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've been fortunate to have some members do well this season, not just in NHL but with other DFS sports as well. I'm going to go on a bit of a rant in terms of bankroll, contest selection, and rewarding yourself.

I've seen many times where a DFS player will go on a heater, take down a big contest or two, and jump up in stakes, only to be brought back to reality.

I can definitely understand the appeal of playing higher stakes contests. I've been there myself. The dream of winning 5 or 6 figures is a dream worth chasing.

At the same time, I think it's important to reward yourself. Otherwise, you're forever playing with "house" money. You don't have to go big either. I just think the act of making a withdrawal is a mental boost and makes all the effort into research, building lineups, and winning into something real and tangible.

Again, this is different for everyone. Everyone had different goals in DFS, but something to think about.

We have a pretty good 9-game slate on tap for tonight so let's dive in!

LETSSSSSSSSSSGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

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, my favorite teams to target on this slate are Sharks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and Lightning

Line Stacks

The top two lines for the Rangers are my favorite and top two ranked lines for tonight. They've been scoring a slate-best 4.1 goals/game over their last 10 games.

Islanders are my second favorite team to target on this slate. My preference would be NYI1, closely followed by NYI2, but wouldn't mind an NYI3 stack if you're feeling like getting wild.

If you need a late-night hammer in your lineups, I'd look at SJS1. Slightly cheaper is SJS2, which I think is a solid option that also ranks well for me.

Columbus is allowing 3 goals a game and I think on a larger slate like tonight, Tampa falls a little under the radar. My preference is TBL1, but I think TBL2 is in play as well.

Risk It For The Biscuit

Buffalo is allowing 3.4 goals a game so it's natural to want to stack against them. There's nothing too exciting about New Jersey, however. My preference would be NJ1 or NJ3. Both are cheap enough to stack with a top-tier line and make for a unique lineup tonight.

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: Juuse Saros - NSH (DK: $8100, FD: $7600)

GPP: Linus Ullmark - BUF (DK: $7200, FD: $6700)

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

Mathew Barzal - NYI (DK: $6700, FD: $6900)

I don't love NYI1 as a stack since Anders Lee has been out, but I like Barzal today as a one-off.

Wing

My Favorite:

Artemi Panarin - NYR (DK: $8400, FD: $7800)

I have already professed my love for Rangers stacks tonight, but if you're looking for me to provide the one person from that game as a "must have", I think it's Panarin tonight.

Defensemen

My Favorite

Brady Skjei - CAR (DK: $3100, FD: $3700)

A team that didn't quite make the cut for me to write about is Carolina. Also, I think there is a lot of lower-priced D to target tonight. For me, that starts with the Carolina defensemen in Brady Skjei and Jaccob Slavin. Both are cheap (Skjei being my favorite) and shoot the puck, making them prime candidates to pick up a point tonight.

Bottom of the Barrel

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

Jared McCann: PIT - C (DK: $ 4400, FD: $ 4100)

Frank Vatrano: FLA - W (DK: $4400, FD: $4200)

Brandon Montour: BUF (DK: $3800, 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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