NHL DFS Slate Summary: Tuesday, February 20th
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 Tuesday, February 20th
Today’s Games
Slate Overview
The Super Bowl of NHL DFS is finally here. And yes, I’m claiming this even over the DK live final due to the pure size of it. DK has been running satellites for ages, and the $555 entry, $200,000 to first, and $1,000.000 in total prizes contest is finally upon us. Shamefully, I’ll only have two entries, so I have a really good 1/1000 chance of taking it down. :)
In typical NHL fashion, the slate itself isn’t all that great with just eight games. It’s an opportunity missed to showcase the game’s stars like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews with the NBA not in action, but I can’t say I’m surprised as the NHL bungles this sort of thing frequently. That’s not to say there isn’t talent to be had as the Avanche and Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Hughes and the Devils lead the way from a star power perspective.
From a Vegas perspective, there are two teams that stand out. The Kings and Panthers have the highest implied team totals at 4.0+, and then there’s a decent dropoff before the Devils, Rangers, and Avalanche all check in around the 3.6 to 3.7 goal range. I’d expect that fivesome to make up the large majority of the ownership tonight, leaving any teams outside that bubble as slightly contrarian.
In thinking through how the field will react to this contest, I’ll point out a few things. First, there will be more “non-NHL” players due to the lack of NBA and the prize pool. I think that could mean condensed ownership, as many will rely on the projections and optimizers. With such a top-heavy prize, upside will also be key. So when constructing your lineups, continually ask yourself if the lineup has the ability to take down a contest with 2,000 people.
Let’s win someone that $200,000.
Top Skaters
Nathan MacKinnon
DraftKings $10,000
The only thing better than Nathan MacKinnon at home is Nathan MacKinnon at home against a team on the second of a back-to-back. That’s the case tonight as Vancouver will be traveling to Colorado to play at altitude after a game against Minnesota yesterday that was truly… Wild. He’s now up to 55 points in 26 games at home versus just 36 in 30 games on the road.
MacKinnon’s projection is 4 points clear of the next closest skater, which is crazy, given the number of games on the slate. He’s been tremendous lately with three consecutive games with multiple points. He also has earned the 5+ SOG bonus in all three, including nine shots in his last game. Because the matchup isn’t elite, I don’t expect him to see absurd ownership. The price tag is up there, but I expect him to be worth every penny tonight.