Nine games make up the 3/26/18 NHL DFS slate with some massive contests over at DraftKings and FanDuel. 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
Jeff Carter vs. CGY ($5.7 DK / $6.4 FD)
The Calgary Flames have allowed 25 goals in their last five games and will be without Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk tonight. They are all but eliminated from the playoffs, while the Kings are very much in it. L.A. scored seven goals just two games ago, and they may come close to that number again. Jeff Carter has nine goals and 13 points in 15 games since returning from injury. His 49 shots over that span are the 19th most in the NHL. He’s a big time value tonight as are the rest of his teammates.
Dylan Larkin @ MON ($5.5 DK / $6.1 FD)
Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings with 213 shots on goal (35th overall among forwards) this season, and he leads all skaters on his team with 26 over the last two weeks. The Canadiens have allowed a league-high 479 shots on goal during the month of March, and at least five goals in two of their last three games. Carey Price typically owns Detroit (career 1.98 GAA), but he’s been everything but Carey Price this season as he’s allowed three plus goals in six of his last seven starts including 11 total across two games since returning from a concussion.
Tyler Bozak vs. BUF ($4.3 DK / $4.6 FD)
Tyler Bozak has four points in his last three games, and eight in his last seven. Three of those points have come on the power play, and his linemate JVR, has 11 points in his last six games. These two are hot, and because the Maple Leafs have three lines that can score on any night, playing Bozak not only means you’ll save some cash, but you may even get him low owned in tournaments. It’s hard not to lean Auston Matthews in cash.
Victor Ejdsell vs. SJ ($2.7 DK)
Victor Ejdsell will make his NHL debut tonight, and he’ll skate between Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad. It’s a pretty big opportunity for the 22-year-old who was acquired at the deadline from the Nashville Predators as part of the Ryan Hartman package. Ejdsell is unavailable on FanDuel, but worth a GPP shot here and there on DK.
Others to consider: Vincent Trocheck, Derek Stepan, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jordan Staal
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Wingers
Evander Kane @ CHI ($7.1 DK / $6.6 FD)
Evander Kane is a terrific value on FanDuel. He has two multi-goal games in the last five games, including a four goal performance. That’s what happens when you shoot the puck as much as Kane does. He has at least four shots on goal in seven straight games and nine of his last 11. Chicago has allowed the third most shots, the most goals and the second most power play goals in March.
Nick Bjugstad @ NYI ($6.0 DK / $5.6 FD)
The Florida Panthers lead the NHL in shots per game, and they’ve put a league-high 468 pucks on goal this month. Tonight, they draw an Islanders team that has allowed the most shots and goals this season. New York allowed seven goals to the highest scoring team last week, and they’ve allowed at least four goals in four of their last six games. The can score as well, so stacking this game is a pretty good idea. Nick Bjugstad is one of the cheaper options, and he leads his team with 51 SOG over the last 30 days. Over that span, Bjugstad has 15 points, and his line has combined for 20 goals and 52 points.
Chris Kreider vs. WAS ($5.3 DK / $5.7 FD)
Chris Kreider’s price has only jumped a few hundred bucks despite three goals and 10 points over a current five-game point streak. His center, Mika Zibanejad, has 12 points over a seven-game point streak. Add in Jesper Fast (eight-game point streak), and it’s a very affordable trio or duo to target. Philipp Grubauer has allowed four plus goals in two of his last three games, and the Rangers have scored three plus in 10 straight.
Valentin Zykov vs. OTT ($4.0 DK / $3.3 FD)
Valentin Zykov’s ownership was high over the weekend and it likely will be again given his price and the matchup. Ottawa has allowed 18 goals in its last three games, including five to Carolina this past Saturday. To make matters worse, they’ll be without Erik Karlsson tonight. Zykov has 48 goals in his last two seasons in the AHL, including 32 this year. He can score, and it’s carried over in his three games since his call up: 2G, 9 SOG, 2 AST. The 2013 second-round pick has been skating with Sebastion Aho and Teuvo Teravainen who have a combined 22 points over their last 10 games. Aho has 11 points over a current eight-game point streak and is a strong play himself.
Others to consider: Mitch Marner, Anders Lee, Alex Galchenyuk, Anthony Mantha, Tom Wilson, Richard Panik, Tyler Johnson (skating in place of injured Steven Stamkos)
Defensemen
Drew Doughty vs. CGY (5.8 DK / $5.8 FD)
As highlighted, this is a great matchup against the Flames, and Drew Doughty has been playing heavy minutes as the Kings fight for a playoff spot. The former Norris winner has 11 points in his last nine games and has hit the 30 minute mark twice over that span.
Neal Pionk vs. WAS ($4.1 DK / $4.4 FD)
With the injuries and the rebuild, New York has given a lot of kids an opportunity to play and Neal Pionk has taken advantage of the ice time. Pionk has 10 points over a current seven-game point streak, which includes four power play points in his last five games. Pionk is averaging over 23 minutes a game over the last three weeks and has shown he can contribute across the board, for those playing with hits and blocks.
Thomas Chabot @ CAR ($3.7 DK / $3.6 FD)
Thomas Chabot scored a goal in his last game, but he only played 16 minutes with the return of Erik Karlsson. With no Karlsson tonight, Chabot should go back to the 22 and 25 minutes he played last week with him out of the lineup. Plus, he has points in five of his last nine games. Expect a boost in PP time as well.
Others to consider: John Carlson, Keith Yandle, Morgan Rielly, Trevor Daley, Jaccob Slavin
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Goalies
Jonathan Quick vs. CGY ($8.3 DK / $8.8 FD)
Jonathan Quick may be the safest goalie on the board tonight if you’re just looking for the win. Quick has won four of his last six games, meanwhile the Flames have lost five in a row and are missing their three best scorers.
Antti Raanta @ TB ($6.9 DK / $7.6 FD)
This is only for the people who play multiple lineups, but Raanta is dirt cheap and he’s won seven of his last nine starts. He has two shutouts with a 1.72 GAA & .950 SV% over his last 10 games. He should be low-owned, and the Bolts will be without Steven Stamkos and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Others to consider: Martin Jones, Frederik Andersen
