Straight to the DFS this weekend – again, there are plenty of earlier options to fill my platter of prop bets, but for a DraftKings lineup I'll focus on the six matchups that drop the pucks at 7 pm Eastern or later. 

Anchors away!

Columbus Blue Jackets @ San Jose Sharks.  No, these teams don't TRY to lose, and this clash with the Macklin Celebrini pick in play?  Well, I expect entertainment. Columbus does have their all-star center Boone Jenner ($5700), while the toothless Sharks are missing both Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, throwing Mikael Granlund ($5400) back into the deep end. 23-year-old Columbus rookie Dmitri Voronkov ($4200) has been centering the second line, along with Kent Johnson ($3000) and Kirill Marchenko ($4900).  Zach Werenski ($6100), who's signed with the Jackets through 2027-28, has four points, 17 shots, and over 26 minutes of average ice time in five games since his return from injury on January 25. 

Why would I highlight the bottom-feeders? First, they're a source of value for their positions.  Unlike Yahoo's DFS system, DraftKings doesn't reward or punish you for +/- stats.  Finally, it's not like these are 1-0 contests – you've just got to pick the winning side and go. Obviously, I chose the visitors on this one. Their three days of rest (practice?) compares to the Sharks having played twice in western Canada and flying home Friday morning.

Take me out to the (hockey) game

Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils. It would be a disservice to ignore the outdoor game – which is one of two this weekend. I watched the Philly at Toronto game Thursday, and was impressed by the Fly-guys' intensity and speed. The Flyers are also on a five-game point streak (4-0-1), so of course I'll predict a New Jersey victory. I've not played Luke Hughes ($3800) all season – but this value pick was irresistible. And you might strongly consider the Hughes (Jack – $8700) trifecta, but maybe settle for Timo Meier ($4600), who's finally putting up assists and shots – the goals will come.  Nico Hischier ($5600), who has the most 2024 points for the Devils?  He'll be pestered and forechecked all night.  Pass on the two young netminders playing in MetLife stadium – different lines, different lights. Take the "over," it's better TV. (No conspiracy theory here, tho.)

Get to the red meat. Best matchup?

Carolina Hurricanes @ Las Vegas Golden Knights.  Rest vs. rust? The Canes played Friday night in Arizona, the second of a three-game road trip. The Knights have had just three contests since January 27, fewest in the NHL over that extended All-Star span. (Columbus, three games since January 28 – see the connection here?)  A lot of bruises and sore backs and knees have healed, and their lineup is poised for a stretch run.  Mark Stone ($5800) has surprised "experts" by having played in all 53 of Vegas' games and has 52 points. That he's on the second line even with Jack Eichel out, says a lot about the Knights' depth. Consider also Nick Roy ($4200), on a seven-game point streak (11 points), playing in Eichel's top-line center spot. Roy isn't available in any of my fantasy leagues, but Yahoo stats say he's just 13% owned. Doubling down on Vegas – Jonathan Marchessault ($7000) and Adin Hill ($7400). 

The all-important first goal (redux)

Early in the season, I documented in one of my articles that the NHL team scoring the SECOND goal of a game was statistically more likely to win than was the team scoring first. This seemed to contradict the common belief – at least of play-by-play announcers – in that first goal being "all-important."  So I ran the numbers again for the month of January 2024. 

Of 207 NHL contests, the winning side scored first 132 times. That's a surprisingly low 63.8%.  There were four 1-0 games, so removing these leaves 203 games. The team scoring that second marker got two points on 144 occasions, or 70.9%.  Interestingly, there were 19 times (just over 9%) when the winner rebounded from an 0-2 start. The New York Rangers were the outlier here, having three of these from January 21-27. But the "all-important" thing needs to go. 

Last week

I had the Pens vs. Jets for the "under" – three goals scored. Tampa over Columbus, Kings to beat Oilers, Flyers over Kraken, all on the winning side.  No, Brayden Point was a miss, but I still got a lineup win. My side bet (Bruins) took away the profit – so even for the weekend. 

My lineup for Saturday night

Centers – Jenner, Roy

Wings – Marchessault, Stone, Meier

Defense – Quinn Hughes ($6900 vs WPG), Luke Hughes

Goalie – Hill

Utility – Voronkov

Good luck, everyone!