Written by LineStar Fantasy Life Coach @ZeroInDenver.

Check out the NHL Season Preview & Strategy Guide

Got NHL DFS questions or want to see something covered in this newsletter? Hit me up in LineStar Chat.

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.

ICYMI2 - Tonight's game between Nashville and Dallas has been postponed. Stay warm and safe out there, friends.

We have a couple more teams coming back to action after being shut down due to COVID protocols. Do I change my approach? Read below.

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:

MacKenzie Blackwood - NJD (DK: $7100, FD: $7000) *EXPECTED STARTER*

I really like the price of Blackwood tonight. He also has a decent matchup against a Rangers team that is only scoring 2.3 goals a game.

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

Nathan MacKinnon - COL (DK: $8800, FD: $8300)

Like Matthews last night, I want to spend up at center and I'm going to let my homerism show a little by going after MacKinnon. I'm projecting this slate to be a lower-scoring slate than last night, so I want to put players in my lineups that can pick up multiple points.

Wing

My Favorite:

Bryan Rust - PIT (DK: $6600, FD: $6300)

SPOILER: PIT1 is my favorite stack on the night, and I think Rust makes for a great one-off in your lineups if you aren't feeling a full stack.

Defensemen

My Favorite

Mike Matheson - PIT (DK: $2600, FD: $3600)

I think tonight is the night to punt D and I think double-punting with Matheson and Whitecloud might be the move.

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: $4K, FD: $4.4K)

Adrian Kempe: LAK - W (DK: $4.2K, FD: $4.8K)

Damon Severson: NJD - D (DK: $3.8K, FD: $4.3K)

Line Stacks

Here are my ranked stacks for tonight:

Favorite Stacks Tonight:

Risk-It-For-The-Biscuit Stacks:

DFS Strategy - COVID Teams Coming Back Part 2

Two more teams, New Jersey and Minnesota play again for the first time since being shut down due to COVID protocols. As we saw with Buffalo last night and Colorado over the weekend, teams have been a little sluggish. Buffalo didn't record a shot on goal in the whole third period last night.

I think this makes the slate a little tricky. On one hand, it's not a large slate. If a team like Buffalo or Colorado were to bounce back, that could be a GPP winner. However, I think the likelihood of that happening is low. I expect to have some Buffalo, NJ, Colorado, and Minnesota stacks, but in very limited numbers. I think there are better options on the slate that are worth putting money behind than putting a lot of chips on "what ifs".

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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