-Hey Karma Nation-
Here we go again with a healthy amount of games to look at on a busy Saturday. There are 22 teams hitting the ice, but our focus will be on the 18 in the PM game set. Value is just one aspect of building a winning lineup. Please check out all the DFS Karma NHL content to help you succeed.
-Insights and player picks for tonight’s 9 game schedule-
- Teams with greatest chance to win: PIT, TOR, MON
- Highest implied totals: PHI@TOR, VGK@WSH, NSH@SJ
- Lowest implied totals: MIN@ARI, STL@CGY
- Lines to target: MON 1, TOR 1, PIT 2, SJ 2
Offense:
- Craig Smith NSH ($3600-DK, $4300-FD) Smith gets PP time on Pred’s 2nd unit and is the main reason why the 3rd scoring line has been outplaying the 2nd line recently. Nashville was embarrassed in a 9-4 loss to Colorado last game. I can see another high scoring game against the Shark’s 30th ranked defense.
- Nick Cousins MON ($2800-DK, $3200-FD) One of the league’s most active 3rd liners, he has taken 19 shots and tallied six points in only nine games so far. Cousins is a staple of Montreal’s top power play as well. The Canadians are one of tonight’s biggest favorites at home against the King’s mid-pack defense.
- Nick Bjugstad PIT ($3100-DK, $3900-FD) Just like Cousins, this Nick also plays on the top power play for the Pens, who are the biggest favorite to get a win on tonight’s schedule. He’s more of a gpp play for me, and is due for at least one point at home facing Chicago’s generous 23rd ranked defense.
Others to consider: Martin Necas CAR ($3400-DK, $3600-FD) Kasperi Kapanen TOR ($4000-DK, $4500-FD)
Defense:
- Juuso Riikola PIT ($2700-DK, $3500-FD) Joining Bjugstad on Pittsburgh’s top power play, Riikola is coming off his best game with an assist, four shots and a block in over 17 minutes against the Islanders two days ago.
- Radim Simek SJ ($3000-DK, $3500-FD) Has played two games and already has a goal on five shots and nine blocked shots. Simek is another example of how you can spend up for goalie and offense tonight, and still get an advantage with great low-priced blueliner options that give upside to your lineup.
Also consider: Dmitry Orlov WAS ($3300-DK, $3800-FD) Samuel Girard COL ($2600-DK, $3500-FD)
Goaltenders: (As of this writing, both are confirmed to start)
- Jordan Binnington STL ($7600-DK only) St Louis has won six games in a row with four of those victories coming on the road. Binnington has been a huge reason behind the Blues success, winning six of his last seven with a 2.46 GAA so far this season.
- Anders Nilsson OTT ($7300-FD only) Has been on a nice run lately, winning his last three starts while posting a 1.95 GAA. He gets a favorable home match up with Carolina, who is going in the other direction by losing their last three games.
(If you are spending up, I really like Darcy Kuemper ARI in goal at home against his old team.)
Enjoy the hockey action on the ice and I hope you cash all your lineups!
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