NHL DFS Slate Summary: Thursday, February 22nd
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 Thursday, February 22nd
Today’s Games
Slate Overview
Goodbye, NBA DFSers who were only here during the All-Star Break; we hardly knew ye. And in vintage NHL fashion, they choose tonight to have the biggest slate in the last week, right when the NBA is back in action. Alas, one day, they will realize how to market their product, but that day isn’t today.
The thing that stands out immediately is the number of projected close games. Somehow, the good teams are generally facing the good ones, and the bad ones pair up as well. There are a few exceptions, but the majority of games are near pick’ems. The Penguins and Lightning are the only teams significantly favored (-200 or better), and both should carry plenty of ownership.
The prize pools are what we normally see, although they seem so sad and dull compared to the $200,000 and $50,000 top prizes we’ve seen over the last two nights. Still, $15,000 is nothing to scoff at, and I’ll be glad to claim first tonight if anyone else is looking to take second right behind me.
There are more injuries than usual to account for tonight, as well as the return of Morgan Rielly from suspension. Mark Stone and Viktor Arvidsson were placed on IR today and will obviously be out tonight. The status of Artemi Panarin is one of the biggest pieces of news we’re waiting on and likely won’t know until close to lock. If he’s out, it opens up some value. UPDATE: Now Jonathan Marchessault has been named as a game-time decision, so there’s even one more name to monitor. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get into it.
Top Skaters
Sidney Crosby
DraftKings $7,800
It’s honestly ridiculous what Sidney Crosby is doing in his 19th season in the NHL. Not only is he not slowing down, but he’s also on pace for a career-high in goals. He won’t come close to his career-best in points because the assists aren’t as high as usual, but the goal-scoring touch is still elite. He’s still seeing tremendous usage, too, and should see his usual 20+ minutes if the game stays competitive.
Crosby is great, but the matchup is why he’s such a fantastic play tonight. The Canadiens are on the second of a back-to-back after losing last night to the Sabres at home. Montreal didn’t try to limit the minutes for their top line, as all three forwards played 21+ minutes. They took 5 penalties last night, and I’d expect at least that many tonight with tired legs and undisciplined players. They have the second-worst penalty kill in the NHL, which is a potentially lucrative combination for the Penguins.