This Wednesday is busier than usual for the NHL, perhaps in preparation for the looming All-Star break. Hey, that’s good for DFS purposes! You have seven games worth of players to pick from, and here are my names to target, and to avoid, for your DFS lineups.
GOALIE
Joey Daccord, SEA vs. CHI ($24): Daccord has given the Kraken not just stability in net, but straight-up success. He’s posted a 2.33 GAA and .922 save percentage in taking over as the top netminder for Seattle. Chicago, sans Connor Bedard, is legitimately threatening to somehow fall below San Jose in terms of goals per game. The Blackhawks have managed a paltry 2.17 GAA.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jeremy Swayman, BOS vs. CAR ($39): In theory, Swayman won’t even be starting, as Linus Ullmark is back from his injury. However, he looked iffy in his return, so I do wonder if maybe Swayman will be the primary goalie for now. Either way, I would eschew him on my roster against the Hurricanes. They have averaged 3.40 goals, which is quite good, but they have also put 33.4 shots on net per game, which is fifth best in the NHL.
CENTER
Phillip Danault, LOS vs. BUF ($19): Danault has been held without a point for three games in a row, but prior to that he was on a six-game point streak. He’s been a 50-point guy for a couple seasons, so his ability to contribute offensively is established. The Sabres are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back, and Devon Levi was recently called up from AHL. In the NHL this year he’s posted an .889 save percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
John Tavares, TOR vs. WPG ($26): Tavares doesn’t need a hard sell as a quality player. Even this year, on the whole, he’s been good. However, the Maple Leafs captain is on an eight-game point streak. Even though Laurent Brossoit, who is getting the call in net Wednesday, plays rarely, he has a .925 save percentage over the last two seasons.
WING
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at TOR ($26): Ehlers throws pucks at the net with gusto. He’s put 75 shots on target over his last 20 games, and putting pucks on goal is just about the best thing a wing can do. The Dane has also been producing, with 20 points over those 20 games. Ilya Samsonov will be starting Wednesday, and his .866 save percentage bodes well for Ehlers.
Ilya Mikheyev, VAN vs. STL ($13): The Canucks lack for secondary scoring, though that hasn’t slowed them down much, but Mikheyev has 10 goals and 13 assists in 43 games, which is something. This is mostly about the matchup, though. The Blues are on the road…