We’ve got limited options to work with as this is only a 3-game slate and there should be some usuals getting rests here. I wouldn’t go crazy and blow your bankroll on this slate, but there are some plays that we do like a fair amount, even if they’ll be chalky. Awesemo will weigh in on each player first, and then I (Tommienation1) will follow up.
Top-Tier
Jack Eichel ($7,500 DK/$7,700 FD)
“The Sabres’ 3 implied total is well over their monthly average at home tonight against the Erik Karlsson-less Senators. This shapes up for a great matchup for Eichel individually.”
Eichel (“A” points grade) has 29 shot attempts and 18 Scoring Chances over his last five games, totaling 8 real points in that span. He has as good of a chance as anyone to post multiple points tonight at home against the Senators who are without their best defenseman (and player) Erik Karlsson. Eichel should matchup with either the Zack Smith or Jean-Gabriel Pageau lines, both of which allow over 12.6 High-Danger Chances Against per 60 minutes at even-strength. The highest volume shooter who gets power-play time on the top unit should be a guy that you strongly consider tonight in both cash-games and tournaments tonight.
Alex Pietrangelo ($6,500 DK/$5,800 FD)
“Pietrangelo has been a minutes monster, averaging over 27 in his last 10 games. He should get near that average again tonight, including time on the top power-play on the team with the highest implied total.”
This is one of the better spots on the slate tonight, as Pietrangelo (“A” points grade) should see as many minutes as any other skater with the Blues trying to sneak into the playoffs. He’s attempted 60 shots over his last 10 games and sees a lot of even-strength and power-play time with STL1, which is one of our favorite stacks on the night. You’re going to have to find value elsewhere on DraftKings, but Pietrangelo is one guy that I’m going to try to force in against a poor Blackhawks team.
Value
Casey Mittlestadt ($3,700 DK/$3,300 FD)
“Mittlestadt should see the Senators’ depth lines and is playing with two capable linemates with a 3 implied total.”
If you can’t afford Eichel tonight, saving some money with Mittlestadt (“A” FD value) is a decent way to get some Sabres exposure against a bad Senators’ team. He’s not going to play huge minutes, but centering Kyle Okposo and Alex Nylander should be beneficial to him, and he’ll get time on the second power-play unit against Ottawa’s 29th-ranked penalty-kill.
Cody Ceci ($4,000 DK/$4,100 FD)
“Ceci is a guy that could see 25+ minutes without Erik Karlsson in the lineup tonight, and at this price, it’s hard to find a guy that will eat up a lot of minutes and get power-play time like him.”
If you’re looking for big minutes out of a defender in this range, Ceci (“B” DK and FD value) is a solid option in the absence of Erik Karlsson. He’s not an offensive force, but he does shoot it enough to provide a little bit of upside outside of being on the ice for a lot of time. He and his linemate, Thomas Chabot ($3,900 DK/$3,900 FD) both make for interesting plays tonight.
