We’re seeing how important home-ice advantage can be in the playoffs, as home teams (mostly) get to dictate matchups at even-strength. The two lines we’ve got below are both at home and we know which lines they’ll see the most of for the opposition. Awesemo will weigh in first, then I (Tommienation1) will follow up with some additional analysis.
MIN1: Zucker-Staal-Granlund ($15,400 DK/$20,100 FD)
“The Wild have their highest implied total of the series, and this top line was great together in the regular season on home ice.”
Home ice advantage is crucial for this line tonight, as the Wild will get the last change during stoppages in play, meaning this line will avoid the tough top line for the Jets. Zucker, Staal, and Granlund (“B” DK value and points grade) posted over 38 Scoring Chances For per 60 minutes and 20 High-Danger Chances For per 60 minutes, which are both insanely good numbers for a line that has played substantial time together. This trio should get big minutes at even-strength as well as the power-play.
WSH1: Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson ($17,900 DK/$20,600 FD)
“The Capitals have the highest team total on the slate and this line has a great matchup against the Blue Jackets’ depth.”
This line (“A” points grade) played pretty well in game-1 despite not getting the desired results for DFS. They have been one of the highest-event lines in the NHL when playing together, and that’s great news against a team just surrendered 63 shot attempts a few days ago. Ovechkin is undoubtedly one of the top plays on the night, and he can take Kuznetsov and Wilson along for the ride in this huge game for the Capitals.
