DFS Alerts
Storm Brewing In Tampa
When talking about core plays you usually talk about some of the best players in the league. In other words, it’s the chalk players that will make up the core of your roster. While there are many decent players in action tonight, some may not have the best match-up while others may have a superb match-up. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s easy to say that the NHL’s leading scorer is a good play tonight. In fact he’s probably a good play on any night but tonight is the night of all nights. Take into consideration that the Tampa Bay Lightning took the Minnesota Wild for granted on Thursday night as the visitors handed the Lightning their sixth home loss of the season. One has to think that regardless of opponent that they will come out on fire this evening. Next up is the fact that Detroit comes into this one giving up 39 goals over their last nine games. Kucherov comes at a high price tag but not paying up for him may be a costly mistake on home ice this evening.
Draisaitl To Stay Hot
Draisaitl is not only in the middle of a 12 game point streak but has grabbed 16 points over the last 10 games as well. Yes, Edmonton is not a good team but they will have the home ice advantage tonight against a Toronto team that has given up eight power play goals over the last 10 games. Some thought that being taken away from the top line that features Connor McDavid wouldn’t be a good idea but obviously Draisaitl’s recent outburst has proved otherwise. Using him as a one-off here would be the optimal choice only he and Patrick Kane have gone over the 40 point mark in both goals and assists this season.
Other tagged players: Connor McDavid 
This center is the most important forward on his team
For the reputation that the Winnipeg Jets have, they have struggled over the last month. They have the tenth-worst CF% with a 48.99 rate and a 61.67 CA/60 which is the fifth-worst in the NHL over the last month. This bodes well for the top line of the Carolina Hurricanes which is comprised of Nino Niederreiter, Sebastian Aho and Justin Williams — a line that thas really clicked since Nino was brought in. Aho leads or is tied for the team lead in goals with 7, assists with 11, points with 18 and shots with 56 over the last month and continues to be the most reliable offensive player on the team.
Other tagged players: Justin Williams, Nino Niederreiter
This center is often dubbed underrated, but that label can probably be removed
The Florida Panthers are on the tail-end of a back to back, but so are their opponents in the Minnesota Wild. The Wild are expected to roll with Devan Dubnyk again which could be trouble for them as goalies playing both games on a back to back see a significant decrease in their stats. The top line for the Panthers is stacked with Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Evgenii Dadonov playing together at even strength as well as on the top power play unit. This makes for an elite stack with full-game correlation.
Other tagged players: Jonathan Huberdeau, Evgenii Dadonov 
This center has been dominant on the top line
If you take a look at the New Jersey Devils lineup for tonight, you’re going to want to go all-in on the Washington Capitals. Over the last month, the Devils have a league-worst 44.94 CF% which is just a nightmare for them as they roll out an injury-riddled lineup this evening. Evgeny Kuznetsov has kept pace with Alex Ovechkin in goals since February 1st with 8 to Ovechkin’s 9. Kuznetsov has been centering Ovechkin and Tom Wilson as of late and they make for a great line stack this evening. If you don’t want to roll with Wilson, going with a two-man stack of Kuznetsov and Ovechkin is a solid play as they both play on the top power play unit which gives them full-game correlation.
Other tagged players: Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson 
Third line center continues to be underrated
While many will gravitate toward Washington’s top-six, the third line should not be overlooked especially in fully-loaded Washington stacks. Washington has won five games in a row and Eller has been a factor in several of them, collecting a goal and three assists with 12 shots on goal during this stretch. On Eller’s wing is speedy Carl Hagelin who has a point in back to back games, slowly finding his game. Eller sees consistent ice time (16-plus minutes) and power play time on the second unit and could really shine against New Jersey’s lack of depth. Lars makes for a cheap, overlooked option at center.
This Devil is soaking up minutes and will fly under the radar
With New Jersey’s rash of injuries, Blake Coleman has seen his ice time soar. Two weeks ago, Coleman logged a career-high of just under 26 minutes of ice time. Blake has never been one to get power play time, but the injury to Nico Hischier has opened up power play time for Coleman, even on the top unit. The matchup for New Jersey is terrible in Washington, but Coleman has 11 shots on goal in three games this month and makes for an interesting one-off in tournaments given his heavy workload.
New acquisiton has already matched point total in 26 fewer games
With Ryan Donato’s two assists last night, he is now up to 9 points (2G, 7A) in just 8 games with the surging Minnesota Wild, who miraculously are eyeing a playoff birth after it had looked like the tank was in full effect. Donato has been a big part of this as his nine points in just eight games matched his point total in 34 games earlier this season with the Bruins. Since being acquired by Minnesota, the Wild have not lost in regulation, going 5-0-2 with the two losses coming in a shootout against the Nashville Predators. At sub-$4,000 prices on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Donato is a strong source of salary relief.
This center has a premium matchup this evening
Has everybody seen what is going on in Ottawa? After trading away three of their best forwards, they’ve been even worse defensively than they were before. Already as the worst defensive team in the league, the Ottawa Senators have allowed 24 goals over their last 5 games including 5 against these same New York Islanders on Tuesday night. As these two teams complete their home-and-home series, the Islanders top line is a focus for us. Brock Nelson is centering Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle — a trio of UFA’s this summer. Nelson leads the team in points since Feb 1st and should have no problem continuing that trend against the lowly Ottawa Senators.
Other tagged players: Anders Lee, Jordan Eberle 
This winger continues to be one of the most hated players in the NHL
While common linemate David Pastrnak is on the shelf, he and Patrice Bergeron have continued to truck along with Danton Heinen on the right side. Marchand has 8 goals and 20 points in 15 games since February 1st, with 3 points coming with the man advantage and 3 coming on the penalty kill. He is an even strength, power play and shorthanded master which gives him elite upside. The Boston Bruins are hosting the Florida Panthers who are expected to be rolling with Roberto Luongo in net tonight which bodes well for Marchand and the Bruins. Luongo has struggled this season with a 3.13 goals against average and a .898 save percentage. He is clearly starting to show his age as he takes a major step back in his success.
Other tagged players: Patrice Bergeron, Danton Heinen This winger is closing in on the Rocket Richard race
Since February 1st, Leon Draisaitl leads the NHL in goals with 14. He has been on an absolute tear as of late with 22 points in 22 points in 16 games along the way. Of his 14 goals, 8 have come on the power play while 2 have come shorthanded, showing that he can do damage offensively in all facets of the game. He has primarily played alongside Connor McDavid which is an obvious boost. However, he has done some damage away from McDavid showing that he has elite talent. The Edmonton Oilers are hosting the Vancouver Canucks tonight — a team that is on the tail-end of a back to back. Draisaitl is expected to play alongside McDavid and Zack Kassian and makes for an elite line stack in this matchup.
Other tagged players: Connor McDavid, Zack Kassian 
Minimum-priced winger due for an increased role?
The Blackhawks have not skated since Sunday, so their lines will be something to monitor. However, last time out Brendan Perlini logged 12 minutes of ice time, skating with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome on Chicago’s second line. While Perlini has not found the same success in Chicago as Dylan Strome has, Perlini has flashed some upside before, as evidenced by his 30 points with Arizona two seasons ago. Two games ago, Perlini picked up a pair of goals. He is certainly boom-or-bust, with bust being the norm given the limited ice time, but if Perlini slots in on the second line with DeBrincat and Strome again, he is certainly worth one’s consideration in this high-event matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.
A goal in three straight for cheap forward
Zach Kassian has a goal in three straight games as the once reeling Oilers now have renewed hope for the playoffs, much like the Canucks after their surprising handling of Toronto last night. During Edmonton’s three-game winning streak, all of which came on the road, Kassian has 11 shots on goal and has logged 18-plus minutes in each contest. At $2,800 on DraftKings, it is hard to get away from Kassian in cash games and tournaments to make the McDavid/Draisaitl combo affordable. While Kassian does not get power play time, he could find success at even-strength against a Canucks’ squad playing on consecutive nights. Vancouver has just 13 wins in 36 road games. Kassian is a punt worthy of a roster spot given his hot stretch and opportunity alongside the captain.
Red Wing rookie looks to build off first goal
Filip Zadina logged a career-high 18 minutes of ice time last time out as the Red Wings were upended 4-3 in Colorado in overtime. In just Filip’s fourth career game in the National Hockey League, he picked up a power play goal on five shots. At near-minimum pricing across the industry ($3,100 on both DraftKings and Fanduel), Zadina is an intriguing tournament target in a plus-matchup against a New York Rangers’ team that is allowing the second-most high danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes (14.61 HDCA/60) at 5-on-5 over their last 10 games. Zadina is a talented prospect which should see more ice time as the Red Wings close out April. Take a chance with the sixth overall pick in last year’s draft.
This second line would be a first line on many NHL teams
This is essentially a first line that is in a second line role for the Vegas Golden Knights. Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny and Mark Stone are a stacked second line and with their depth, Vegas is not getting the hype that they had last year. But, they could be a sneaky force in the playoffs. This is certainly a difficult matchup as the Golden Knights host the Calgary Flames, one of the best teams in the NHL. As of right now, the Flames goalie is unknown but both have struggled since January 1st. David Rittich has just a 3.07 GAA and .893 SV% while Mike Smith has a 2.81 GAA and .904 SV%. This bodes well for this line stack at even strength which has elite upside.
Other tagged players: Mark Stone, Paul Stastny