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It’s a quiet night in the NHL with just two games. Both games are rematches, as Vancouver beat Ottawa 7-1 on Monday, and Nashville topped Chicago 3-2 on Tuesday. Interestingly, the Senators (4.5), Canucks (4.45) and Blackhawks (3.71) have allowed the most goals per game in the league, so there’s potential for a pair of high-scoring games. In a small player pool, it’s often advantageous to target a few contrarian options and high-floor contributors on DraftKings.
Set your DraftKings fantasy hockey lineups here: NHL $50K Twine [$10K to 1st]
Top Line Stacks
Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators
J.T. Miller ($5,900) - Elias Pettersson ($6,200) - Brock Boeser ($5,800)
It’s been the Bo Horvat ($7,000) line doing most of the damage for Vancouver to start the year, so pivoting to Pettersson, Miller and Boeser has against-the-grain potential. Although, in a small player pool, they’ll likely still be popular targets. Regardless, the trio has clicked for 5.47 goals per 60 minutes dating back to last season, and Ottawa has allowed a league-high 4.5 tallies per game. Having all three skating on the No. 1 power-play unit is also a plus.
Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Mikael Granlund ($3,400) - Matt Duchene ($5,000) - Luke Kunin ($4,000)
Granlund was the only one of the three to find the scoresheet Tuesday, but the trio drove possession with a 70.0 Corsi For percentage to improve to a 69.5 mark over the past three games. With five high-danger scoring chances during the stretch, positive offensive regression is ahead. Chicago allowed at least three goals for the fifth time in seven games Tuesday, and the Blackhawks have surrendered the fourth most goals per hour in the league this season, so the matchup is favorable for Nashville.
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Superstar to Build Around
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators ($8,000) - If there’s a standalone player to target, Kane’s a solid option. He’s found the scoresheet and posted double-digit fantasy points in five of seven games this season. Additionally, after failing to even attempt a shot through 20:58 of ice time in Tuesday’s game, the veteran winger is in a bounce-back spot. It’s also worth noting that Nashville has the worst penalty-kill percentage in the league with 10 power-play goals surrendered through six games.
Value on Offense
Drake Batherson, Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks ($4,800) - While the winger has cooled down with just a single assist through the past five games, Batherson continues to be dangerous. He was on the ice for five high-danger scoring chances in Monday’s loss, and he remains in a go-to offensive role. Additionally, Batherson has attempted 26 shots without finding the back of the net, so there’s statistical correction ahead in the goals column. Plus, Vancouver has surrendered the second most goals per game in the league.
Nils Hoglander, Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators ($3,900) - The 20-year-old rookie is locked into a scoring roll and has found the scoresheet in three consecutive games. He’s also been on the ice for a team-high 14.32 high-danger scoring chances per hour. With Ottawa’s noted defensive struggles, Hoglander is a nice source of cap relief.
Stud Goalies
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks ($8,100) - Look for a rebound showing from Saros after he saved just 34 of 42 shots in consecutive losses to the Stars. The Preds smothered the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Chicago registered just 20 shots and five high-danger scoring chances, and Nashville won the 5-on-5 possession battle with a 61.9 Corsi For percentage. Just expect Saros to be a popular target.
Kevin Lankinen, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators ($7,300) - The rookie enters with consecutive wins while saving 55 of 58 shots. As noted, Nashville pushed the envelope in Tuesday’s 3-2 win, but they only generated five high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five. Additionally, for the year, the Preds rank fourth last in the category with just 7.43 per 60 minutes. Lankinen could pad his point total with a lot of low-danger saves.
Value on Defense
Alexander Edler, Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators ($4,300) - While Edler is no longer receiving consistent power-play time, his shorthanded time is up, and the veteran is still a willing shot-blocker. He’s earned the three-block bonus twice already this season and offers a respectable fantasy floor as a result. Just note that Edler is probably more of a price-fit target than lineup building block.
Dante Fabbro, Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks ($2,900) - In a small player pool, Fabbro offers a respectable floor and cap relief. The 22-year-old defenseman will probably always be a better real-world contributor than fantasy producer, but he’s still a good bet to move the needle. As noted, the matchup is soft, and Fabbro’s collected two helpers, 12 shots and nine blocks through six games.
Power-Play Defenseman
Thomas Chabot, Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks ($5,700) - Roman Josi ($6,500) and Quinn Hughes ($6,300) are probably the top defense options, so the Ottawa power-play quarterback could fly under the radar while offering similar upside. Chabot has averaged 5:07 of ice time per game with the man advantage, and Vancouver ranks 24th in the league with a 71.4 penalty-kill percentage.
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators ($5,200) - With Nashville’s penalty-kill struggles in mind, Keith is worth considering as a price-point fit. The 37-year-old defenseman is past his prime and doesn’t have the power-play acumen of years past, but Keith has still collected five helpers — three with the man advantage — through seven games, and he chips in the shots and blocked shots columns.
Set your DraftKings fantasy hockey lineups here: NHL $50K Twine [$10K to 1st]
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