Covid protocol has been making a strong onset through the NHL in the past week or so. Keeping an eye on news is imperative to succeeding at NHL DFS. Following my twitter beat writer lists is a huge advantage for getting last minute news and scratches. This Power Play article will use Awesemo’s Premium NHL Tools to help dole out the NHL DFS advice to help with building lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. The Awesemo NHL fantasy projections and ownership projections are two of the best tools to utilize when constructing stacks and making the optimal NHL DFS picks. Let us go position by position and pinpoint some of the top plays and stacks for Thursday, Feb. 17.
NHL DFS Picks, Tops Stacks & Lineup Optimizer Plays
Center
Connor McDavid (EDM vs ANH): DraftKings – $9,300 | FanDuel – $10,200
With the numerous pricing errors and value plays tonight, getting to McDavid should not be a problem. Even a power play stack with McDavid and fellow sniper Leon Draisaitl is possible. McDavid has already lit the Ducks up for a 25 DraftKings point night this year. The best pivot in the league is averaging almost four shots a game and has tallied multiple points in two of the last three games. Anaheim has battled inconsistencies because of their rebuild, but they have a bright future. Their inconsistencies come at a cost though and that means they give up plenty of scoring chances. In the past month, the Ducks are in the bottom five in expected goals against, shots against, scoring chances and high danger chances allowed. The Ducks’ penalty kill has struggled over the last month as well. In the last ten games, Anaheim is dead last in expected goals against and 27th in shots against on the penalty kill. If you give McDavid and company enough chances, they will make you pay.
Connor McDavid is one of the top centers showing up in the Awesemo NHL lineup optimizer and fantasy hockey projections today. For all of our free NHL DFS picks tonight, check out the DraftKings fantasy hockey cheat sheet and FanDuel fantasy hockey cheat sheet.
Winger
Alex Ovechkin (WSH @ PHI): DraftKings – $9,100 | FanDuel – $10,000
Ovechkin returned from Covid protocol and has not missed a beat. He has rallied a point in each game and is coming off a two goal game against the Predators. Ovechkin is a nightly contender for the shot bonus and he has hat trick upside every night. The Flyers have dealt with a plethora of injuries and Covid issues. They are still without two of their best defensive players in Sean Couturier and Ryan Ellis. Vegas opened the money line odds giving the Capitals the third highest money line odds. Although Philadelphia has played better hockey over the past couple of weeks, they are still struggling defensively. They rank in the bottom five of every important metric for NHL DFS. Finally, with Couturier still sidelined, it is going to be tough for the Flyers to hold down Ovechkin.
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL @ MTL): DraftKings – $6,400 | FanDuel – $8,900
Tarasenko is having one of the best years of his career, averaging over a point per game for the first time in his career. The addition of Pavel Buchnevich has been a blessing for not only the Blues but Tarasenko as well. With Robert Thomas pivoting, the Blues’ second line has been very good offensively, carrying a 3.1 expected goals per 60, 59% Corsi rating and creating just under 40 shots on goal per 60 at five on five.
It is no secret that the Canadiens have had an awful year. Their defensive metrics are the worst in the league, as they are a turnstile on the defensive end. They rank in the bottom two in every single advanced metric, not to mention their penalty kill has been equally as awful, killing only 73% of their penalties. Vegas has the Blues pegged as the highest team total of the night, which is no surprise to anyone. Keeping an eye on the ownership would be a good idea on a larger slate. If you are looking to get semi-contrarian, going to the third line for a two man combo or power play stack might get you different enough.
Artemi Panarin (NYR vs DET): DraftKings – $5,900 | FanDuel – $7,900
Panarin’s salary continues to be at discount. Even though his production has been inconsistent, his ceiling is still high. His shot volume has been pretty consistent over the last ten games, averaging three shots per game. He has tallied 16 points over his last ten games as well. He gets a good matchup tonight against the Red Wings. We will likely see the Mika Zibanejad line matchup with Dylan Larkin and the Wings’ top line. That leaves Panarin and the second line to see positive matchups against Detroit depth lines. The Rangers have struggled metrics wise, but they have won three straight against strong competition. They managed to beat the Kraken, Panthers and Bruins. It is possible we see the Rangers make a run and continue their winning streak against a weak Detroit team.
Latest NHL DFS Content
Defensemen
Seth Jones (CHI vs CBJ): DraftKings – $6,700 | FanDuel – $6,900
The Blackhawks have struggled to score goals, which hurts fantasy production. Jones has been logging a ton of ice time (27.2 toi/g). He plays in every situation and quarterbacks the top power play unit. All offense funnels through Jones on the extra man advantage. Over the last ten games, he is averaging just under six shots/blocks per game. The most enticing reason to pay up for Jones tonight is the matchup. The Blue Jackets have given up the most fantasy points per game to opposing defensemen in the league. They are also allowing the second most shots on goal in the league over the last ten games. Jones does not mind blocking shots and the double combo meal is a possibility tonight.
Erik Brannstrom (OTT @ BUF): DraftKings – $2,700 | FanDuel – $4,000
Brannstrom makes for an interesting deep punt tonight. At $2,700, he does not need to do much to pay off that price tag. With Thomas Chabot sidelined, Brannstrom was the recipient of a huge bump to the top power play quarterback role. He played 19 minutes last game against the Blues and chipped in two helpers. The special teams matchup is very good for the Senators tonight. Over the last ten games, Buffalo has been taking a lot of penalties and has struggled a ton killing them. On the kill, they rank 30th in expected goals against, 30th in goals against and 30th in shots against. If you need a super punt, Brannstrom is a fine play at $2,700.
Goalie
Igor Shesterkin (NYR vs DET): DraftKings – $6,900 | FanDuel – $8,900
DraftKings made a massive mistake and priced Shesterkin at $6,900 tonight. Shesterkin has been one of, if not the best, goaltenders in the league so far. He has won ten of his last 11 games while sporting 1.97 goals against per game and a .942 save percentage at home. He will be mega chalk tonight at his price but it is extremely hard to get away from him with that price and just as good of a matchup.
Top NHL DFS Stacks
EDM 1: Jesse Puljujarvi – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
STL 2: Pavel Buchnevich – Robert Thomas – Vladimir Tarasenko
*Additional Data from Natural Stat Trick
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