DFS Alerts

Toronto winger continues to be a bargain

Andreas Johnsson erupted on Saturday night against the Rangers, collecting a goal and two assists in 15 minutes of ice time. Last time out, Johnsson managed just an assist, but he still saw another 15 minutes of ice time. Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been much better lately, but Toronto is averaging the second-most goals per game (3.78 GF/G) in the National Hockey League. Skating on a line with Tavares and Marner certainly adds to Johnsson’s value, and he also sees time on the team’s second power play unit which Mike Babcock is adamant about giving ice time. Johnsson makes for a nice tournament target with his linemates.

Heavily Favored Goalie at Home

Goalie is a wasteland tonight as all three games should see plenty of offense. Robin Lehner is the “least objectionable” option in my opinion. Lehner has been solid this year with a 2.44 GAA and .920 SV%. At home, he’s been even better with a 2.17 GAA and .924 SV%. He’s a -175 at home against a lousy Ottawa team and should be in line to pick up the win tonight.

Newcomer Continues to Shine

John Tavares was the offseason’s biggest move, and he has paid major dividends already for the Maple Leafs. He’s on pace for 53 goals this season, which would be a career best for him. He’s found chemistry with linemates Mitchell Marner and Andreas Johnsson and they are currently one of the hottest lines in the league. Tavares has multi-point games in four straight and faces a Columbus team on the second of a back-to-back. I think he extends the streak to five with another multi-point night.

Cheap Defenseman Getting Power Play Time

I don’t normally love Nick Leddy as a fantasy option, but the opportunity, matchup, and price make him a viable play this evening. The opportunity comes on the number one power play unit. Leddy is a pass-first skater, so he’ll have the chance at some assists with the man advantage. The matchup couldn’t be better as the Islanders face the league’s worst defense in the Ottawa Senators. The price is right at just $2900 on DraftKings, near the minimum.

Overlooked difference maker on the Columbus blue line

After spending time on the third pairing for a while, Werenski is back on the top pairing with Seth Jones. Not only that, Werenski has been the quarterback on the team’s top power play unit. Accordingly, Werenski has picked up a point in three consecutive games including a game-tying goal with just minutes remaining in last night’s contest against the New York Rangers. Even on this short slate, Werenski, whose price is under $5,000 on both sites, will not see significant ownership. He makes for an excellent tournament play against a Toronto team that tends to give up points to opposing defensemen.

Jordan Eberle has been ruled out for tonight

Consequently, Josh Ho-Sang is set to see time with Brock Nelson and Anders Lee. How long Josh stays there is anybody’s guess, but an opportunity at home to take on the Ottawa Senators is one to exploit. Ho-Sang costs just $2,700 on DraftKings and he is the bare-minimum on FanDuel ($3,000). Josh has been productive in the AHL this season with 22 points (2G, 20A) in 26 games and is a great building block because it frees up so much salary to spend on a superstar like Aleksander Barkov or Auston Matthews.

Goalie Faces Depleted Opponent

I already liked Halak tonight, but the announcement of Taylor Hall’s absence from the lineup for the Devils makes him a near auto-play for me. Hall leads the Devils in points and is their most dynamic playmaker. Even with Hall, the Devils are an average offensive team. Halak, meanwhile, has been outstanding at home with an 8-0-0 record, 1.74 GAA, and .945 SV%. He should have no issue getting the win tonight.

Hottest Player In NHL in Favorable Home Matchup

Nikita Kucherov is riding an eight game point streak, in which he’s accumulated a ridiculous 15 points. He’s coming off a career-high five point outing (1 goal, 4 assists), and will look to keep it rolling against the Flyers at home. In his only other game against Philadelphia this year, he has a multi-point effort, and I have no reason to believe he can’t replicate it tonight. Tampa Bay has an expected goal total of 4 goals, a total rarely seen. Kucherov should be a staple in all formats tonight.

Dominant First Line Reunited

Patrice Bergeron missed 16 games due to a rib injury, but even when he returned, the dynamic trio of Patrice Bergeron, Bard Marchand, and David Pastrnak wasn’t put together at even-strength. Now that Jake Debrusk is set to return, it appears the Bruins will be putting their big guns back together. This group has been especially electric at home, combining for 71 points in just 44 games. Tonight, they’ll face a short-handed Devils team without their best player (Taylor Hall). It’s all systems go in Boston.

Bottom of the barrel blue liner with increased opportunity

Erik Karlsson was suspended for two games, so he not play again tonight. Last time out, Heed found himself in the lineup, logged 17 minutes of ice time, took two shots on goal and found a power play goal. Heed costs just $2,700 on DraftKings and he is the bare-minimum on FanDuel ($3,500). Even if Heed doesn’t find the score sheet, he has always had a nose for shooting the puck. The Ducks have been playing better, but the Sharks should be hungry for a win here after three consecutive home losses. Heed is a great way to save salary.

Edit @ 2:15 PM — Tim Heed was not at the morning skate so his status is up in the air. Some other salary saving options tonight are Mikhail Sergachev and Olli Maatta

Slow start to sophomore campaign for Boston winger

After a 47 point (16G, 31A) effort in 77 games for the Bruins last season, Danton Heinen has been a big disappointment, collecting just nine points in 35 games. However, Heinen has been elevated to the top line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron who came back in a big way on Saturday, picking up two goals and two assists. Heinen will also see time on the team’s top power play unit which should be able to pick apart a defensive dumpster fire in the New Jersey Devils who will start young goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. Heinen’s price across the industry is very attractive given his role.

Edit @ 12 PM – It appears David Pastrnak will be back where he belongs with Marchand and Bergeron on the top line, so Heinen is no longer the stand out value he was before. Boston’s second line is a cheap tournament target nonetheless as Jake DeBrusk is set to return.

Cheap winger has benefit of playing with superstar center

Jesse Puljujarvi saw top line minutes with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins before the holiday break, and he figures to see more again this evening against the Vancouver Canucks. Puljujarvi logged a season-high in ice time of over 17 minutes in route to collecting an assist. Puljujarvi has never really blossomed like the Oilers’ organization had hoped, but Connor McDavid has a way of making everyone around him better (here’s looking at you Alex Chiasson). Puljujarvi is an affordable piece on DraftKings at $4,500, and his price really stands out on FanDuel at $3,600, though they frustratingly still have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins listed as a center. Edmonton’s top line makes for an affordable line stack with big upside.

Edit @ 1:30 — Looks like Hitchcock is going with Chiasson – McDavid – Draisaitl back on the top line so Puljujarvi is no longer in play. Someone like Jason Zucker ($4,600 on DraftKings) stands out. Darnell Nurse is still an exceptional value on FanDuel ($4,400) if looking to gain exposure to the Oilers

Cheap goalie draws tough matchup but great spot

Colorado’s top line has been tough to contain all season long, but they’ve been really quiet over the last week despite three prime matchups at home. Colorado has scored a total of four goals over their last three games including last night’s miserable effort against a tired Blackhawks’ team starting a third stringer. Working in Hill and Arizona’s favor is their league-best penalty kill (88.4%). If Hill and the Coyotes can contain the seemingly cold top line, Colorado offers next to nothing in terms of depth scoring. In a coin flip game, Hill could emerge victorious on home ice at super low ownership.

Cold stretch for Wild winger offers buy-low opportunity

Zucker appears to be back on Minnesota’s top line, and though the team has struggled lately, the Dallas Stars have not been much better. Dallas owns a 6-11-2 record on the road where they’ve dropped four consecutive games, allowing 19 goals in the process. Zucker picked apart Dallas last season, potting three goals and two assists with 14 shots on goal in just four games, and his price across the industry is attractive. The Dallas Stars’ plodding pace leaves a lot to be desired, but Minnesota’s top line should have their fare share of chances at even strength and on the power play. This game is certain to be overlooked, so take advantage of Zucker who has scored seven of his nine goals on home ice this season.

Opportunity on the top line for Swedish winger

With the injury to Zach Hyman, Andreas Johnsson is expected to slot in on Toronto’s top line with the dynamic John Tavares and Mitchell Marner. Johnsson is pointless in five consecutive games, but prior to that he logged back-to-back multi-point games. An opportunity with Tavares and Marner provides Johnsson with an immense amount of value in a prime matchup against a Rangers team that has had a rough go of it lately. Andreas also sees time on Toronto’s second power play unit. As is often the case, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the highest implied total, so roll out Johnsson who is $4,300 on DraftKings and $3,700 on FanDuel in tournaments.