Columbus Blue Jackets' Sergei Bobrovsky, of Russia, plays against the Philadelphia Flyers during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Welcome back hockey fans. Thursday brings us an eight-game slate that is split with four games with a 6+ Vegas total and four with a 5.5 total. Let's dig in and take a look at some situations we can attack.
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Opponent - MON
Proj Pts FD - 20.33 DK - 5.08
Bobrovsky currently tops our projections and it makes sense for a couple of reasons starting with the weak goalie options on this slate. Not to be overlooked is how well he has been playing lately either with wins in four of his last five starts with three shutouts. Then there is the matchup which will have a playoff atmosphere as the Habs currently hold a two-point lead in the wildcard but the Blue Jackets have a game in hand. I am expecting a low scoring game and with a mid $7K price tag on DraftKings, Bob is my top goalie in all formats.
Also Consider: Connor Hellebuyck(WPG), Jacob Markstrom(VAN)
Opponent - vs. CHI
Moneyline - SJ -220
Vegas Total - 6.5
Team Projection - 3.9
No team has been more streaky than the Sharks down the stretch who have followed up a six-game winning streak with a six-game losing streak. Great spot for them to get back on track against a Blackhawks team that ranks 30th overall on defense and who they have already beaten 7-3 and 5-2 this season.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 16.63 DK - 4.73
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 14.73 DK - 4.25
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 10.49 DK - 3
When it comes to the Sharks, Timo Meier has been at the top of my list for a while as he checks off all the boxes. It starts with his floor as he is averaging 11.4 shots per 60 with an elite 20.2 iCorsi/60 and he has transformed that into a career year with 62 points. Logan Couture is my top player to pair him with in cash games as we are unsure about the status of Joe Pavelski. I would also consider Gustav Nyquist should he make his way back up to the top line. On defense, Brent Burns has not been his dominant self lately so he will be a GPP only target for me tonight and for cash, I will be turning to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. He has been playing his best hockey of the season lately with 10 points over his last 10 games with 15 shots and 19 blocks.
Opponent - vs. FLA
Moneyline - OTT(+115)
Vegas Total - 6.5
Team Projection - 3.0
This is the other game with a 6.5 total and it makes sense as neither team really likes to play defense ranking 29th and 31st respectively. I personally like targeting the home team but definitely think you can game stack this one as the red goal light should be going off regularly.
Opponent - FLA
Proj Pts FD - 8.48 DK - 2.47
Opponent - FLA
Proj Pts FD - 12.34 DK - 3.54
Opponent - FLA
Proj Pts FD - 7.64 DK - 2.21
The Sens get an elite matchup tonight as the Panthers come into this game having lost three straight and five of their last six games while giving up 29 goals. If you are looking at just one guy for cash games, it is easily Brady Tkachuk who has been very consistent with seven points over his last 10 games with 34 shots on goal. With that production combined with this matchup and a mid $5K price tag on both sites, he is one of the top PTS/$ plays on the entire slate. For GPP, I will be stacking him with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair if he sticks on the top line. He should as he has been playing well with points in five of his last six games.
Also consider Thomas Chabot on defense who comes in with points in three straight games.
Moneyline - BUF - 145
Vegas Total - 6.0
Team Projection - DET(2.8) BUF(3.2)
I love this game from both sides as there are cash games options and it also makes sense to game stack in GPP formats. Both teams tank outside the Top 20 on defense and have less than stellar goaltending. Let's take a look at some names to focus on.
Opponent - BUF
Proj Pts FD - 14.12 DK - 4.11
Opponent - BUF
Proj Pts FD - 13.54 DK - 3.85
I will start with the road team for a couple of reasons starting with the matchup as the Sabres come into tonight having lost 11 of their last 12 games while giving up four or more goals eight times in that span. Looking at DraftKings, Dylan Larkin stands out right away as his price has dipped below $6K. He cooled off a bit as he dealt with some injuries but comes into tonight with points in back to back games and he also provides a high floor with a 10.1 shots/60 and 17.6 iCoris/60 on the season. While Larkin has cooled off, Andreas Athanasiou has heated up averaging a point per game over his last 10 with 33 shots on goal. His high floor is also backed up with a 10.4 shots/60 and 18.3 iCorsi/60.
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 15.85 DK - 4.73
Opponent - DET
Proj Pts FD - 10.6 DK - 3.11
For the Sabres, I am concentrating on Jack Eichel who has elevated his game even more this season and is now an elite center in the league and in fantasy. He has put together a career-year with 75 points in 71 games and also provides an elite floor with an 11.7 shots/60 and 18.6 iCorsi/60 on the season. On defense, I will look to Brandon Montour for value. He has been solid lately with five points in his last 10 games to go along with 36 combined shots/blocks and may see some added ice-time tonight with injuries to Ristolainen, McCabe, and Bogosian on the back end.
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