Key Skaters

C Nathan MacKinnon (COL)

So far so good for MacKinnon who returned after a two-game absence and has points in each of his three games (one goal, three assists) to this point. Early on this season, the Golden Knights are allowing the fifth-most scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5v5. More alarmingly Vegas is allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 at 5v5 and have the second-highest expected goals against rate per 60 at 5v5.

W Steven Stamkos (TB)

With Kucherov still out for Tampa, Stamkos has had to step up and is doing so with four goals and three assists in his last four games. This has been a pretty good rivalry for a while between Tampa and Pittsburgh and more often than not the scores have been pretty high. Stammer has seen 20+ minutes of ice time in each of his last two games, again, more of an emphasis has been put on the captain with Kucherov sidelined.

W Kyle Connor (WPG)

It’s hard to find a winger that’s been on a better roll than Connor right now for Winnipeg. He has six goals on the season and five of those have come over his last three games (one, two, two) and this is a stellar matchup for Connor to exploit. The Ducks are allowing the sixth-most shots per game at 5v5. The shot volumes has been key for Connor as he has five, six, and four pucks on net over his last three contests.

Favorite Line Stacks

Tampa Bay Lightning

Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat, Steven Stamkos

• I spoke of the recent play of Stamkos and how important he is about but the real diamond in the rough might be Brayden Point. At $6,400 Point is extremely affordable and getting how at the right time with goals in back-to-back games. The one negative when talking about Ondrej Palat ($5,500) is that he’s not part of the top power-play unit like but as a member of the top line he has two goals and an assist thus far.

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog

• This is coming as no surprise but this Avs stack or “420” is going to cost you a pretty penny. The results show, though that this is one of the more potent lines in the league year after year. I mentioned Vegas’ defensive issues thus far and that can be exploited by a strong Colorado team.

San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture, Timo Meier, Jonathan Dahlen, Brent Burns

• The Sharks offense has started off strong with at least four goals in four games to this point and much of that has to do with their top line. Couture, Meier, and Dahlen have the highest expected goals for rate per game (3.4) and the third-highest expected goals for rate per 60 minutes as a trio (of those with at least 25 minutes of ice time together. All three correlate on the top power-play unit along with defenseman Brent Burns who’s off to a slow start offensive. Nashville has left a lot to be desired defensively at times early on.

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm, Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk

• Even though they’re playing in their second game in as many nights I feel good about going back to the Flames’ top line which has been creating scoring chances and skating very well. Among forward lines with at least 25 minutes of ice time together, the Flames top trio has the fifth-highest shot attempts for percentage (or Corsi for) with a 3.79 goals for rate per 60 minutes together. New Jersey is challenged defensively and Lindholm, Gaudreau, and Tkachuk all skate on the top power-play unit as well.

Also consider:

Minnesota Wild

Frederick Gaudreau, Victor Rask, Kevin Fiala, Jared Spurgeon

Montreal Canadiens

Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson, Jonathan Drouin, Jeff Petry

Top Positional Skaters

*Not mentioned in “key skaters'” section. Last skater at each position is my favorite value

Center

• Brayden Point (TB)
• Nico Hischier (NJ)
• Logan Couture (SJ)
• Christian Dvorak (MTL)

Wing

• Mikko Rantanen (COL)
• Matthew Tkachuk (CGY)
• Timo Meier (SJ)
• Mike Hoffman (MTL)

Defense

• Roman Josi (NSH)
• Dougie Hamilton (NJ)
• Cale Makar (COL)
• Rasmus Andersson (CGY)
• Ryan McDonagh (TB)

Goalies

Connor Hellebuyck (WPG)

• Helly continues to see a ton of work and is standing tall in net for the Jets. Even though he might not see upwards of 40 shots in this matchup against the Ducks, somewhere around 32-35 is a reasonable expectation and I think the Jets win this game.

Darcy Kuemper (COL)

• If you’re win-hunting look at Kuemper who has a stout defensive unit in front of his that should limit high-danger chances. The floor is fairly solid with Kuemper but the upside might be limited.

Jake Allen (MTL)

• Despite it being in Seattle, the Canadiens are a team that I expect to travel into Kraken territory and come out with a win. Allen is priced favorably at $7,600

Jacob Markstrom (CGY)

• I worry that Marsktrom might not see a lot of work in net to pay for his salary but this should be a game that the Flames win.

NOTE: All pricing references pertain to DraftKings

GOOD LUCK!!