Each day throughout the NHL season I am going to be recommending players to target in your DFS lineups with the focus on tournament lineups (with DraftKings prices). I will try to avoid posting the obvious plays on a given night — for example Tyler Seguin is an automatic play for me every day he plays.
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RW – Vlad Tarasenko ($7,700) – STL
Tarasenko has been on a tear this season which was expected. I don’t expect him to slow down about the Buffalo Sabres tonight. A mini-stack with him and David Backes ($4,800) is very appealing. Tarasenko is on pace for 50 goals this season and is averaging over four shots a game. The Sabres are a MUCH improved defensive team from last season but for Tarasenko it is still a favourable matchup.
C – Ryan Johansen ($5,500) – CBJ
The Blue Jackets are visiting the Senators tonight in a battle of two teams who struggle defensively. I expect this game to be a fairly high-scoring contest. Pinnacle has this game as one of the four games with a over/under set at 5.5 therefore they expect to be a high-scoring game as well. Between returning from fatigue issues and new coach Tortorella, Johansen had seen his ice time drop as late but last game he played over 20 minutes — and despite him playing less time lately he has still been producing with seven points in his last ten games. I expect CBJ to score tonight and Johansen should be apart of that.
C – Melker Karlsson ($3,700) – SJS
Melker missed the start of the season recovering from an injury but on return was back to playing with Thornton and Pavelski. Karlsson has three points in four games and is averaging over sixteen minutes of ice time. Playing onside top talent in the Joe’s and at his price point Karlsson is a very appealing play tonight especially against a team in the Flyers who struggle defensively. This is another game on the schedule that I expect to be a high-scoring affair.
C – Vladislav Namestnikov ($2,900) – TBL
The Lightning have been struggling offensively which is a surprise and with several injuries they are getting thin up front. Namestnikov was placed on Stamkos’ line last week and has been playing well. He played a career high 20:39 last game versus the Panthers. I would consider Namestnikov a contrarian and value play as it is unlikely many people will be rostering Tampa Bay players versus King Henrik and the Rangers today.
D – Shayne Gostisbehere ($2,700) – PHI
Ghost, as many like to call him, was called up recently as Mark Streit was placed on the injured reserve. Ghost is a highly-touted Flyers prospect with solid offensive upside. He has a goal and an assist in two games this season. He was a great success for my lineups last game as he scored and compiled 5.5 points at the minimum 2,500 price tag. I expect many more people will roster Gostisbehere tonight but again at this price tag I just can’t pass it up.
D – Kevin Shattenkirk ($4,700) – STL
Like I said about Tarasenko, I like this matchup for the Blues. Shattenkirk was eased back into the lineup upon return from his injury but he now back to his normal role playing over 20 minutes a game and anchoring the PP. He has a goal and three assists in his last three games. With Colton Parayko likely out with an injury again tonight Shattenkirk will not lose any ice time to the rookie. Shattenkirk-Gotisbehere will be a staple of both my cash and GPP lineups today.
Featured Image Credit: By Lisa Gansky (Flickr: IMG_3214) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
