Written by LineStar Fantasy Life Coach @ZeroInDenver.

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Welcome to the NHL Hat Trick.

ICYMI - The NHL Season Preview & Strategy guide goes over the basics of NHL DFS and what I look for when researching players.

We get EDM-OTT again on the slate, which might as well be NHL Coors. You know there's going to be goals, and I think it's ok to ride the chalk. The challenge will be building a unique and viable lineup.

With that said, let's take a look at tonight's slate... LETSSSSSSSSSSGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Tonight's Slate

Here's numbers on the teams from their past 10 games. Generally, I start my research by looking for teams in good spots. For example, teams that score goals (GF60) that are facing teams that give up goals (GA60). I also look at teams that shoot a lot (CF60) that are facing teams that give up a lot of shots (CA60).

Based on this, teams that stand out to me are Edmonton, Colorado, St Louis, and Anaheim

Line Stacks

Just like the other night, Edmonton will be mega-chalk tonight. I think that's ok, and I wouldn't talk anyone off of Edmonton tonight. For me, I think my approach will be to stuff as much Edmonton into my lineups as possible. It's not unreasonable to expect the depth lines to contribute tonight and they could help add uniqueness to your lineups.

Colorado hasn't really gone off lately, but that's not going to stop me from stacking them against the Kings tonight. Again, really like the top line and PP1, but I think this is another case where stuffing your lineup might really pay off as multiple lines could contribute tonight.

For St. Louis, I really like the top two lines. Between the two, I think I like the first line more as Vegas tends to give up more fantasy points to the opposing top line, but I'll have shares of the second line and PP1 as well.

I'm going right back to Montreal, even though they played last night. I prefer MON2, but will have shares of MON1 as well.

Risk It For The Biscuit

I think Anaheim will be popular tonight. They're cheap, and they're playing the Sharks. I don't really love any of their full lines. My expectation will be that ANH1 will be the most popular, but I think I'm going to go with Zegras-Rakell pairs and ANH3.

Goaltender Rankings

How to Read This: 

I'm giving you a comparison of LineStar projections vs the average fantasy points scored over their last 10 games. I've also given you their save percentage (over 0.910 is ideal), goals allowed (lower is better), saves per game (more is better), GAA (Goals Saved Above Average), and my projected upside for each goalie.

Generally, if I'm stacking a team, I'll correlate a goalie if I can. In GPPs, I may not have the salary to make this work. In this case, I usually spend down on someone that I expect will take a lot of shots and could pick up the W.

As always - double-check that your goalie is starting before the game starts.

My Favorites:

CASH: Mike Smith - EDM (DK: $8.00, FD: $8200)

GPP: Antti Raana - ARI (DK: $7400, FD: $7300)

Forwards and Defensemen Rankings

How to Interpret C/D/W charts: In NHL DFS, I think it's most important to look at peripheral stats instead of goals which is why I put so much emphasis on shots. This includes shot attempts, high danger shot attempts (those shot attempts closest to the net with the highest probability of going into the net), shots on goal, and scoring chances. I've included projections and average fantasy points to see how each compares so you can more easily find value.

Center

My Favorite

Brayden Schenn - STL (DK: $5600, FD: $6500)

For me, it's McDavid, MacKinnon, and then everyone else. Take those two off the slate, and Schenn is my favorite. Fleury and Lehner are out for Vegas, and their defense is missing Pietrangelo. I like St. Louis tonight, and it starts with Schenn for me.

Wing

My Favorite:

Rickard Rakell - ANH (DK: $5800, FD: $6300)

I think Anaheim is going to get some ownership tonight (which feels weird to say) and Rakell has been playing well. I don't like Anaheim for stacks, but love Rakell as a one-off.

Defensemen

My Favorite

Tyson Barrie - EDM (DK: $6400, FD: $5600)

I love both Barrie and Nurse tonight, but leaning Barrie for the PP1 correlation. This is a rare case, too, where a double-D stack makes sense.

Bottom of the Barrel

Here are my cheap calls for a skater to pick up a goal or assist.

Zach Sanford: STL - C (DK: $ 3600, FD: $ 4400)

Tyler Pitlick: ARI- W (DK: $2900, FD: $4000)

Ryan Graves: COL - D (DK: $ 4400, FD: $ 3900)

Disclaimer: Keep in mind, plays and thoughts listed are my own. You should all do your own research and you might (and probably should) disagree with me in some spots. Don't be afraid to go your own way.

Good luck today! Tag me in the LineStar Chat @ZeroInDenver if you have any questions or feedback. Follow me on Twitter @ZeroInDenver.

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