Happy New Year hockey fans. After another exciting Winter Classic game yesterday, we are back with a huge 12-game slate on Thursday. Let's jump in and take a look at some of the core plays at each position that we can build around.
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Opponent - SJ
Proj Pts FD - 23.29 DK - 17.49
The goalie position is absolutely loaded at the top tonight and I will start with Tristan Jarry who has put the team on his back with injuries Sidney Crosby and now Jake Guentzel. He has tallied a very impressive 8-2 record over his last 10 starts which includes three shutouts and a .939 save %. Even without Sid and Guentzel, the Pens open as -180 favorites tonight going up against a Sharks team that has been on a slide losing 11 of their last 13 games while scoring just 2.3 goals per game. He and Matt Murray have alternated starts in the Pens last four games and if Murray does get the start, I will turn elsewhere in cash games but will have exposure in GPP formats. As for Jarry, if he is in between the pipes on Thursday, he is my favorite goalie in all formats.
Opponent - ANA
Proj Pts FD - 19.46 DK - 14.14
This is more of a play on FanDuel where Raanta comes in under $8K giving him excellent PTS/$ value tonight as a -180 home favorite in one of three games with a low 5.5 total. He will be facing the Ducks who own the 2nd worst record on the season, rank 21st in road offense, and have dropped five of their last seven games. For Raanta, he has worked as the backup behind Darcy Kuemper and while he has been inconsistent he is coming off a 38-save win against the Blues. I will use him as a low-owned GPP play on DraftKings and in all formats on FanDuel.
Also Consider: Semyon Varlamov(NYI) in all formats in a top matchup as a -200 favorite against the Devils 29th ranked offense
Opponent - SJ
Proj Pts FD - 20.66 DK - 16.15
Much like the goalie position, center is absolutely loaded as almost every superstar is in a plus, or at least above-average, matchup. I will start with Evgeni Malkin who checks almost every box tonight. While Tristan Jarry has carried the team in goal it has been Malkin carrying the offense as he has tallied 32 points in 20 games without Crosby while also averaging 3.6 shots on goal per game. Tonight he faces a Sharks team that has dropped 11 of their last 13 games and ranks 24th in road defense on the season. In terms of PTS/$, it is a little closer of a call on FanDuel but on DraftKings, Malkin is our top PTS/$ play at the position.
Stack with: Bryan Rust(all formats), Alex Galchenyuk(GPP)
Opponent - FLA
Proj Pts FD - 13.71 DK - 10.53
In the value range, I love the spot for Pageau and the Senators tonight who have been a goal per game better offensively on home ice. Pageau hasn't provided a ton of shot volume overall(2.4 per game) but has seen an uptick lately with four shots in three of his last four and also comes in with seven points in his last 10. What stands out more than anything is the matchup against the Panthers who have struggled on the road not just lately(10 GA last two road games) but overall ranking 28th in road defense. Pageau is a play for me in all formats.
PP Stack with: Brady Tkachuk, Anthony Duclair, Thomas Chabot
Also Consider: Auston Matthews/John Tavares(TOR) against a struggling Jets team that has given up 4+ goals against in four straight and six of their last seven games
Opponent - TOR
Proj Pts FD - 18.94 DK - 14.67
The Leafs/Jets game is one of four on this slate with a 6.5 total and I would not be surprised to see it go over as both teams are average, at best, on defense. From a PTS/$ perspective, Kyle Connor jumps off the page tonight in the mid $6k range on both sites as he comes in scorching hot with 12 points in his last 10 with an insane 41 shots on goal. All things considered, Connor is my top winger on this slate and safe in all formats.
Stack with: Mark Scheiffele, Patrik Laine
Opponent - WPG
Proj Pts FD - 12.91 DK - 10.12
For value at winger, I will be turning to Zach Hyman who is skating on the top line with Matthews and Marner and also getting time on the second powerplay unit. He isn't going to give us that high floor with shot volume but it is hard to argue with the opportunity and on top of that he and the Leafs also get an elite matchup against the Jets who have given up four or more goals in four straight and six of their last seven games. Fire up Hyman in all formats as a top value and paired with Matthews is one of my top two-man stacks of the night.
Stack with: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner
Also Consider: Max Pacioretty(VGK) in all formats with his insane floor(39 shots last 10 with a 24 iCorsi/60 on the season)
Opponent - NJ
Proj Pts FD - 13.25 DK - 10.6
On defense tonight, I will be taking a more double-value approach in cash games and I will turn to two players I have discussed all season. It starts with Ryan Pulock whose price never seems to rise much above the $5K mark despite the high floor. He comes in with a combined five or more shots/blocks in three straight and four of his last five and averages 4.6 combined on the season. Add in the plus matchup against the Devils and Pulock is a great play in all formats.
Opponent - STL
Proj Pts FD - 12.6 DK - 10.03
If you looked only at the numbers, you would wonder why Graves comes so much cheaper on both sites. Like Pulock, he isn't likely to win you a GPP but provides a very high floor averaging four combined shots/blocks on the season and while it doesn't count for fantasy, he comes in with an insane +29 rating showing just how good he is defensively. I will probably try and find more upside for GPP but will have a ton of exposure to Graves in cash games.
Also Consider: Morgan Rielly/Tyson Barrie(TOR) as GPP plays or Shea Theodore(VGK) as a mid-tier value
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