This is a pretty straight-forward slate as far as the studs we want to play, but there isn’t much for value. We’ve come up with 5 spotlights we like on this short slate, but If you’re looking for a quick breakdown of the entire slate, you can check out the end of our MLB Strategy Video. Awesemo will start with some reasons why he’s on each player, then I (Tommienation1) will follow up.
Top-Tier
Roman Josi ($6,100 DK/$6,200 FD)
“Josi should see 25+ minutes tonight and is the Predators’ highest-volume shooter on defense, making him a great play in all formats.”
He’s one of my favorite plays on the slate tonight, but it’s tough to fit him in on DK since the home teams’ prices are inflated. Still, Josi (“A” points grade) is coming off a game in which he attempted 11 shots and created 6 Scoring Chances. I’m not expecting 11 shots out of him, but the minutes and the matchup are both fantastic here, so he’s worth his price on both sites if you’re able to fit him.
Phil Kessel ($7,200 DK/$8,100 FD)
“Kessel’s team has the 2nd-highest total on the night, and with the Flyers possibly missing their top-line center once again, Kessel makes for an even better play tonight.”
In his first game playing on Evgeni Malkin’s wing this series, Kessel (“A” points grade) attempted 8 shots and created 6 Scoring Chances, which both led Penguins skaters. He’s got as good of a chance as any skater tonight to get on the scoresheet playing with a great playmaker like Malkin, and then getting his chances on the elite Pens’ top PP unit.
Value
Charlie Coyle ($3,300 DK/$4,600 FD)
“Coyle’s promotion to the top line makes him a decent punt option on DK as he should see increased time on ice.”
I wouldn’t say Coyle’s matchup is particularly good, but in general, being on a line with Eric Staal and Jason Zucker is a good thing for him. He’s a guy that can create his own shots and scoring chances offensively, and now he’ll be getting 15+ minutes of ice time as well as power-play time with talented players as the Wild try to steal one in Winnipeg to keep the series alive. At this price on DK where value is a necessity tonight, Coyle is a solid GPP option.
Jacob Trouba ($4,200 DK/$4,700 FD)
“Trouba’s minutes are on the upswing and he’s been getting power-play time. The 3.3 total for his team doesn’t hurt here, either.”
Trouba is behind only Patrik Laine in shot attempts for the Jets this series at 26 in 4 games. We love to see the aggressiveness out of $4,200 defender on DK, and outside of the top guys tonight, there aren’t many defensemen I’m excited about. If Tyler Myers is out again, Trouba (“B” value) becomes one of my top defense plays on the slate where it is slim pickings.
Nick Bonino ($3,300 DK/$3,400 FD)
“Bonino is a cheap way to get exposure to a tough position and the highest total of the night.”
Bonino (“A” FD value) should matchup with Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs top line tonight, which will be a handful for them defensively, but COL1 has given it up defensively in the road all year. His line was well over a 50 Corsi For Percentage in the regular season, and Bonino himself was playing on the 2nd power-play unit in Game-4. As a cheap center, it’s hard to do better than him tonight.
