NHL DFS Picks: Hot and Cold Players (May 21st)
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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
Alex Nedeljkovic (CAR -- Goalie) -- Alex Nedeljkovic was one of our players to watch going into the playoffs. Rod Brind'amour rewarded those who were patient by giving him the start in Game 1. The Carolina goaltender was steady in net stopping 22 of 24 shots in the win. Few probably expected a 30+ save shutout in Game 2 where Nedeljkovic stopped all eight high-danger scoring chances from the Nashville Predators. To think, this player was put on waivers earlier in the season because of those taxi squad rules. Maybe the future is now in Carolina.
Mark Stone (VGK -- Right Wing) -- The winger misses running mate Max Pacioretty but with Minnesota up 2-0 in Game 3, Stone responded and in a big way. He scored twice including the first and last goal of the evening as Vegas scored a resounding 5-2 win that left a mark on Minnesota and their psyche. Stone had five shots on goal and four scoring chances. He created havoc much like he did in Game 2 but the execution came along for the ride. He now has three points in three games.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL -- Center) -- The leading scorer for the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs is naturally Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon scored a hat trick on Wednesday night after delivering a couple of goals on Monday night. Home cooking was very good for the forward. He has five goals and two assists to go along with ten shots and nine scoring chances in the two games versus St. Louis. With the Blues having many injury and depth issues, Colorado has continued its up-tempo style which creates more DFS opportunities and not just for MacKinnon. While this trend may not continue at this rate, the center is going to continue to get chances.
Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA -- Left Wing) -- The expectation was to see Aleksander Barkov here but that is not the case. Huberdeau cranked out three more assists in a wild 6-5 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. That kept Florida in the best of seven series. Overall, the Florida left-winger now has a goal and five assists in three games. Huberdeau may only have seven shots on goal but he does have ten scoring chances. If the chances keep coming, the points likely will as well.
Jonathan Huberdeau assisted on tonight’s opening goal for the @FlaPanthers, his 10th career playoff point. He became the ninth player in franchise history to reach the mark – a list that also includes teammate Aleksander Barkov. #StanleyCup #NHLStats: https://t.co/lcUxVWDwRc pic.twitter.com/u7PQ88OVfR
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 20, 2021
Sebastian Aho (CAR -- Center) -- The center simply had two goals in Game 2 and has 12 shots with ten scoring chances in two games. If he keeps averaging even five shots a game, the Carolina pivot will be worth it on DraftKings alone. He and Taylor Hall (two goals) were neck and neck for this final slot. Aho has a little more upside going against a Nashville penalty kill that ranked 29th in the NHL at just over 75%.
Cooling Off The NHL DFS World
Nicklas Backstrom (WSH -- Center) -- It is becoming apparent that something is off with Nicklas Backstrom. What that is could be anyone's guess? He has no points in three games with just five shots on goal and three scoring chances. Most of those have been on Washington's man-advantage too. At 5-on-5, the center looks overwhelmed at times and almost pedestrian. This is starting to look like last year's playoff run where Backstrom had just one assist in five games on just seven shots.
Florida and Tampa Bay goaltending -- This is rare but it is probably a good idea for one's sanity if they stay away from any Florida or Tampa Bay goaltender until this series is over. Last night alone saw 11 combined goals and Game 1 saw nine more. There was that Game 2 where Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped all but one shot. However, that may be the exception more often than not. Better options can be found almost anywhere else as this series may remind some of the fantasy hockey nightmares that was the 2012 "Battle Of Pennsylvania".
Kirill Kaprizov (MIN -- Left Wing) -- Welcome to the NHL Playoffs, rookie! The projected Calder Trophy winner has been introduced to the second season in grand style by the Vegas Golden Knights. Kaprizov, in three games, has one secondary assist so far. Only six of his 14 shot attempts have hit the net. Yes, space is more limited during the playoffs but no one expected Kaprizov to be contained so easily by Vegas. Maybe things will change soon but the Golden Knights did win the Jennings Trophy (least goals allowed) for a reason. They also allowed the fourth-fewest shots per game at 27.3 and had the league's best penalty kill.
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!