FREE PREMIUM: NHL DFS Slate Summary: Tuesday, April 19th
Welcome to the RotoGrinders NHL DFS Slate Summary. In this article, we’ll concentrate on the key elements of DFS success while delivering analysis on the upcoming slate of NHL slate of games for DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll discuss today’s NHL DFS player projections, player correlations and NHL stacking, injuries to monitor, NHL starting lineups, differentiation tactics using NHL projected ownership, and recommendations on ways to create lineup diversity if entering multiple lineups using LineupHQ.
Today’s Games
Slate Overview
We have ten games on tap tonight, which feels like a relief compared to some of the 12-14 gamers we’ve had over the last few weeks. The big news of the slate is that Auston Matthews will be sitting out another game. There are two borderline silly (and unbettable IMO) favorites in the Lightning (-525) and Maple Leafs (-475) and several others in the -195 to -270 range. Ownership will flock to those two monster favorites, leading to some leverage opportunities elsewhere. Note: This is the time of year where lineups change frequently as teams are either resting up for the playoffs or giving some young talent an opportunity to play. Make sure to check out the Discord channel close to lock and throughout the night.
Top Skater Projections
John Tavares
John Tavares instantly jumps to the top of the value plays and is best point per dollar option at the mid to top end of the spectrum. Tavares’ numbers are solid for the year (74 points in 75 games), even though he has played second fiddle to Matthews. In the last game without #34, Tavares played 21+ minutes, or two or three more than his usual 18-19. He also posted four shots on goal, his highest total in five games. The matchup only makes things sweeter as he’ll take on a Flyers team in rebuild mode.
Timo Meier
It’s rare to not have anyone written up here that’s above $7200, but instead I’ll take the savings and go with Timo Meier, who has been one of the best fantasy producers over the last month. He has quietly (maybe not in our circle) put together an impressive 73 point campaign with 33 goals. Tonight, he should have fairly high ownership in a matchup with a leaky Blue Jackets team. His SOG volume is always top notch, giving him both a solid floor and high ceiling. Assuming you’re willing to swallow some chalk, Meier should be set for another solid fantasy performance in your lineups.
Other Options: Roman Josi, Mitch Marner, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov Johnny Gaudreau, J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson
Top Skater Values (Pts/$)
Freddie Gaudreau
Freddie Gaudreau was one of my favorite unheralded Preds while with the team, and always wanted him to get more opportunities while with the team. He’s been getting those opportunities in Minnesota and has been capitalizing on them. He’s riding a four game point streak where he has eight points in all, including three goals. He’s seeing about 16-17 minutes a night, and that might even go up without Marcus Foligno and Jordan Greenway in the lineup for the Wild. The matchup is an elite one as the Canadiens rank dead last in the NHL in goals allowed.
Other Options: Michael Bunting, Matt Boldy, Vasily Podkolzin, Anthony Duclair
Top Goalie Projections
Igor Shesterkin
Sometimes it’s as easy as “playing the best players” and that’s what I’ll be doing tonight. Despite a few rough patches, Igor Shesterkin has arguably been the best goalie in the NHL season. He has a 35-11-4 record with a 2.05 GAA and .935 SV%. His numbers are even better at home with a 1.83 GAA and .940 SV%. Tonight, he’s facing a an undermanned Jets team who will be without their top center Mark Scheifele. In his only other appearance against the Jets this year, he saved 45 of 46 shots in route to a massive fantasy performance.
Other Options: Sergei Bobrovsky, Ilya Sorokin (GPP/upside play),
Top Stack Projections
| Team | Proj | Own% | DKPt/$ | FDPt$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYRPP1 | 12.64 | TBD | 1.99 | 2.17 |
| TB1 | 12.82 | TBD | 2.24 | 2.36 |
| TBPP1 | 13.66 | TBD | 2.13 | 2.32 |
| TOR1 | 15.18 | TBD | 2.31 | 2.42 |
| TORPP1 | 14.62 | TBD | 2.21 | 2.42 |
| CGY1 | 12.35 | TBD | 1.72 | 1.76 |
| BOS1 | 12.88 | TBD | 2.07 | 2.20 |
| MIN1 | 14.53 | TBD | 1.45 | 2.30 |
| MINPP1 | 13.36 | TBD | 2.35 | 2.34 |
| VAN2 | 12.47 | TBD | 2.54 | 2.64 |
Projected Ownership is posted after morning skate daily.
Top Stacks
Colorado 1/PP1
Our projections understandably knock down the Maple Leafs a tick without Matthews in the lineup, but I still think they are the top stack of the night. I highlighted Tavares above and is the most obvious piece of the stack. From there, you can mix and match the even strength (Mikheyev), power play (Bunting, Nylander, Reilly), or both (Marner). I think Marner actually might be the least desirable due to his price, and prefer the likes of Nylander and Bunting more. I’ve been low on Morgan Rielly most of the year, but this feels like a spot when he could pick up some of the offensive load and end up with a solid night for fantasy.
Other Options: TB1, MIN1/2, NYR1 (GPPs), FLA1, STL (Thomas line), VAN1/2, SJ1
Image Credit: Imagn