RADIO
Welcome back RotoBallers! Happy New Year! For those first-time readers, my name is Chris and I write a ton on RotoBaller. The sports universe of writing here spans from NASCAR to football to college sports to of course, hockey. If you have not checked some of those articles out then make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL which means it's time to sharpen our skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Today I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at 7:00 PM. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me at stevens8204@gmail.com or via Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 1/15/22
As I am writing this, the nine-game main slate is taking shape. Hopefully, there are no more postponements between now and puck drop on Saturday night.
The suggestion is to check back on social media often to see who else may have been placed on protocol. Finally, if any postponement news breaks, we will try to get it posted ASAP. The trend has been less of these postponements lately which is good news.
Going forward, every Saturday, we will feature a slimmed down column. The idea will be to keep things simple. Forgive the blunt nature but as always, there will be more on social media and on Slack as well.
NHL DFS Goalies
Igor Shesterkin - DK $8.0K || FD $7.8K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
There has been some debate as to how much of a risk Igor Shesterkin is. However, the goaltender comes East after a successful return in San Jose who missed a week and half and did not miss a beat. He posted a 37-save shutout versus the Sharks as the "Vezina Fantasy Trophy" continues for the goaltender. Yes, the game is in Philadelphia. However, the goalie is 9-3 on the road with a 2.34 goals against average and while facing nearly 33 shots a game. Volume is good. Saves are even better.
Stuart Skinner - DK $8.2K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
This features less risk than most picks because Skinner has probably been the most stable of the three Edmonton goaltenders in their fold. Yes, the Oilers have been in a freefall for more than a month but Skinner has been pretty good in goal. Despite a 4-5 record in nine decisions, he does have a .916 save percentage which is respectable. Those numbers at home look much better with a 3-1 mark and a ,945 save percentage. Ottawa may have looked great in their first game back but the road is a different animal.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fleury (DK $7.8K || FD $7.2K), Vejmelka (DK $6.9K || FD $6.7K). Again watch for more COVID announcements.
NHL DFS Centers
Nazem Kadri - DK $6.9K || FD $10.0K
Opponent - Arizona Coyotes
After starting the season a little slow, Kadri went on some run that most thought was unsustainable. Yes, admittedly anyone can be wrong including us. Now, the center's price is not a misprint on FanDuel (as high as Nathan MacKinnon). Utilizing him on DraftKings is a better play. If one is looking for a poor man's Kadri on FanDuel, look at Evgeni Malkin (who is just $6.200 on FanDuel). The funny part is Kadri has three goals and 17 points in his last ten games but shooting at just 8.3% -- which is off from his season average of 12.5%. He may even be due for a few more goals. His shot bonus potential makes him worth the salary alone on DraftKings.
Jared McCann - DK $4.8K || FD $5.6K
Opponent - Los Angeles Kings
So, top line Jared McCann is fun and we are here for it because the salary is right. Screw ownership rates and just let it fly. McCann has 39 shots in his last ten games which again puts the shot bonus in as a possibility. He has five goals and eight points in the past eight games with three assists coming via the power play. McCann is a good threat and at home, even better, as they average 32 shots per 60 in Seattle. The Kraken do play better at home, at least offensively. If McCann keeps playing 17 minutes a night, he almost has to be rostered somewhere. His skill can thrive especially against a Los Angeles defense that can be a little thin.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Matthews(DK $9.2K || FD $10.1K), Thomas(DK $5.5K || FD $5.5K), Hayes (DK $3.6K || FD $4.7K), Cirelli (DK $4.3K || FD $5.6K)
NHL DFS Wings
Jordan Kyrou - DK $6.4K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs
The Jordan Kyrou breakout season continues as the winger is now up to 14 goals and 23 assists in 33 games. With Vladimir Tarasenko in COVID protocol at press time, Kyrou is still the best play from the Blues on Saturday against Toronto. Kyrou is averaging nearly three shots a game in his past ten contests. His shot volume is coming up and so is his power play production. What is lost is the five power-play points in this span. Kyrou is up to 13 special teams points on the season. This is all while the winger plays a tidy 16+ minutes a night. With the nine-game slate and lots of forward options, this winger may go a bit under the radar.
Clayton Keller - DK $5.3K || FD $6.2K
Opponent - Colorado Avalanche
No, this is a pure home dart on Saturday night with the expectation of more goals due to familiarity breeding contempt. The back end of a home-and-home sounds like a good idea to mini game stack. Keller is sneaky good. Seven goals and 44 shots on goal in his last ten games is just all the more reason to play the winger on Saturday. The idea is to try and get to as many bonus options as possible. Any increased point potential has to be exploited. While Edmonton options not named McDavid and Draisaitl are intriguing, Keller remains more sensible even at his slightly increased salary.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Marner(DK $6.3K || FD $6.4K), Batherson(DK $5.7K || FD $7.0K), Arvidsson(DK $5.0K || FD $5.9K), Kyrou(DK $4.2K || FD $5.9K), Foligno(DK $2.8K || FD $5.6K)
NHL DFS Defensemen
Erik Karlsson - DK $4.6K || FD $6.3K
Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins
There may be other players on this slate that should be considered more but Karlsson's price on DraftKings and production merit a closer look. He has 34 shots in his last ten games. The defense and the lack of power play production is troubling. Strangely enough, Karlsson has had a lot of looks lately on the man advantage. Maybe the luck goes the other way Saturday against a very familiar opponent in Pittsburgh. Again, some Karlsson like options are out there too. Evan Bouchard is kind of a similar position along with Shayne Gostisbehere.
Braden Schneider - DK $3.0K || FD $3.9K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
Since we can take a risk and go with the offensive defenseman on Saturday, Braden Schneider, a first round pick from 2020, scored a goal, and had three shots on goal. The idea is that Schneider is more of a defensive defenseman. However, the 20 year old has shown an NHL caliber shot -- both wrist and slapper. With Philadelphia's struggles on shot defense (32nd in unblocked shot attempts from the point), Schneider could find a few shots get to the net and yes, rebounds happen. At the very least, the defenseman could be good for a nice floor including some blocked shots.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Seider(DK $5.6K || FD $5.9K), Doughty (DK $5.3K || FD $6.6K), Dahlin (DK $4.8K || FD $5.3K), Drysdale (DK $4.3K || FD $4.0K.
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- EDM1
- COL 1
- ARZ 1
- OTT 2
- STL 1 (TOR PP 1 is too obvious)
- NYR 1
Chris’s Stack of the Day
ARZ: Keller-Kessel-Gostisbehere
Chalk Stack:
TOR: Matthews-Nylander-Marner
Sneaky Stacks:
BUF: Skinner-Tuch-Dahlin
TBL: Cirelli-Killorn-Stamkos (maybe Cernak)
