There are seven games on the NHL DFS slate Thursday, so there are plenty of strong options at SuperDraft. The slate gets underway at 7 p.m. ET, and there are three late games that start at 10. It’s more important than ever to keep an eye on news at this time of the season. We’ve seen several players get scratched late, so have a close eye on things. If you have any questions, reach out @chrismeaney.
Below you’ll see a few of my top plays at each position followed by a few others to consider at SuperDraft. Most of my attention will be on the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. If you’re looking to be contrarian in larger fields, consider the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders.
Center
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes vs. MTL (1x multiplier)
Aho only has a 1x multiplier on SuperDraft, but he’s still a very strong play. The Carolina Hurricanes are -400 favorites against the 7-21-4 Montreal Canadiens. This Habs team isn’t nearly the same one that went to the Stanley Cup Finals six months ago or the one that lost 4-1 to Carolina Oct. 21. They are without several regulars and enter Thursday with 13 players in the COVID-19 protocols. Over the last six weeks, the Canadiens rank inside the top three in shot attempts (third), shots (first), scoring chances (first) and high-danger chances (second) allowed at 5v5/60. They have a league-high 3.0 xGA/60 over that span. Aho has 15 goals and 32 points in 26 games, including two goals and three points with five shots on goal in his only game against the Habs this season. You can play him solo or with Teuvo Teravainen and Nino Niederreiter. Or take a look at the second line with Vincent Trocheck and Andrei Svechnikov.
Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks vs. PHI (1.5x)
The Sharks are my second-favorite stack after the Hurricanes, as they get a Flyers team on the second half of a back-to-back. Since Nov. 15, the Flyers have allowed a league-high 61.9 shot attempts and they rank inside the top five in shots, high-danger chances and scoring chances at 5v5. Couture scored a goal and added an assist in a game earlier this week which saw his Sharks put up eight goals. The Sharks’ captain has three goals and seven points in his last six games. Play Couture with Timo Meier.
Others to consider
Brayden Point Vincent Trocheck Tomas Hertl Mathew Barzal Anze Kopitar
Winger
Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers vs. TB (2x)
The Florida Panthers improved to a league-best 15-3 on home ice Wednesday night, and they’ve played to the over in 12 of those games. They have the highest team-implied total on the slate despite a tough matchup against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs. No word yet on if Andrei Vasilevskiy will suit up tonight or if it’ll be Maxime Legace, who let in four goals on 31 shots against Montreal this week. If it’s Legace you can feel great about the Panthers in cash. I’d still consider them if it’s Vasilevskiy. Bennett has been quiet of late, which is why we’re getting a 2x multiplier.
Nino Niederreiter, Carolina Hurricanes vs. MTL (2x)
Niederreiter’s 2x multiplier makes up for Aho’s 1 as both will skate on the first line tonight. Niederreiter has three goals and 11 shots in his last four games since getting promoted to the top line. He has 11 points over his last 11 games and he’s hit the scoresheet in eight of those games.
Others to consider
Teuvo Teravainen Timo Meier Andrei Svechnikov Steven Stamkos Jonathan Huberdeau Alex Killorn (with Point) Filip Forsberg Matthew Tkachuk Johnny Gaudreau Adrian Kempe
Defense
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers vs. TB (1.7x)
Ekblad was held without a point and a shot Wednesday during 26:41 of ice time. That’s pretty rare for Ekblad, considering he has eight goals, 24 points and 94 shots in 29 games this season. Maybe the scoreless showing will keep people off him. As mentioned, his Panthers have the highest expected goals for rate tonight and this Florida and Tampa Bay game is the only with a total of 6.5.
Others to consider
Victor Hedman Tony DeAngelo Erik Karlsson Drew Doughty Noah Dobson
Goalie to consider
Antti Raanta Jacob Markstrom Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov
This article expresses the personal views of the writer and does not reflect the view(s) of SuperDraft in any way.
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