Oh my. Another NHL season is already underway, and I hope your fantasy drafts went better than my last one. Trying to beat the clock in round 8, I typed in B J O R and accidentally rested my thumb on the edge of my phone… BJORNFOT instead of the Seattle first-liner. Yeah.

DFS. I'm going to intentionally start the year on Yahoo's site, for anyone who may be new to the process, although I'll switch to Fantrax starting November – and then I'm happy to take feedback after that. There are some instructions for first timers, too.

The game is to choose 2 Centers, 3 wings (left/right doesn't matter), 2 defensemen and 2 goalkeepers from that day's games, then accrue the most points. Players chosen have different "costs" and you must stay under the "fantasy" $200 limit.

Yahoo's scoring system is to award skaters 6 points for a goal, 4 for an assist, 2 for a power-play point, 0.9 per shot taken, and 1 for each blocked shot. But one key to winning $$ is that +/- counts heavily: 2 points for each +1, and MINUS 2 for each -1. So Arizona guys vs Colorado? You get the idea. Goalkeepers, +0.6 for each save, -3 for goals against, +5 for Win, -3 for loss, +3 for shutout. The goalie can obviously make or break you.

Oh, yeah – you must take players from at least three teams.

For the bettor, there are several games. You can bet a quarter, or $100. I'll always say that DFS should add FUN and excitement, and never put you in a hole. Just like Vegas, the house tends to take their cut, and most beginners lose. But it might well make you a better fan.

Let's run through the process – on Tuesday there are only two games, and both should be entertaining and good hockey. But you need two goalies from the four teams. For me, I'm going to believe in Igor Shesterkin (costs $33) over Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Logan Thompson (cheaper at $30) to beat the Kings. That leaves me $137 for 7 skaters, right?

📢 advertisement:

I'll pick two high-priced stars (Eichel, $26 and Panarin, $27), and one "cheap" wing (Branden Hagel, $10). For defensemen, Jacob Trouba ($17) and Alex Pietrangelo ($20). My math says $37 left, so I'll go with Vince Trocheck ($17), and Jonathan Marchessault ($20).

You'll notice I go "all in" on two teams. A little here and there will usually give me "average" results, and not a money return. Spectacularly good just once will cover your losing bets for a while.

Good luck!