Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid works for the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 4, 2016. The Blue Jackets won 6-3. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Hello hockey fans and welcome to another day of NHL playoff action here at DFSR. We have four games on tap for today with one game (Min vs. Stl) taking place in the afternoon. We have some good action happening so far so let's take a look at some picks shall we?
Hockey is back and with it come our NHL projections which help inform these picks every night. When you purchase a DFSR NHL subscription to our base hockey projections you also get access to our brand new MLB DFS suite of tools including full projections, optimal MLB lineu, s and our Player Lab, which includes filters to help you create MLB lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings for any format. It’s a set of tools well beyond anything we’ve ever had, and something we feel will help our users crush the MLB season.
If you want to see the numbers behind our projections, create lineups with a single click, or research as deeply as your heart desires, click the button below to test out yourself.
MIN Offense (2nd) vs. STL Defense (18th)
STL Offense (14th) vs. MIN Defense (4th)
Series Update - STL 2-0
Here we have our matinee game and there is an all-day slate on both sites. The Blues won the first two games in a very tough atmosphere in Minnesota and now they travel home to play the next two games. I said before the playoffs started that St. Louis was my upset pick of the first round and they aren't letting me down so far. After being out-shot 52-26 in the first game, they tightened up on defense and Minnesota only out-shot them 24-22 last game. The Wild won't go down without a fight though and it should be another close game today.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 14.96 DK - 3.74
The Blues are currently only -110 favorites to win today, but Allen faced 76 shots in the first two games, so even if the Wild pull away with a victory, he should still exceed value. I personally think that the Blues are currently too strong for Minnesota and they will go up 3-0 in the series. Allen has only allowed two goals so far in both games and he is my favorite goalie in all formats today.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 12.48 DK - 3.54
This guy is too cheap on both sites considering his current production as he plays with Vladimir Tarasenko on the #1 line and #1 PP for the Blues. He has a goal, an assist and seven shots in the first two games of the series and he is one of my favorite plays today in all formats from a PTS/$ perspective.
Opponent - STL
Proj Pts FD - 10.92 DK - 3.23
If you want to fade Allen today, then this guy makes a great play. He offers safety as he blocks a shot per game and fires a decent amount of shots on goal. He always has massive upside potential on any given day as well because of his immense talent. He has two goals (one on the PP) while firing nine shots on goal in playoff two games and if you choose a different goalie today, then he is a great play in all formats.
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 6.03 DK - 1.75
I thought the first game of the series was a fluke for this guy but I guess I was wrong. He has two goals, two shots and six blocks so far while averaging 23 minutes of ice-time. He is way too cheap for that kind of production and he is a great play in all formats. Some guys are just made for the playoffs.
MTL Offense (15th) vs. NYR Defense (12th)
NYR Offense (4th) vs. MTL Defense (5th)
Series Update - TIED 1-1
Wow, was game two an awesome game to watch or what? I am a Habs fan so I've watched the first two games very closely. Tomas Plekanec scored for the Canadiens with 18 seconds left in the 3rd period to tie the game 3-3 and Alexander Radulov scored in OT to even the series. It was an exciting game to watch with a ton of back and forth action at both ends. Montreal outshot the Rangers 45-30 in regulation and 58-38 overall. The series now heads to Manhattan for two games where Montreal won both games that were played there between the two teams in the regular season. Look for a lot of shots on goal again by both teams and we are finding more value plays after each game played.
Opponent - NYR
Proj Pts FD - 8.83 DK - 2.58
This wiry veteran loves getting under the opposing team's skins and he seems to have found his groove after game two. He scored a goal on a whopping nine shots while playing 22 minutes. Look for the Rangers to take advantage of having the last line change option on home-ice and they will try and contain Montreal's top line of Pacioretty, Radulov and Danault. Gallagher plays on the #2 line and he plays on the powerplay a lot so he is a solid play in all formats.
Opponent - NYR
Proj Pts FD - 12.76 DK - 3.91
We have a lot of cheaper value at the defense position today, so I think we can spend up a bit here for this game and Weber is starting to heat up at the right time for the Habs. He is their powerplay QB and he has an assist with nine shots and nine blocks in his last two games and he logged an average of 28 minutes of ice-time in those two games. He is too cheap for his current production and like Gallagher, Weber is also a solid play in all formats.
Opponent - MON
Proj Pts FD - 11.29 DK - 3.29
The Rangers have been able to score a few goals on Carey Price in the first two games and they should be fired up for Game 3 in their home barn. Stepan had an assist with four shots and two blocks last game and he plays on the #1 line and #1 PP unit. It's not usually the best idea to target players against Price in cash games, but he is a great gpp play stacked with his line-mates.
PIT Offense (1st) vs. CLB Defense (3rd)
CLB Offense (5th) vs. PIT Defense (15th)
Series Update - PIT 2-0
The Penguins have owned this series so far. They won 4-1 last game and they've outscored the Blue Jackets 7-2 in the first two games. Columbus is a different team on home-ice though and they should put up a much tougher fight tonight. With that being said, Pittsburgh has too much depth to try and shut them down completely. The Jackets could possibly find some offense at home, but I also think that Pittsburgh will still score at least a couple of goals.
Opponent - CBJ
Proj Pts FD - 12.81 DK - 3.81
Everyone and their ancestors will be all over "Sid and the Kids" (Pittsburgh's 1st line) but you need to hear me out here. With Columbus having the last line change, they will send Brandon Dubinksy and company to shut down the Crosby line and they will probably be successful in doing that. This means that Kessel and Malkin will have a ton of room to do their thing. Kessel scored a goal and assist with nine shots on goal in the first game and look for him to come out firing early and often in Game 3. He offers safety as well as upside because he should be lower owned.
Opponent - PIT
Proj Pts FD - 10.36 DK - 2.95
If you think that the Jackets can solve Fleury and the Pens, then this guy should be a part of it. He assisted on his team's only goal last game and he plays on the #1 line and #1 PP unit.
Opponent - CBJ
Proj Pts FD - 7.72 DK - 2.25
Chris and I love finding value on defense so that we can fit higher priced forwards into our lineups. Kris Letang is out for the season for the Penguins, so this guy is seeing more time on the ice as a result. Cole contributed with two assists, a shot and two blocks last game and he has eight blocks in his last three games, so at these cheap prices, he is a great play in all formats.
EDM Offense (12th) vs. SJ Defense (2nd)
SJ Offense (13th) vs. EDM Defense (11th)
Series Update - TIED 1-1
After blowing a 2-0 lead in the first game, the Oilers came out and rebounded nicely as they blanked the Sharks 2-0 to tie the series at one game apiece. Goaltender Cam Talbot looks dialed in at the moment, but the shark tank is a tough place to play in. I do expect another low-scoring game, but there are still a couple of guys in play here.
Opponent - SJ
Proj Pts FD - 19.84 DK - 5.66
We still haven't seen the best of this young superstar yet in this series, but that could and should change today. He still has a goal and assist in the first two games, but he's only fired four shots on goal. Look for him to shoot the puck more in this game and he's as close to matchup proof as it comes. "McJesus" is a great play in all formats.
Opponent - EDM
Proj Pts FD - 8.88 DK - 2.64
I don't like any of the Sharks' forwards currently in this series, but this guy is a tough fade on defense at these prices. He has an assist, four shots and seven blocks in his last two games and he has safety written all over him.
Hockey is back and with it comes our NHL projections which help inform these picks every night. When you purchase a DFSR NHL subscription to our base hockey projections you also get access to our brand new NFL DFS suite of tools including full projections, optimal NFL lineups and our Player Lab, which includes filters to help you create NFL lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings for any format. It’s a set of tools well beyond anything we’ve ever had, and something we feel will help our users *ahem* tackle the NFL season.
If you want to see the numbers behind our projections, create lineups with a single click, or research as deeply as your heart desires, click the button below to test out yourself.
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