NHL DFS Slate Summary: Tuesday, January 16th
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, January 16th
Today’s Games
Slate Overview
Greetings from a snowy Nashville. Yes, you read that correctly. The kids are out of school, which, as some of you know, is a blessing and a curse. So I’m writing this with my six-year-old snuggled up beside me. I asked her for advice, but she just said, “Play Beau’s dad” (Matt Duchene). It appears I’m on my own yet again.
It’s a fascinating slate for a number of reasons. There are several coin-flip games as a number of good teams are facing good teams (COL / OTT, TOR / EDM, LA / DAL, etc.) while there are a few bad teams facing each other as well (SJ / CHI). Then there are the heavy favorites in the Rangers, Capitals, Jets, and Flames. I think all of them are potential traps in one form or another, and none are guaranteed to smash. I think all of this leads to potentially spread-out ownership despite the slate having just 8 games.
Let’s break it down.
Top Skaters
Connor McDavid
DraftKings $9,800
Shame on me for not following my own advice on Saturday. Over the last few weeks, I’ve said that the Oilers are “borderline unplayable” on the road, and that’s continued to be the case. McDavid’s splits are wild. On the road, he’s averaging just 11.5 fantasy points per game (the same as players like Chris Kreider and Brock Nelson, to give you a reference point). At home, he’s averaging 20.6 DK points (the same as players like … nobody). It’s more than Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, or anyone else’s seasonal averages.
In addition to being at home, the matchup is just fine against a Maple Leafs team capable of scoring but equally capable of letting in goals. They’ve allowed at least 4 goals in each of their last 3 games despite facing a few less-than-stellar offensive teams. I expect McDavid and company to match this tonight with at least 4 goals as a team, meaning #97 has a great chance of finding the scoresheet multiple times.