Welcome back, after a crazy start to the NHL season that's seen 2023-24 playoff teams Colorado and Nashville each start off 0-4-0 (Avs getting first win last night), and the written-off Calgary Flames unbeaten and leading the Pacific Division. Including overtimes, the defending Cup champion Florida Panthers have lost as many games (three) as Tampa, Toronto, and Boston combined. The Colorado Avalanche have a team save percentage of .804. For comparison, the Sharks' team save percentage is .882, six fewer goals allowed on nearly 50 more shots. Yaroslav Askarov is tied for the most goalie wins on his team (oops). But I digress. Here are views and options for this evening's DFS plays, and my still-fearless personal lineup. 

The Elephant in the Room

New York Rangers at Toronto Maple Leafs

Go ahead – tell us that hockey fans, fantasy or otherwise, won't be tuned in here. It's THE game tonight. Artemi Panarin ($8800) has led the Blueshirts thus far, but less betting money gets you Vincent Trocheck ($6800), who's also been hot. Both of these players had four-point outbursts against Detroit on Thursday. Adam Fox ($6600) and Mika Zibanejad ($6200) have started the season with less fire with six assists and three overall points, respectively. Igor Shesterkin ($7400) will surely get the start, and I've never seen his fantasy cost to be lower than his opposing netminder, even under the prices for Arturs Silovs ($7800), Samuel Ersson ($7500), or top-cost Ilya Sorokin ($8500). Tough to resist, as Shesterkin plays to justify his rumored $12 million AAV salary demand. 

For the Leafs, after both started the season with multiple goose eggs, Auston Matthews ($9200) finally awakened with three points (1G, 2A) on Wednesday versus the Kings, and William Nylander ($7000) has silenced critics with four points in his past two matches.  Both true, though I'm not putting them into a lineup against the Rangers, even on home ice. A better play for the value could be Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($3900), whose four-game stats are three points, 15 SOG, and 5 blocks.

Where's the defense?

Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders

With Mike Matheson ($6300, average 25:40 TOI before his injury) playing hurt or possibly out, the Habs defense corps could fall to David Savard ($3600, no points and -6 +/-) and five players at or below 23 years of age – and four of these are waivers-exempt! Lane Hutson ($3600) is offensively gifted for the future, but we're talking defensive holes now that the Islanders can exploit. Youthful D-men make positional mistakes, resulting in power-play chances for their opponents. Stack Bo Horvat ($6000), Mat Barzal ($5600), and Noah Dobson ($5800).  No, the Isles aren't an explosive scoring machine, but this is a great opportunity at home, while Sam Montembeault ($6900) is hung out to dry. 

Fourth line magic?

Boston Bruins at Utah Hockey Club

When you stack a DFS lineup with top-six players, you also need to find value (spelled c-h-e-a-p) to fill the squad. Enter Boston's fourth line. Mark Kastelic ($3100), Cole Koepke ($2600), and John Beecher ($2600) each share the team's scoring lead (five points) with….David Pastrnak ($9300), and will likely outplay a Utah bottom six that's weaker. But it's hard to imagine their success will be sustained, so I rostered Trent Frederic (also $3100), playing up on line two opposite Brad Marchand ($5700). Recent defensive injuries to Sean Durzi and John Marino should maximize the mismatch here.  Mikhail Sergachev ($5400) and Ian Cole ($2800) will be busy with the Bruins' top stars, hoping for counterattacks. I do like the "under 6 goals" for this contest, considering the quality goalies of Jeremy Swayman ($8200) and Connor Ingram ($7100).

Under the radar

Calgary Flames at Seattle Kraken

Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks

As we all cool off, and settle our collective heart rates after the Rangers/Leafs overtime (?), don't forget those projected non-playoff contests still ongoing.  The Flames, surprisingly 4-0-0, lose tonight to Joey Daccord ($8000) and the Kraken. Consider Seattle team captain Jordan Eberle ($4200), who's quietly potted four goals in his last four games, for the offensive stats.

In the Windy City, Buffalo bounces back from back-to-back beatings (you like the alliteration, right?) to best the Blackhawks behind Bowen Byram ($3300). Ok, that's a stretch – how about Alex Tuch ($6300), the team leader in both points and blocked shots? JJ Peterka ($5800) has three goals in two games since his return from a concussion, and Dylan Cozens ($4800) leads all NHL centers with 22 shots on net – but no goals. They'll come. On defense, Byram does have more points than either of those first-overall teammates (three vs. two) but has been credited with just two shots. Pass. Also, maybe Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen ($7700 – but more than Shesterkin!) as a fantasy starter in net. 

Last week

If I HAD picked Chicago to beat the Oilers, and Columbus to put in six while defeating the Avalanche, I believe my DobberHockey editor would have sent those guys in white coats to my door. Instead, that lineup just lost. Badly. The Senators were of no assistance either. Even Lukas Dostal's 30-save shutout didn't save me. So maybe I'm already due?

Again, the DraftKings rules:  $50,000 fantasy money to choose nine players.  Goals, assists, shots, power-play points, and blocks figure into the skaters' total scoring.

My lineup

Centers – Trocheck and Horvat

Wings – Barzal, Eberle, Frederic

Defensemen – Dobson and Quinn Hughes ($6200) at Philadelphia. Plenty of power-play opportunities against a Tortorella team! 

Utility Skater – Cozens

Goalie – Shesterkin

Yes, I WAS in the arena Wednesday for Sidney Crosby's 1600th point and Geno Malkin's 500th goal. If you have the opportunity, live events far outshine the television. Good luck this weekend – with both fantasy and reality.