This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze three key NHL players in the day’s slate. The series does not provide play or fade recommendations. It provides analysis.
Richard Panik: Winger, Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have been arguably the best team in the NHL over the last decade, with three Stanley Cups in the last seven seasons. Although the Blackhawks have relied on the same core throughout their run, Richard Panik has had an incredible campaign this year. Since joining Chicago in the middle of last season, he has faced the Nashville Predators a total of seven times (per our Trends tool):
Needless to say, Panik has had success. While the seven-game sample is small, his absurd +9.34 Plus/Minus and 71.4 percent Consistency Rating on FanDuel are hard to ignore. Expected to line up with Jonathan Toews and Nick Schmaltz, Panik and his linemates are likely to have lower ownership than the Blackhawks’ more offensive line of Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin, and Artem Anisimov.
Toews: DFS Scouting Report
Panik’s line warrants some stacking consideration in guaranteed prize pools. With our Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS rosters, and Pro subscribers can review ownership trends across GPPs of various stakes with our DFS Ownership Dashboard shortly after lineups lock.
Ryan Kesler: Center, Ducks
For whatever it’s worth, the Calgary Flames have not won a hockey game in Anaheim since 2006. Over the last two seasons, Ryan Kesler has been a major factor in games between these two teams:
That production is clearly incredible. In five of these games, Kesler has managed to put up at least 29 FanDuel points, with three of those coming on home ice. With how Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell finished the season, their line is likely to have higher ownership, making the line of Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano an enticing option in guaranteed prize pools.
Silfverberg: DFS Scouting Report
Braden Holtby: Goalie, Capitals
The Toronto Maple Leafs blew a 2-0 lead in the final game of the season and as a consequence now have to play the best team in the NHL, the Capitals. Per our Vegas Dashboard, Washington is by far the biggest favorite on the slate:
Despite being the most expensive goalie tonight, Braden Holtby is probably the best option and has one of the highest ratings at any position in our Player Models. On home ice this season, Holtby has been incredible with a 66.2 percent Consistency Rating (on both DraftKings and FanDuel). A strong option in cash games, Holtby is also intriguing for GPPs: The Maple Leafs are an offensive team and should be able to generate a bunch of shots, giving Holtby the opportunity to rack up some saves to go along with the likely win.
Holtby: DFS Scouting Report
Good luck, and be sure to watch our FREE Eastern Conference and Western Conference editions of Inside the Lab on our Premium Content Portal!
