There is a packed nine-game NHL DFS slate with a ton of picks to make on both DraftKings and FanDuel. We need to keep an eye out for news on the Kings – Blues game. There are rumblings of the game being postponed because of COVID situations over the past couple days.
In this Power Plays article, the goal is to highlight several NHL DFS picks for DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy hockey tournaments. Using Awesemo’s premium proprietary player projections and the top stacks tool, we will highlight several players and situations that will help your team rocket up the leaderboard.
As always, be sure to check our premium Slack for crucial fantasy hockey lineup information in the 20 to 30 minutes leading up to every game’s lock. With the COVID-19 pandemic still looming, teams have taxi squads and are ready to fill positions daily as teams scratch players. Our Slack chat is hands down one of the best places to get fantasy hockey news and line change notifications.
NHL Power Plays: DraftKings + FanDuel Picks | March 15
NHL DFS Picks: Centers
Aleksander Barkov ($6,900 DraftKings/$7,400 FanDuel), A/A/A Grades
Barkov has been one of the best two-way pivots in the league for quite some time. He tallied 31 points in 27 games while averaging 3.5 shots on goal per game. The Panthers just played this same matchup against the Blackhawks on Saturday, so recency bias may come into play tonight. Barkov lit the lamp twice in that game while also pitching in a helper and hitting the shot bonus. He ended the night with a 36.8 DraftKings point night, and I think it’s possible that the Hawks will send out backup goaltender Malcolm Subban to mind the crease tonight as well. The Hawks have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league this year, which is expected with all the young talent they have. Over the last 10 games, Chicago ranks 30th in shots allowed per 60, 24th in goals allowed per 60, 27th in expected goals allowed per 60, and they are allowing the sixth-most scoring and high-danger chances in the league. I’ll have a good amount of exposure to the Panthers tonight.
Chandler Stephenson ($4,400 DraftKings/$4,700 FanDuel), E/D/C Grades
Stephenson looks to continue his point streak tonight against the Sharks. He has 4 helpers in three straight, and that’s a product of playing with an elite line. He’s playing on the top line between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, who is hotter than the sun right now. The three together have ridiculously good numbers in a very large, 460-minute sample. They carry a 59.6% Corsi-for while creating 41 shots per 60, 35 scoring chances per 60, 14 high-danger chances per 60 and 3.27 expected goals per 60. They are one of the best lines in hockey, and they get a great matchup tonight. San Jose is in the bottom five of every advanced metric we like to look at in NHL DFS. One of the main attractions for me tonight, besides the even-strength matchup, is the special teams. Vegas’ top line fully correlates on the man advantage, and they will likely see extended time tonight. Over the last 10 games, San Jose has spent an average of 6:34 short-handed per game. That’s the sixth most in the league, and if one gives the Vegas elite top line extra time to play on the power play, they will make them pay.
[osBestBetsSingleGameOdds league=”nhl” date=”03/15/2021″ team=”capitals”]
NHL DFS Picks: Wingers
Alex Ovechkin ($8,300 DraftKings/$8,000 FanDuel), A/A/A Grades
The Capitals have the third-highest implied team total tonight, and for good reason. Ovechkin is catching a groove, with goals in three out of the last four games, and he’s a nightly contender for the shots bonus. The Sabres have been dreadful since the Taylor Hall acquisition. Buffalo has won just six of their 26 games, and they are firmly planted in the cellar of the East Division. They rank 26th in Corsi, 27th in shots allowed per 60, 29th in goals allowed per 60 and dead last in expected goals against per 60. The Capitals are going to get a plethora of chances tonight, and betting on Ovechkin is always a good play in a plus matchup.
Jakub Voracek ($3,900 DraftKings/$6,300 FanDuel), E/B/D Grades
Voracek’s price has come down to sub $4,000, and I will absolutely have a couple shares tonight. Voracek and the Flyers in general have had a roller coaster year with some inconsistently bad goaltending. They have yet to meet expectations, but Voracek has been coming back into form. Over the last handful of games, he has brought his shot volume back up and is averaging 3 shots per game. He has also hit the shot bonus twice in the last four games. The Rangers are playing a lot better hockey lately, but there are still spots to pick on. Voracek will likely line up with the Filip Chytil line, and they are the most susceptible line. I think paying $3,900 for Voracek is a solid value play tonight.
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NHL DFS Picks: Defensemen
John Carlson ($6,600 DraftKings/$6,600 FanDuel), A/B/A Grades
Carlson will be the top pay-up option tonight for most people. Buffalo has been pretty atrocious on the defensive side of things, and if you’re playing a Caps stack, Carlson makes a great fourth addition. Carlson quarterbacks the top power play, and he isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. He can also facilitate and find Ovechkin in his office at the top of the circle. Carlson logs a ton of ice time and contributes in all facets of the game.
Alexander Edler ($4,800 DraftKings/$4,300 FanDuel), C/A/A Grades
Edler makes a great mid-range value play tonight against the Senators. People like to shy away from Edler because he lost all his power-play time, but he is still killing penalties and has a super strong floor. Over the last 10 games, Edler has averaged over 21 minutes of ice time to go along with 6 shots/blocks per game. The Senators are in the bottom 10 in every advanced metric that we like to look at for NHL DFS, and they give up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenseman. If you’re looking for mid-range value, Edler is a strong play.
Top Stacks
Vegas 1: Max Pacioretty – Chandler Stephenson – Mark Stone
The Golden Knights top line has been amazing with Stephenson pivoting. The trio has a very large sample of over 450 minutes going back to last year. They carry a 59% Corsi-for with 3.26 expected goals. Over the last 10 games, San Jose has struggled a ton on the defensive side of things. They rank in the bottom 10 of every defensive metric and are spending a ton of time on the penalty kill. Vegas’s top line fully correlates on the top power play, and they are in my focal point tonight.
Our top stacks tool gives them an 11% chance of being a top-two stack and a 10% ownership share. With minimal leverage, you need to find a way to get creative with the rest of your lineups to avoid being duped.
Florida 1: Carter Verhaeghe – Aleksander Barkov – Anthony Duclair
Going back to the well with the Panthers top line could pay dividends tonight. The trio has a great sample size with 207 minutes. They carry a 61.3% Corsi-for with 3.51 expected goals per 60, while creating 43 shots per 60, 35.8 scoring chances per 60 and over 16 high-danger chances. The Blackhawks are coming back to earth after playing great hockey in the opening of the year. Chicago is 30th in Corsi, 28th in expected goals allowed per 60, 30th in shots allowed per 60, and they are giving up the fifth-most scoring and high-danger chances. Another focal point for the Panthers is the special teams. Florida’s power play has been very good, and the Hawks have struggled mightily.
Our top stacks tool has the Panthers second line being owned more than the top line because of the power play exposures. But with the Panthers top line having such good numbers, I am going with the five-on-five matchups.
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