Nine games make up the 3/15/18 NHL DFS slate with some massive contests over at DraftKings and FanDuel. And of course, these picks and plays can be used in your daily fantasy hockey strategy at FantasyDraft.
If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter at @chrismeaney. I’ll be updating throughout the day as we hear about morning skates and get confirmation in goal.
Centers
Sidney Crosby @ MON ($7.4 DK / $8.9 FD)
Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin? It’s hard to get both in, but it can be done. Malkin has been more productive and shoots the puck a bit more, but Crosby will save you a few bucks. This Penguins team leads the NHL in goals in 2018, and the Canadiens have allowed a league-high 26 power-play goals since Jan. 1, including 10 in their last seven games. Montreal has a laundry list of injuries and are playing a lot of kids on the back-end. As a result, they are top five in shots and goals against over the last month. Take advantage of it.
Evgeny Kuznetsov @ NYI ($5.5 DK / $7.2 FD)
The same logic is in play with Washington’s two top centers; both are in play, and the matchup is right. The Islanders lead the league in goals allowed and shots against. Evgeny Kuznetsov has four multi-point showings in his last eight games. Nicklas Backstrom will save you some cash, but Kuznetsov is skating alongside Alex Ovechkin at the moment, and you better believe he’s on a push for 50 goals. He has 14 shots in his last two games.
Riley Nash @ FLA ($5.6 DK / $5.7 FD)
In the month of March, the Bruins are first in goals (33), second in shots (258), and first in power-play opportunities (29) and power-play goals (11). Boston has played a wide open brand of hockey since Patrice Bergeron suffered a foot injury, and it’s wise to take advantage of some discounts in their lineup. Riley Nash has four multi-point games in his last eight with 10 points over that span. His linemates Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have combined for 27 points in their last seven games. Nash is the cheapest way to get a piece of one of the hottest lines going.
Others to consider: Nazem Kadri, Jeff Carter, David Krejci, Kyle Turris
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Wingers
Patrik Laine vs. CHI ($7.4 DK / $8.3 FD)
Just play Patrik Laine until he cools off. The Jets winger has 13 goals and 17 points in his last 10 games. Laine fired eight shots on goal in his last game and gets a Blackhawks squad tonight that has allowed the sixth-most shots this month and the most goals. The loss of Paul Stastny has Laine skating alongside playmaker Blake Wheeler, which is great for Laine’s game.
Artemi Panarin @ PHI ($6.7 DK / $7.5 FD)
Artemi Panarin is on a tear right now with points in five straight and 11 of 12. The bread man has racked up nine assists to go along with six goals over that span. He’s also put a ton of rubber on net: 29 shots in his last eight games. The Blue Jackets have won five of their seven games this month. Meanwhile, Philly has cooled off with losses in six of their seven games, and their 26 goals allowed are the second most. The Panarin-Dubois-Atkinson line is the one to look at rostering in Columbus.
Tyler Toffoli vs. DET ($5.7 DK / $6.1 FD)
Detroit has allowed the eighth most shots and the fourth most goals over the last month, and they’ve surrendered at least four goals in five of their past six games. Tyler Toffoli has been much better since Jeff Carter has returned to the lineup as he has points in seven of his past 11. He’s also had games over that span where he’s finished with five, six and eight shots on goal. Toffoli may even come low owned in tournaments.
Artturi Lehkonen vs. PIT ($3.4 DK / $4.6 FD)
Artturi Lehkonen is worth a look tonight in tournaments due to his recent play, opportunity, and price. Lehkonen plays in all situations and has three goals in his last two games. Two came on the power play. The sophomore has been quiet for most of the season after scoring 18 goals last year, but he has nine shots in his last two games and continues to get more and more ice each game. The Penguins looked awful in the third last night and have allowed at least four goals in four of their last eight games.
Others to consider: Mitch Marner, Jordan Eberle, T.J. Oshie, Riley Sheahan, Nick Bjugstad, Jake Guentzel
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Defensemen
Justin Schultz @ MON ($4.6 DK / $4.7 FD)
As highlighted, this is a great spot for the Penguins tonight. While many may spend up for Kris Letang, which is fine, Justin Schultz is much cheaper and has some upside as well. Schultz has hit the score sheet in three of his past six games, and he continues to get power play time on the second unit.
Dustin Byfuglien vs. CHI ($5.6 DK / $6.2 FD)
Dustin Byfuglien has returned value consistently for a couple weeks now. He’s totaled eight points, 32 shots, and 19 blocks in his last 10 games. Thirteen of those 19 blocks came in his last four games where he’s averaged 28 minutes of ice time per game. He’s one of the few defensemen you can plug in and feel safe about not putting up a zero.
Others to consider: Tyson Barrie, Rasmus Ristolainen, Matt Niskanen, P.K. Subban, Erik Gustafsson
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Goalies
Philipp Grubauer @ NYI ($7.5 DK / $8.2 FD)
There’s really no reason for Philipp Grubauer to be this cheap. He’s allowed two goals or fewer in seven straight starts and picked up a shutout over the weekend. He has control of the starting job in Washington right now thanks to six wins in his last seven starts and a 2.23 GAA and .926 SV% on the season.
Sergei Bobrovsky @ PHI ($7.6 DK / $9.1 FD)
As mentioned above, the Blue Jackets and Flyers are headed in opposite directions during the month of March. Sergei Bobrovsky has won three in a row and six of his last eight games. He’s allowed two or fewer in seven of those eight games. Plus, he took care of the Flyers in Philly back on Feb. 22. In fact, he’s won both meetings against his former team this season, stopping 48 of the 51 shots he’s faced against them.
Others to consider: Curtis McElhinney (FanDuel)
