NHL DFS Slate Summary: Friday, April 5th
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 games for DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll discuss today’s NHL DFS player projections, player correlations and NHL stacking, NHL starting lineups, differentiation tactics using NHL projected ownership, and recommendations on ways to create lineup diversity if entering multiple lineups using LineupHQ.
NHL DFS Picks: Slate Summary for Friday, April 5th
Slate Overview
I’m currently writing this from the waiting room of the hospital as my son is having a heart study done today, so it’s going to be a slightly abbreviated article today. So far so good for the little guy! I apologize and will try to be involved in the Discord if any of my thoughts change. Unfortunately, the contests are lackluster, as the trend has continued over the last week. It’s a shame because it’s an otherwise interesting slate despite only being 6 games. The headliner is definitely the COL/EDM, as two teams with Stanley Cup aspirations face off in Edmonton. From an implied team total and overall favorite, Carolina jumps to the top of the list, which is always a scary proposition. The Oilers and Rangers follow up, and then there are a ton of teams in the “meh” range.
Top Skaters
Connor McDavid
DraftKings $10,200
I would say I’ve been slightly lower on McDavid than the consensus throughout the year. Obviously, I love his game as much as the next guy, but he hasn’t been quite on the same level as someone like MacKinnon, at least from a fantasy perspective. As I’ve pointed out numerous times, McDavid’s home/road splits are too extreme to ignore. And you can no longer claim the “small sample size” argument, as he’s played 35+ games for each. From a DK perspective, he’s averaging 23 points at home vs. just 13 on the road. For reference, the 23 points per game is better than the best (MacKinnon) season average. The 13 is what Frank Vatrano is averaging.
Compared to MacKinnon you’re saving $600, which isn’t a ton, but could mean the difference in getting a nice goalie or skater upgrade in your lineup. One of the few flaws in McDavid’s fantasy game compared to some of the other elites is the shot volume, but lately, that hasn’t been an issue, with 7 and 8 shots in two of his last 3 games. The Avalanche are on the second of a back-to-back, and their top players logged their usual set of heavy minutes. Lots of minutes means heavier legs and the potential for more penalties, giving one of the league’s best power plays an additional opportunity or two.