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The NHL season approaches the Christmas season as December begins! Expect the unexpected. 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 Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 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!
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 12/1
We feature a six game main slate, headlined by Toronto, Colorado, Edmonton, Vegas, and yes Ottawa versus Vancouver. The lock is at 7:00 which means obviously the afternoon games get their own separate DFS slate.
There is some news worth mentioning. Watch out for injuries and sadly much illness (not all COVID-related). Finally, goaltending confirmations and further injury news will be scrutinized heavily on social media. Oh, Detroit and Anaheim are both on the back end of back-to-back games.
The goal will be to keep things as simple as possible. Our focus will be as much on interactions on social media and in chatrooms. This is because news and numbers have become that fluid now. Everything changes at a breakneck pace.
NHL DFS Goalies
Igor Shesterkin - DK $8.2K || FD $8.5K
Opponent - New York Rangers
The question is are the Philadelphia Flyers going to come out fired up? Yes. Will Igor Shesterkin be ready? That answer is likely yes. The Russian goaltender is 11-3-2 on the season and has a .931 save percentage. Also, he has a 73.3% quality start rate. He is seeing less shots (29.83 shots per game) and chances per game faced at home but New York will or should see Philadelphia's best effort on Wednesday. Shesterkin is an expensive option on Wednesday but could still be worth it given his record against the Flyers over his past several starts. The start will be quite vital here.
Filip Gustavsson - DK $7.6K || FD $6.7K
Opponent - Vancouver Canucks
The Ottawa Senators are an extreme risk as they still climb out of the clutches of the COVID fallout. That is the reality. Gustavsson has played well in three of his last four starts -- all in losing efforts. He is more reliable than Anton Forsberg and Matt Murray. Too often, Filip Gustavsson has faced 35 or more shots. That is great for the potential DraftKings saves bonus. The one thing Vancouver does excel as it is this. They allow the most DFS points to opposing goaltenders in the NHL. The key will be does Ottawa decide to pivot back to Gustavsson? Keep an eye out for this. If not, there is always gambling on Thomas Greiss versus Seattle maybe or even Tristan Jarry versus Edmonton.
Please watch for late-breaking goaltender confirmations during the early evening. This will allow you to be ready to make pivots as needed.
NHL DFS Centers
Mika Zibanejad - DK $6.8K || FD $7.2K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
DraftKings and FanDuel agree here for a change. Mika Zibanejad enjoyed playing the Philadelphia Flyers last year and was a springboard to a nice second half for the center. The pivot has just four goals on 50 shots (8% shooting percentage). That is well below his career average of 12.9%. He is still averaging a solid 2.5 shots per game and Philadelphia is allowing 34.8 shots per game which is the worst in the NHL. With the potential of a multiple-point game likely, Zibanejad has to be considered in the same sentence as the McDavid's and Draisaitl's of the world. The idea of spending several thousand dollars less is intriguing at least.
Nazem Kadri - DK $6.9K || FD $8.2K
Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs
Centers tend to do pretty well in this spot. The nice thing for Kadri will be he still gets to occupy the top power-play with Nathan MacKinnon returning. He has four goals and 21 points in his last ten games. If anything, Kadri may have a better chance of scoring goals on Wednesday night. The pivot keeps firing four shots on goal more often that not of late. Aside from silly narratives of former team, etc, Kadri has that knack of getting shots on goal and scoring chances created. It will be an interesting night from Toronto. Does the Colorado pace win out or can Jack Campbell and Toronto's team defense hold things down at home? Get the popcorn ready for this one.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Matthews (DK $9.3K || FD $9.4K), Crosby (DK $7.6K || FD $7.5K). Strome (DK $4.5K || FD $5.6K), Stephenson (DK $4.7K || FD $5,2K). The key is to watch pricing discrepancies now. There are going to be some fun matchups including again the Edmonton centers versus Jarry. Also, do not sleep on Detroit versus Seattle or even Vancouver versus Ottawa.
NHL DFS Wings
Max Pacioretty- DK $7.0K || FD $8.0K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
There are so many ideas here and the nice part is that Pacioretty is back and firing tons of shots on goal. Ah, what else is new? Pacioretty has five points in four games so far on the season. Anaheim will be on the back end of a back-to-back and may be without Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf's injury appeared to be a bit more serious than first thought but is something to keep an eye on. Pacioretty could have a number of opportunities again. Anaheim's youth could be very helpful in forming more of an advantage to Max Pacioretty on Wednesday night.
William Nylander - DK $6.4K || FD $7.8K
Opponent - Colorado Avalanche
This is one that could be a solid boost to DFS lineups. William Nylander has ten points in his last ten games with four goals. Colorado allows the second-most DFS points to left-wingers. Also, Nylander has 16 shots on goal in his previous three contests. Colorado has yielded a few more shots and chances this season when compared to last season on the road. Does he experience some positive home progression? That's a great question too. At some point, the goals have to come as well. It is time to tinker at least a little.
Artemi Panarin - DK $7.1K || FD $8.0K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
There are lots of possibilities and even Jake Guentzel will be going up against an Edmonton Oilers. However, Artemi Panarin going against the Philadelphia Flyers expects to be something else. The Russian winger has 11 points in his last ten games and nearly three shots a game. That is up from just barely over two shots a night during the early weeks of the season. New York is well rested after not playing against the New York Islanders on Sunday. This game at MSG could be a wild one as both teams want to push the pace.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Batherson (DK $5.1K || FD $6.1K, Raymond (DK $3.8K || FD $5.4K), Henrique (DK $4.3K || FD $5.5K), Garland (DK $5.1K || FD $5.0K), Bunting (DK $3.4K || FD $4.5K). Again, the key is just to keep perusing for values particularly with the later games. Keep an eye on the injuries and yes the flu. It's not just COVID, by the way.
NHL DFS Defensemen
Bowen Byram - DK $4.3K || FD $4.3K
Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs
While December is now upon us, the slate features a great matchup for Colorado who should thrive somewhat offensively with them pushing the pace. After all, Colorado knows little other way. Also, Byram is reasonably priced and will see some time with Cale Makar. There is a temptation to look elsewhere but in order to spend up, one has to look at the numbers realistically. Byram has seven points in his last nine games while averaging two shots a game. Some matchups are not as frightful as they may appear on this slate.
Kris Russell - DK $2.7K || FD $3.5K
Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a risky proposition at best. Russell can block shots and for that lone, he is worth examining further at least. He is averaging nearly three blocked shots a game. That included six in his last game. Now, offense is fleeting as Russell has just one shot a game and one assist overall in his previous nine starts. The best bet here is the idea that one can take a punt play.There are a few options like this on Wednesday night.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Letang (DK $7.0K || FD $6.0K), Makar (DK $7.5 K || FD $7.2K), Fox (DK $7.2K || FD $7.0K). Again watch out for pricing and yes COVID because more news will come out before lock (typically around 5:00 pm ET or so).
TOP Power Play Lines/Stacks for Wednesday
- COL PP 1 (Kadri and MacKinnon and Makar)
- OTT 1 (Batherson and Norris?)
- NYR 1 (highest projection on slate per dollar)
- TOR 1 (Get me the Nylander)
- VAN PP 1
- DET 2
Chris’s Line Stacks of the Day
PIT: Crosby-Guentzel-Letang
SEA: Gourde-McCann-Oleksiak
To The Moon Game Stack
Vegas and Anaheim
Please keep in mind that there will be many shifts in lines with most teams especially early. Between COVID, some late injuries, and all sorts of load and travel management, it will be another chaotic Wednesday evening. That is what makes it fun.
Oh and don't worry, we will have plenty more on Slack, social media, and yes MORE! Good luck out there.
With some expected late in the day news on Wednesday, the idea is to wait a bit.
NHL Player News and Updates
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
