines up on the wing with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor at even strength, and the trio stays together on the No. 1 power play unit, making the full-line stack an elite upside play.
Jacob Trouba: Defense, Jets ($4,800 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel)
Jacob Trouba has been one of the more reliable defensemen this season, exceeding his salary-based expectations in 60 percent of his games partially because of his solid floor, as he’s averaged 4.61 shots+blocks over the last year. Defensemen averaging similar shots+blocks have historically had a +1.20 FanDuel Plus/Minus as well as a 46.9 Consistency Rating. Additionally, they’ve had 13.4 percent ownership rates, so DFS players have historically known to roster these high-floor plays. While Trouba has struggled on offense this season, he put up 33 points in 60 games last season, so he seems likely to experience progression as the season goes on.
Henrik Lundqvist: Goalie, Rangers ($7,400 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel)
Anybody who follows the NHL knows that Henrik Lundqvist has struggled, but the New York Rangers are the largest favorites on the slate with a -215 moneyline. Through nine games, he has a 3.12 goals against average and .900 save percentage. Tonight, though, is the perfect spot for him to turn his season around. The New York Rangers are home to the Vegas Golden Knights, who are playing their second game in as many nights and have been overachieving in their franchise’s first season. Their team shooting percentage of 12.6 percent especially stands out, as the historic NHL average is just over nine percent, and Vegas is a bad offensive team on paper. Lundqvist has historically been a slow starter, with a career 2.51 goals against average and .916 save percentage in October, both of which are worse than his career averages of 2.33 and .919. Although it is still technically October, this is a great spot for Lundqvist to improve against a team likely to regress soon.
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.
