The Chalk

Name FD Salary/Position DK Salary/Position Estimated Ownership
Alex Ovechkin $9,500 / LW $8,700/ W 10-15%
Nicklas Backstrom $5,800/ C $6,200 / C 7-12%
Justin Williams $5,200 / RW $5,400 / W 5-10%

The Jay Beagle first line experiment is finally over, with Justin Williams returning to the top six where he belongs. Instead of slotting him back with his second line mates, it looks like he will be skating on the top line tonight, if the morning skate line rushes hold true. The Caps have been floundering lately, the effect of building such a huge lead in the Presidents trophy race. They have been complacent, but after getting pounded 6-2 by the rival Penguins on Sunday, I expect a big bounce back game tonight when they visit the Senators. The sample size is quite small, but these three have a Corsi For Percentage of 69.6% (via Puckalytics) when they're on the ice together. Hopefully they will fly under the radar due to their recent struggles, and the second line of Kuznetsov, Oshie and Burakovsky also make for a great stack. There is quite the special teams mismatch here as well, as the Caps 2nd ranked power play will get to feast on the worst penalty killing unit in the league. Matt Niskanen and Dmitry Orlov are playable options on defense.

Name FD Salary/Position DK Salary/Position Estimated Ownership
Alex Killorn $5,600 / LW $4,600/ W 5-10%
Steven Stamkos $8,300/ C $7,400 / C 10-15%
Nikita Kucherov $6,700 / RW $6,900 / W 10-15%

Stamkos and Kucherov have looked fantastic together in their short time on the same line, to the surprise of nobody. This line has combined for two goals in their last three games, and have an impressive Corsi For Percentage of 56.6% this season. The Lightning are projected at just under 30 shots on net tonight, and have the second highest projected team total of the night. The second line of Johnson, Palat and Callahan are also a great stack that should have ownership under 8%. Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman are great plays on defense, as I expect the Lightning to continue their push to catch the Panthers for the division title with a win.

Contrarian Corner

Name FD Salary/Position DK Salary/Position Estimated Ownership
Andrew Ladd $6,000 / LW $5,200/ W 5-10%
Jonathan Toews $7,200/ C $5,800 / C 7-12%
Marian Hossa $5,700 / RW $5,400 / W 5-10%

The Blackhawks are my favorite stack of the night, and their ownership may be difficult to predict, but I have a feeling they will be overlooked for other options on such a big slate of games. They're hosting the Stars tonight at the Madhouse, with the Stars holding a four point lead on Chicago for the Central division crown. This newly formed top line will be in many of my lineups, especially on Draftkings where they are priced very reasonably. The second line of Anisimov, Kane and Panarin are also a great stack, but I expect Kane and Panarin to have much higher ownership than the top line. Projected starting goalie for the Stars Kari Lehtonen doesn't exactly strike fear into anyone's eyes, either. He's got an adjusted save percentage of 90.64% (via war on ice) since January 1st, one of the worst marks in the league. The Stars also have the 22nd ranked PK in the league, not a good recipe against the Hawks potent 4th ranked PP. Duncan Keith is my #1 option on defense tonight.

Name FD Salary/Position DK Salary/Position Estimated Ownership
Cam Fowler $3,700 / D $4,400/ D 2-7%
Ryan Getzlaf $7,700/ C $6,500 / C 5-10%
Corey Perry $7,000 / RW $6,300 / W 5-10%

The red hot Ducks are at the Bell Centre tonight to face the Habs, who will turn to Mike Condon in net tonight. Whenever I see that, I immediately look to target the team facing the Habs. PK Subban will miss another game for the Habs, and the newly formed first line of Perry, Getzaf and McGinn are in a great position to have a big game. The Ducks have the #1 ranked PP in the league, and they should get ample opportunities tonight against a Habs team that they are just bigger and faster than. Sami Vatanen won't be in the lineup tonight for the Ducks, so Cam Fowler will patrol the first unit power play, with Hampus Lindholm, another great play on defense, guiding the second unit. If you're looking for some cheap players, Richard Rakell, David Perron and Brandon Pirri on the second line provide some great upside.



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