Written by LineStar Fantasy Life Coach @ZeroInDenver.

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Welcome back 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 a solid 9-game slate tonight and the Buffalo Sabres return to play tonight after being shut down due to COVID protocols. Are they a good play? I give my thoughts below, but let's take a look at how everything stacks up for tonight.

But first, let's dive into tonight's slate.

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).

Legend: CF% = Corsi For Percentage, CF60 = Corsi For Per60 min, CA = Corsi Allowed Per 60 Min, HDCF60 = High Danger Corsi For Per 60 Min, HDCA60 = High Danger Corsi Allowed Per 60 Min, SF60 = Shots on Goal For Per 60 Min, SA60 = Shots on Goal Allowed Per 60 Min, SOT = % of Shot Attempts On Goal, Sh% = % of Shots on Goal That Are Goals, SCF60 = Scoring Chances For Per 60 Min, SCA60 = Scoring Chances Allowed Per 60 Min, GF60 = Goals For Per 60 Min, GA60 = Goals Allowed Per 60.

Goaltender Rankings

How to Interpret This: I've added LineStar Projected Ownership, LineStar Projected Fantasy Points, and Goalie GAA (Goals Saved Above Average), and Saves/60, along with my projected upside for each goalie. Generally, I'm looking for goalies that I think will get a win with a positive (green) GSAA and a high saves number.

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

My Favorite:

Kevin Lankinen - CHI (DK: $7800, FD: $7400) *EXPECTED STARTER*

I always prefer to correlate goalie with one of my stacks, but as a one-off, I prefer Lankinen tonight. He's given up some goals, but he faces a lot of shots and has a pretty good .930 Save%.

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), and shots on goal. I've included projections and average fantasy points to see how each compares so you can more easily find value.

Center

My Favorite

Auston Matthews - TOR (DK: $8800, FD: $8600)

Chirp me for picking one of the most expensive guys, but he's got a great matchup again Ottawa tonight.

Wing

My Favorite:

Filip Forsberg - NSH (DK: $6600, FD: $7200)

Compared to the other 5 listed, I think he's still underpriced and has a great ceiling.

Defensemen

My Favorite

Tyson Barrie - EDM (DK: $5400, FD: $5600)

Slightly cheaper than Nurse, but gets time on the top powerplay unit with McDavid.

Bottom of the Barrel

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

Jean-Gabriel Pageau: NYI - C (DK: $3.8K, FD: $4.2K)

Brock McGinn: CAR - W (DK: $3.4K, FD: $3.6K)

Kevin Shattenkirk: ANH - D (DK: $4.2K, FD: $3.9K)

Line Stacks

Here are my ranked stacks for tonight:

Favorite Stacks Tonight:

Risk-It-For-The-Biscuit Stacks:

DFS Strategy - COVID Teams Coming Back

Got a question in chat regarding the approach we should take with several teams that were shut down due to COVID protocols returning to play. Personally, I'm going to give them a few games to shake the rust off. For the most part, these teams haven't been skating. I believe this will hurt teams more than helping them. I know it's only one game, but the Avalanche were shut out yesterday. I think, for the most part, it will take teams a few games to get back in the swing of things and for that reason, I think I'll be excluding those players for the most part.

But what do you think?

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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