NHL DFS Picks: Hot and Cold Players (June 4th)
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NHL DFS Picks
The NHL DFS landscape can be best described based on runs of success. Typically, these constitute three, four, and five-game runs but some players have strung along with longer bouts of success or futility. With the playoffs upon us, runs will be a little less than usual because of the staggered playoff series starts. We take a look at some of the best and worst of the last week.
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Heating Up The NHL DFS World
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TAM -- Goalie) -- Andrei Vasilevskiy did look human for a bit in Game 3 as he allowed three goals including two from Sebastian Aho. He still leads all playoff goalies, at press time, with six wins and 302 shots stopped. His goals saved above average is still at +4.5 and again Carolina is a team that routinely comes in around the 35-shot mark. That means a potential DraftKings save bonus and not having to always rely on a win. In the playoffs, it is more about the potential to stop more shots and so far, Vasilevskiy leads in that department at nearly 34 per contest.
Philipp Grubauer (COL -- Goalie) -- The goaltender has been the most consistent and going six for six in wins does help. He has yielded just 10 goals on 176 shots and leads all goaltenders in goals-against average at 1.66 and save percentage at .943. He stopped 39 of 41 shots on Wednesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Philipp Grubauer was also named a Vezina Award finalist this week for best goaltender along with Tampa's Vasilevskiy.
Mikko Rantanen (COL -- Right Wing) -- The leading scorer for the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs is still Nathan MacKinnon but Mikko Rantanen is fully healthy and scoring clutch goals for Colorado as well. He has three goals and ten points in six playoff games including two game-winning goals (Game 2 against Vegas). In this second season, Rantanen is averaging a career-high four shots a game and over three scoring chances a night. Vegas is having an extremely tough time matching up against the Colorado top line and Rantanen is benefitting even more than MacKinnon now.
Nick Suzuki (MTL -- Center) -- Few expects Montreal to still be in the playoffs but here they are. Nick Suzuki has been a big reason why along with Cole Caufield and Jesper Kotkaniemi. The trio has combined for 11 playoff points. Suzuki now has points in his last four games and that included a clutch game-winning goal in the last series against Toronto. Suzuki may have just seven shots in the last four games but does have eight scoring chances.
Sebastian Aho (CAR -- Center) -- The center scored two goals in Game 3 against Tampa Bay including the game-winner. That gives him six goals and ten points in nine games these playoffs. Aho is also averaging nearly four shots a game and more than three scoring chances per night. With Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen flanking him, expect Aho to remain among the playoff leaders in points.
Cooling Off The NHL DFS World
Dougie Hamilton (CAR -- Defenseman) -- It is apparent that maybe Tampa Bay has read a few scouting reports on Dougie Hamilton. The Carolina defenseman has no points in three games so far in Round 2. Furthermore, he only has 11 shots on goal. He had 32 in six games versus the Nashville Predators in Round 1. Consider that three of Hamilton's four points came in the two final games of the Nashville series and maybe Hamilton is far from done. However, the early lack of production in the series is a slight concern.
Reilly Smith (VGK -- Right Wing) -- There is some hope as Reilly Smith scored on Wednesday night but he has just one point in his last six games and just eight shots in that span. This includes just five scoring chances. When a top-six player is averaging less than one scoring chance a night in the playoffs, that is troubling. The second line for Vegas needs to start generating more against Colorado if they expect to get back in the series.
Alex Pietrangelo (VGK -- Defenseman) -- The Vegas defenseman is also struggling with no goals on 32 shots and just three helpers this postseason. He, at least, has a little floor upside averaging two blocks a game to go along with his 3.6 shots per night. However, more was expected from the top defenseman in Vegas. Alex Pietrangelo has just two assists in his last seven games with zero power-play points.
Chris Wassel
Chris is a passionate hockey writer who writes everything from features to daily fantasy to sports betting. Hockey is the main name of the game. From being a regular on The Sweat to doing things with Dobberhockey and beyond, the goal is the same -- provide quality content with a good deal of edge. When one has written for the last 15 years or so, the realization that adaptation is essential is obvious. From Twitter, the goal is to take on all questions and bring it to the FantasyData arena. Let's get started!