DFS Alerts
Return of veteran goaltender?
At the time of writing this (11 AM), we are not sure who will start for the Chicago Blackhawks, but whoever goes (either Crawford or Cam Ward) draws a good matchup, even on the road as Blackhawks’ fans love to travel. While the Blackhawks are terrible defensively, much of that risk is mitigated by Anaheim’s futility. The Ducks are averaging a paltry 1.58 goals per game since the All-Star break behind a group of washed-up veterans and youngsters. The Blackhawks check in as a small favorite with the lowest total of the night (6). If Crawford returns, it is a considerable upgrade from Cam Ward. Crawford checks in at just $7,600 on DraftKings and $7,500 on FanDuel. Ward is priced up a bit more but still viable given Anaheim’s struggles to find the back of the net.
Other tagged players: Cam Ward
Value in the Desert
The Arizona Coyotes are one of the least exciting teams to target in NHL DFS, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be had. The second line of Derek Stepan, Josh Archibald, and Lawson Crouse costs you just $10,800 on DraftKings, or an average of $3600 per player. That allows you to load up on another expensive line or some pricy defensemen like Brent Burns. Archibald and Crouse should play about 15-16 minutes, while Stephan will be closer to 20, including time on the power play. They face a Florida team on the second of a back-to-back tonight and should be able to control the tempo of the game.
Other tagged players: Derek Stepan, Josh Archibald
This center is off to a solid start on his new team
Matt Duchene has two points in two games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s centering the top line between Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson, and the entire line remains together on the top power play unit. This gives them elite upside as they have full-game correlation as the Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over the last month, the Pens have allowed 62.91 CA/60 which ranks 26th and their CF% of 48.07 ranks 24th. While the Blue Jackets possession numbers aren’t great — their 51.81 CF% ranks 9th — it is still a plus-matchup for this line.
Other tagged players: Artemi Panarin, Cam Atkinson
This winger may have found a new running mate on the other side of the ice
Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson and Reilly Smith have been the Vegas Golden Knights top line for the better part of a year now, but with the Knights acquiring Mark Stone, it is likely that Smith gets bumped in favor of the new acquisition. Stone was not at the morning skate, but he is expected to be in the lineup and playing with Marchessault and Karlsson. Marchy is second on the team in points with 42 points but leads the team with 228 shots. While the point totals are not impressive, this is a game against the Dallas Stars — who will be without Jamie Benn in all likelihood — that Vegas should be able to score in bunches. If Stone is not playing with these guys, whomever is on the right-wing still makes for this as a top line stack tonight.
Other tagged players: William Karlsson, Mark Stone 
This sniper has an absolutely juicy matchup
Alex Ovechkin has a five-goal lead for the Rocket Richard trophy, but tonight he has the opportunity to extend that by a couple. The Washington Capitals host the Ottawa Senators, a team that just sold everybody off and was already struggling across the board. Over the last month they’ve allowed a 64.04 CA/60, although they’ve had a modest 49.18 CF% due to their offense being decent. However, that number should plummet after trading Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and Mark Stone in less than a week. Ovechkin will be playing with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson on the top line, which should be able to dominate the Senators.
Other tagged players: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson 
Cheap low-owned netminder could be a difference maker in tournaments
Darcy Kuemper has won six of his last seven starts. The only loss during this span was against the sizzling St. Louis Blues. Outside of the four goals allowed to St. Louis, Kuemper has allowed the following goal totals: DAL (2), VGS (2), TOR (0), EDM (2), VAN (2) and WPG (1). Although Florida’s offense has been competent, Arizona sports the National Hockey League’s second-best penalty kill (85.6%) which trails only the elite Tampa Bay Lightning (85.7%). Additionally, the Panthers played last night in Colorado and should wear down as the game goes on. Kuemper checks in at an attractive $7,700 on DraftKings and $7,800 on FanDuel. Fire him up in tournaments in this nice spot for the home team.
Disappointing season for team leader in points
With scoring up across the league, it is rather disappointing to see Clayton Keller check in at just 39 points (12G, 27A) in 62 games. However, he is still a talented player, and the Coyotes have a favorable situational spot tonight against Florida who was in a grinder of a game last night at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. In the Coyotes’ last contest, Keller ended a long goal-scoring drought as he picked up his 12th goal of the season. Keller checks in at an affordable $4,500 on DraftKings which gives him appeal in all formats, though the preference would be as a one-off in tournaments. Tonight is a great time to buy-low on the Coyotes’ team leader in points.
You know what to do when Kris Letang is out
We saw it time and time again when Kris Letang was out last season – Justin Schultz would step up and log massive minutes. Last time out, after both Letang and Brian Dumolin did not make it out for the second period, Schultz ended up seeing 30 minutes of ice time. Not only will Schultz soak up minutes, he will see time on the team’s potent top power play unit. Justin checks in at just $3,900 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel. It should not take more than a week before he is sitting at $5,500+, so take advantage in all formats.
This sensational rookie continues to impress
Elias Pettersson has been more than anybody would have expected as a rookie. While the elite offensive ability was evident, nobody expected him to be this good, this quickly. He’s got 26 goals and 54 points in 51 games in his first NHL season and has really settled in among the leagues most efficient goal-scorers. He’s playing on a line with Brock Boeser and NHL journeyman Ryan Spooner. The line certainly has plenty of offensive upside and while Spooner is a nice cheap third-wheel, it may make more sense to stack just Boeser and Pettersson as a two-man mini-stack as they remain together on the top power play unit for the Vancouver Canucks while Spooner is relegated to PP2.
Other tagged players: Brock Boeser, Ryan Spooner 
Despite hometown pressure, this center has been as advertised
John Tavares was the biggest free agent signing over the summer and he landed with Toronto. He has had instant chemistry with Mitchell Marner all season long and they continue to dominate the competition both at even strength and on the power play. Because of that, they make for the perfect two-man stack as they’ll have full-game correlation and elite upside. Zach Hyman is the third-wheel on this line at even strength and while he is an OK option to complete the full-stack, his offensive upside is very limited and he relies on Tavares and Marner to get him on the scoresheet.
Other tagged players: Zach Hyman, Mitchell Marner 
This player has been dominant, especially on the power play
Kucherov has been dominant on the leagues best power play with a league-leading 39 power play points — 8 more than second place. The Tampa Bay Lightning have the leagues best power play, as mentioned, and are taking on the second-worst penalty kill in the Los Angeles Kings. This could be a special teams dominance. Additionally, Kucherov is playing with Brayden Point and Tyler Johnson at even strength which is a great stack. Kucherov and Point make for a great two-man stack as they also play on the top power play unit together.
Other tagged players: Tyler Johnson, Brayden Point 
Big minutes for Vancouver blue liner
Ben Hutton took over the “Troy Stecher duties” last time out, getting the top power play minutes for the Vancouver Canucks. While both are not particularly effective defenseman, Vancouver really does not have anyone else to turn to. Hutton has logged 25-plus minutes in five consecutive contests and should see more of the same tonight against a woeful Ducks’ team. Hutton checks in at just $3,300 which gives him cash game appeal to spend up at forward, where there are a number of high-floor, high-ceiling options on this six game slate.
Top liner fresh off three-point night in Chicago
After a disastrous stretch after the All-Star break, Colorado has won four consecutive games in impressive fashion, outscoring four teams in playoff contention (Vegas, Winnipeg, Chicago and Nashville) by a combined score of 20-4. Last time out, Kerfoot collected a goal and two helpers as the Avalanche buried Nashville 5-0 on the tail-end of a back to back, no less. He is best served in tournaments as there is a relative boom-or-bust nature to the 24-year-old native of Vancouver. We should be in for a nice game with a handful of goals at the Pepsi Center tonight.
Toronto forward looks to stay hot against Sabres
Andreas Johnsson has been dynamite in February and has posted seven goals and four assists over his last nine games. A bulk of that production came earlier in the month when he was buried on the fourth line. However, now Johnsson is skating with Auston Matthews at even-strength. Johnsson’s sub $4,500 price across the industry remains attractive in a plus-matchup on home ice. Buffalo has really struggled defensively this month, allowing 3.55 goals per game which is the worst mark in the Eastern Conference. Johnsson could stay hot.
Blue liner continues to shoulder massive minutes
Troy Stecher isn’t exactly a secret anymore, and for that matter, he is not a particularly good player, but when someone is playing 30 minutes roughly every game, it is hard not to run into fantasy goodness. Stecher is still $3,200 on DraftKings despite his huge ice time with Alexander Edler out. Furthermore, Stecher is on the top power play unit. Over his last four games, Stecher has 13 shots on goal to go along with 7 blocked shots. Such production for just $3,200 is nearly impossible to find. Lock and load Stecher again.