It’s a two-game slate in the NHL on Wednesday with Winnipeg hosting Montreal in Game 1 of their second-round series, and Vegas looking to rebound from a Game 1 loss in Colorado. Both home teams are favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, and the Avalanche are receiving notable chalk after running over the Golden Knights, 7-1, on Sunday. Here’s a look at the daily fantasy landscape ahead of the action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Top Line Stacks
Avalanche vs. Golden Knights
Gabriel Landeskog ($6,200) - Nathan MacKinnon ($9,000) - Mikko Rantanen ($7,600)
Colorado’s No. 1 line combined for five goals and three assists during Game 1 to improve to an otherworldly 32 combined points through just five games. Additionally, they’ve piled up 88 shot attempts and 22 individual high-danger scoring chances, so the looming negative scoring regression might be lean. Just remember, MacKinnon, Landeskog and Rantanen are likely to be popular, and Vegas did allow the fewest goals per game and had the best penalty-kill percentage in the league during the regular season.
Golden Knights at Avalanche
Max Pacioretty ($6,900) - Chandler Stephenson ($4,300) - Mark Stone ($6,000)
The Stephenson-Pacioretty-Stone line largely avoided Colorado’s No. 1 line at 5-on-5 in Game 1, and they drove possession with eight shot attempts compared to just three against. The trio combined for an impressive 5.79 goals per 60 minutes during the regular season and also project to provide coverage to both of Vegas’ power-play units on Wednesday.
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Superstar to Build Around
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens ($6,400) - There’s hit and miss in Connor’s game, and with a number of superstars already highlighted, it’s important to know there’s a low floor here. Still, he’s racked up five tallies and four helpers through his past six games dating back to the regular season while totaling 25 shot attempts and five individual high-danger scoring chances through four games in the first round against Edmonton.
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Value on Offense
Paul Stastny, Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens ($3,600) - The veteran adds sneaky value because of his role on the No. 1 power-play unit, and Stastny also has solid underlying statistics. He’s tied for the team lead in individual high-danger scoring chances with seven through just four playoff games.
Tyson Jost, Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights ($2,800) - The 2016 first-round selection has found the scoresheet in three of the past four games and racked up a respectable 20 shot attempts and four individual high-danger scoring chances during the postseason. Near minimum salary, Jost checks out as an upside source of cap relief.
Stud Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens ($7,900) - After slowing down the Oilers, the Canadiens shouldn’t be a tough test for Hellebuyck. He’s won six straight starts dating back to the regular season with a .954 save percentage and 1.43 GAA, and that stretch includes two shutouts. This salary is a gift considering Montreal has scored just nine goals at 5-on-5 through seven playoff games.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche ($7,700) - It was a little surprising to see Fleury watching Game 1 from the bench, but his salary has dropped into profit territory. Considering how well he’s played this season, he’s worth considering for those looking for contrarian angles. After all, Fleury posted a .931 save percentage and 1.71 GAA in the first round after recording .928 and 1.98 marks during the regular season.
Value on Defense
Neal Pionk, Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens ($4,700) - A return to the No. 1 power-play unit boosts Pionk’s fantasy value, and he’s coming off an impressive first-round showing with three assists, six shots and eight blocks through four games. His multiple avenues to fantasy points provide a high-floor, high-ceiling profile.
Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights ($3,600) - After posting a sneaky 15th-ranked finish in points per 60 minutes among regular defensemen during the regular season, Girard’s salary stands out as a value. He skates with the No. 2 power-play unit and has picked up three assists, seven shots and six blocks while averaging a healthy 22:23 of ice time per game through five postseason contests.
Power-Play Defenseman
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights ($5,800) - Not only does Makar pace regular NHL defensemen in points per 60 minutes over the past two seasons, but he’s also recorded 22 points — including six goals — through 10 playoff games over the past two years. This salary probably isn’t prohibitive enough to take him off your radar, nor will it make it too difficult to fit him into lineups.
Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche ($5,500) - The power-play quarterback finished second in points and paced all regular NHL defensemen in points per 60 minutes during the regular season, and then had a breakout Game 7 showing with two assists in Round 1. Theodore followed it up with five shot attempts on Sunday, and he remains a solid target given his role, shot volume and proven offensive track record.
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